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EU border agency investigates Greece over alleged migrant rights violations

Migrants walk to enter Greece from Turkey by crossing the Maritsa River, 1 March, 2020
Migrants walk to enter Greece from Turkey by crossing the Maritsa River, 1 March, 2020 Copyright  AP Photo
Copyright AP Photo
By Gavin Blackburn with AP
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Greece has come under increased international scrutiny and criticism from human rights groups following a migrant boat sinking in 2023 off its southern coast that killed hundreds.

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The European Union's border protection agency has said it is investigating multiple alleged human rights violations by Greece in the way it deals with illegal immigration.

Frontex said it is looking into 12 alleged serious incidents that mostly occurred in 2024 but gave no further details.

Frontex spokesperson Chris Borowski said the agency had recently boosted its complaint mechanism.

"There are currently 12 active Serious Incident Reports related to Greece under review by the Fundamental Rights Office. Each is being examined thoroughly," he said.

There has been no immediate response from the Greek government.

Greece has come under increased international scrutiny and criticism from human rights groups following a migrant boat sinking in 2023 off its southern coast that killed hundreds.

In a January ruling, the European Court of Human Rights described Greece's use of summary expulsions of migrants, or "pushbacks," as being systematic.

Greece's government denies those allegations, maintaining that its coast guard has rescued more than 250,000 migrants in accidents or distress at sea and that it acts within the law and international obligations.

The government says it actively deters illegal crossings to its eastern islands, a major entry point for illegal migration into the European Union, but does not carry out summary deportations.

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