Key Takeaways
• European Court ruled Greece committed illegal migrant pushbacks to Turkey, naming it a systematic practice in January 2025.
• Greece violated Articles 3 and 13 of the European Convention, awarding €20,000 to a Turkish woman deported without due process.
• Ruling pressures Greece and the EU, influencing future border policies and requiring fair asylum procedures for migrants.
The European Court of Human Rights recently delivered a groundbreaking judgment against Greece 🇬🇷, confirming that the country has carried out systematic illegal deportations, also known as “pushbacks,” of migrants to Turkey 🇹🇷. This historic ruling, issued in January 2025, holds Greece publicly responsible for a practice it has long denied, changing the landscape for how European countries must handle migrants and asylum seekers at their borders.
ECHR Ruling: What Happened and Why It Matters
The European Court of Human Rights found that Greece unlawfully deported a Turkish woman, referred to as A.R.E., after she crossed the border from Turkey into the Evros region of Greece. The Court said that Greek authorities did not allow her even to request asylum. Instead, she was detained without a fair procedure or an assessment of whether she would face harm if forced to return to Turkey.
Most importantly, the Court viewed the way Greece detained and removed this woman as a form of “enforced disappearance.” This is a serious charge, as it means someone was held in secret by government officials, hidden from the courts and outside contact. In its decision, the Court awarded €20,000 in damages to the woman, making clear that actions like these go against the core values set out in the European Convention on Human Rights.
This case is just one from a group of 47 complaints sent to the European Court of Human Rights against Greece between January and December 2021. It marks the first time Greece has been directly called out for a policy it has denied in public. The judgment also formally recognized that there was a systematic pattern of pushbacks by Greek authorities from the Evros border region back to Turkey. The court emphasized:
“There were strong indications to suggest that there had existed, at the time of the events alleged, a systematic practice of ‘pushbacks’ of third-country nationals by the Greek authorities, from the Evros region (on the Greek border) to Turkey.”
Legal Background: Violations of European Law
The European Court of Human Rights found that Greece broke Articles 3 and 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 3 bans torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. Article 13 ensures that people have an effective remedy before the courts if their rights are violated.
Not allowing migrants to ask for asylum, detaining them without proper oversight, and sending them back to possible danger crosses the line set by these legal protections. For many, this judgment confirms what human rights groups have said for years: that Greece’s attempts to keep migrants out have sometimes gone too far and broken the law.
Greece’s Struggles With Migration
Greece, as an entry point at the edge of the European Union, has faced heavy pressure as migrants arrived in large numbers, especially in recent years. In 2024, the country recorded over 60,000 migrants arriving without permission, which was nearly a 50% jump in sea arrivals compared to the 18 months before. This surge pushed Greek authorities to repeat their calls for stricter policies to manage migration.
Despite these pressures, Greece has not stopped all legal migration. Data shows that in the last five years, over 140,000 asylum applications were approved. In 2024 alone, more than 40,000 migrants were granted protected status, which allows them to stay in the country legally. At the end of that year, nearly 84,000 people held permanent protection residence permits, and over 32,500 had temporary permits.
Still, Greece’s approach to border security—especially along its land border with Turkey—has drawn criticism. Migrant groups, legal experts, and the European Court of Human Rights have all expressed concern about the country’s use of pushbacks rather than fair processing for everyone who arrives. Greece 🇬🇷, however, continues to argue that strict border controls are essential to keep the country and the broader EU secure.
The EU’s Stance and Policy Changes
The European Union has struggled to find a common way to deal with migration, with countries like Greece calling for more help and stricter rules. The EU’s commissioner for migration, Magnus Brunner, visited Athens in January 2025 and made it clear that organized deportations are a top priority for the EU’s executive leadership. He also spoke about the EU’s new Migration and Asylum Pact, which aims to set out clearer ways for managing who gets to stay in Europe and how migrants will be relocated among member countries.
Brunner’s remarks followed ongoing tensions between the EU and Greece over how migrants are treated. Back in 2022, the European Union’s then top migration official, Ylva Johansson, warned Greece 🇬🇷 that violent deportations of migrants had to stop. She said, “Protecting the EU external border from illegal entry is an obligation. Violent and illegal deportations of migrants must stop, now.”
The EU has also suggested in the past that ignoring its migration rules could mean losing funding for border security and other support. This pressure, together with the recent judgment from the European Court of Human Rights, is expected to shape how Greece responds at its borders in the months ahead.
The Wider Impact of the ECHR Decision
The decision by the European Court of Human Rights will affect not just Greece, but also the wider European Union. For countries facing higher numbers of border crossings, the ruling serves as a warning that the rights of everyone, including migrants and asylum seekers, must be respected at all times.
The ruling also puts new pressure on the EU as it finalizes and enforces its migration pact. With member states divided on how to handle border issues, the judgment makes it clear that legal standards—even in tough situations—cannot be ignored.
