Frontex urges EU to punish Greece over migrant pushbacks

The EU’s border agency is pushing for disciplinary action against Greece over ongoing migrant pushbacks, citing repeated human rights abuses and calling for potential infringement proceedings by the European Commission.

The European Union’s border agency, Frontex, is urging the European Commission to take disciplinary action against Greece for its continued pushbacks of migrants, a practice deemed illegal under international law.

Fundamental Rights Officer Jonas Grimheden told POLITICO and WELT that Frontex is weighing two options in response to Greece’s conduct: suspending its mission in the country or formally requesting that Brussels open infringement proceedings.

“If Frontex were to leave Greece, there would no longer be any way to learn how the authorities are dealing with arriving migrants,” Grimheden said, emphasizing that the agency’s continued presence ensures monitoring and transparency.

With nearly one-third of Frontex’s 56 open human rights cases in 2024 involving Greece, the agency considers Athens its most serious problem regarding migrant rights. Grimheden argued that the European Commission should consider tying Greece’s access to EU funds to its compliance with international law on migration.

In a recent incident on April 3, at least seven migrants — including two children — died near Lesbos following an intervention by the Hellenic Coast Guard. A survivor filed a complaint to Frontex, prompting the agency to launch an investigation involving photographs, videos, and eyewitness testimony.

Greece is currently under scrutiny for 13 open cases of alleged human rights violations — the highest number among EU member states. The country has also faced past legal judgments; in January, the European Court of Human Rights found Greek authorities guilty of conducting systematic pushbacks.

Frontex previously considered suspending its operations in Greece under Article 46, which would mean withdrawing guards, aircraft, and vessels from one of Europe’s busiest migration corridors. However, Grimheden said such a step would limit oversight and transparency.

Instead, he believes the Commission should consider legal action if Athens continues to violate migrant rights, possibly bringing the case before the Court of Justice of the EU.

An official from the Hellenic Coast Guard claimed that the April 3 incident was caused by the vessel being overcrowded, but survivors have alleged mistreatment. In 2023, the Greek Ombudsman called for disciplinary measures against eight coast guard officers following the deaths of hundreds of migrants when a boat sank off the southern coast of Greece.

Despite Frontex’s frustrations, Greek officials have denied receiving formal threats of funding cuts and defended the coast guard’s humanitarian efforts. “In any case, Frontex investigates all complaints, even those from unconfirmed sources,” government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said.

The European Commission has yet to comment on Frontex’s potential appeal for action against Greece.

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