EU Urged to Take Punitive Action Against Greece Over Migrant Human Rights Violations

EU Urged to Take Punitive Action Against Greece Over Migrant Human Rights Violations
April 25, 2025

According to a report by Anadolu Agency, a senior official from Frontex, the European Union’s border agency, has called for punitive measures against Greece over repeated human rights violations against migrants. The official stated that Greece should be held accountable for repeatedly engaging in the "pushback" of migrants — forcibly returning them from the border.

Jonas Grimheden, Frontex’s Fundamental Rights Officer, made these remarks in a recent interview with the European political news outlet Politico and the German daily Welt. He said Greece’s ongoing conduct has placed Frontex in a difficult position — it must either suspend its mission in Greece or formally request the European Commission to launch infringement proceedings against Greece for breaking EU law.

However, Grimheden noted that suspending the mission may not be a realistic option, as it would leave a gap in monitoring Greece’s border situation. Instead, he emphasized the need for intervention by the European Commission.

“There has to be some sort of consequence,” Grimheden said. “The Commission has the authority to launch infringement procedures against any member state.”

He further suggested that the Commission could tie EU funding to Greece’s progress in upholding human rights. In other words, Greece’s access to EU border assistance funds could depend on how much it improves its human rights record.

These statements come at a time when multiple international human rights organizations have accused Greece of mistreating migrants. While the Greek government has consistently denied these allegations, Frontex’s comments could place renewed pressure on Athens.