For migrants, the ruling should mean greater protection against secret removals and unfair treatment at Europe’s borders. For human rights groups, it is a sign that the courts are listening to their concerns. For Greek officials, it is a strong reminder that international law must shape their border policies, even as they look for ways to manage the challenges of migration.
How the Decision Affects Deportations in Europe
The court’s ruling is expected to influence how other European countries manage deportations. It sends the message that pushing people across borders without checks or access to fair legal procedures can lead to serious consequences. The case also raises important questions about what is—and is not—allowed when countries defend their borders.
In another related development, Germany’s top court recently ruled that returning healthy, single male migrants back to Greece does not break human rights rules, even though some refugee groups say these returnees face tough living conditions in Greece. The contrast between these court decisions shows that legal interpretations on migration and deportations can still differ from country to country, even within the EU.
However, the European Court of Human Rights’ decision against Greece 🇬🇷 stands out because it addresses a pattern of pushbacks and highlights the need for every country to respect international agreements, no matter the circumstances. This clarity is likely to shape European border policy for years to come.
Differences in Views and Ongoing Debate
Not everyone agrees on how to deal with migration and deportations. Some EU member countries, especially those along the main migration routes, argue that strict measures are needed to handle the high numbers of arrivals. They worry about border security, the cost of hosting asylum seekers, and social impacts. Supporters of tough rules point to the sharp increase in arrivals, citing the 60,000 people who entered Greece illegally in 2024 as a key example.
Others—including many rights groups and some officials in the EU—say that Europe’s values require a fair and humane approach for all migrants, whatever the pressures. They argue that fair asylum processes, protection from harm, and respect for human rights must come first. The European Court of Human Rights’ ruling is a win for this view, as it confirms that legal protections apply even in crowded or difficult border regions.
The debate over migration and deportations is likely to keep growing as conflicts, economic trouble, and climate change push more people to seek safety or better lives in Europe. How the Greek government, the EU, and its courts respond will influence both public opinion and the experience of migrants on the ground.
What Does This Mean for Migrants?
For people hoping to claim asylum or reach safety in Europe, this decision offers some hope. It underlines that nobody can be forced out of a country without a chance to explain their situation or ask for protection. Migrants are supposed to get a chance to tell their stories and prove they need help. In practice, though, the reality at Europe’s busiest borders can be very different.
The European Court of Human Rights has made clear that secret deportations—especially through pushbacks at land or sea borders—are unacceptable. That doesn’t mean all deportations will stop. But it does mean that all governments must follow fair procedures and look at each person’s risk of harm if sent back. This is especially important in places like the Evros border, where reports of rapid forced returns have been common.
Next Steps for Greece and the EU
Greece now faces a choice. It can keep defending its actions, or it can work to bring its policies into line with the European Court’s demands. This could mean new training for border guards, better legal help for arriving migrants, and more oversight of how deportations are carried out.
For the EU, the challenge is to make sure its new Migration and Asylum Pact fits with human rights law. Officials will need to work closely with all member countries to prevent problems like those found in Greece. At the same time, the EU must respond to rising concerns about border pressures and the need for orderly arrivals.
For migrants and their legal teams, this ruling gives new support for fighting pushbacks and unfair deportations. It strengthens claims that governments must offer a fair process and protection from harm at every stage.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Migration Policy
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that the January 2025 ruling from the European Court of Human Rights could mark a turning point for how Europe handles migration and border security. By holding Greece accountable for illegal deportations, the Court has set a clear expectation for all European governments to respect human rights, even in times of crisis.
As the debate continues, the story of Greece and its pushbacks shows the tension between protecting borders and respecting law. The ruling doesn’t offer simple answers but gives hope that fairness and dignity can be part of Europe’s future approach to migrants.
For official information and further updates on Greece’s migration and asylum policies, readers can visit the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum. As Europe faces new challenges in the coming years, keeping legal rights and human dignity at the center of migration policy will remain more important than ever.
Learn Today
Pushbacks → The act of forcibly returning migrants across borders without allowing them to request asylum or review their cases.
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) → The top court overseeing human rights compliance among Council of Europe member states, interpreting the European Convention.
Article 3 → Provision in the European Convention banning torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by any state.
Asylum → Protection granted to foreign nationals fleeing persecution or harm in their home countries under international law.
Enforced Disappearance → Detention or abduction by authorities, with the refusal to acknowledge their fate or whereabouts under official supervision.
This Article in a Nutshell
The European Court of Human Rights declared in January 2025 that Greece systematically conducted illegal pushbacks of migrants to Turkey, violating international law. This decision demands Greece overhaul its border practices, heightens EU scrutiny, and signals stronger protections for asylum seekers across Europe, significantly reshaping migration and deportation policies continent-wide.
— By VisaVerge.com
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