Breaking News: Greek Asylum Policies Under Scrutiny
Athens, Greece – Bashir, a Syrian refugee, faces the possibility of being ordered to return to Syria. He has lived in Greece since 2014 and recently welcomed a son with his wife. After years of hard work and learning Greek, he had begun to feel stable in his new life.
Two months ago, Greek authorities requested Bashir to explain why he should remain in Greece. His asylum case, granted in 2015 due to the Syrian civil war, was reopened following the war’s end in December 2024. Bashir’s lawyer noted that only men, particularly from Syria and Afghanistan, are currently receiving such notices.
Concerns about safety in Syria and Afghanistan persist. Bashir’s lawyer stated that many asylum cases are being rejected, and new policies are tightening protections for these nationalities. Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris indicated a shift towards stricter asylum policies, particularly against Muslim migrants.
Greece revoked nearly 200 asylum statuses last year, with more cases under review. This has raised alarms among refugees who fear returning to unsafe conditions. The situation remains fluid as Greece navigates new European migration policies.
