UNHCR on the pressure caused by recent arrivals in Gavdos and Crete
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), acknowledges the pressure created by recent arrivals in Gavdos and Crete. It also notes that states have the right to manage their borders and irregular migration, provided they comply with international and European law.
The announcement by the UNHCR is as follows:
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, acknowledges the pressure created by recent arrivals in Gavdos and Crete. States have the right to manage borders and address irregular migration. Controlling a State’s borders, however, must be in line with international and European law. Greece has a long-standing tradition of offering protection to people fleeing war and persecution. That tradition must be upheld.
UNHCR expresses serious concern over the legislative amendment submitted for vote in the Greek Parliament, that suspends for three months the submission of asylum applications from those arriving by boat from North Africa and provides for their return, without registration of their asylum applications. The right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right, enshrined in international, European and national law, and applies to everyone regardless of how or where they arrive in a country. Even at times of migratory pressure, States must ensure that people seeking asylum have access to asylum procedures. Returning people to a place where they would face threats to their life or freedom would breach the principle of non-refoulement. States cannot deviate from this important principle of international law. At the same time, international law allows for the return of those whose asylum claims are rejected after their cases have been examined, as a pillar of a well-functioning asylum system.
Many of the people making the dangerous journey from Libya to Greece are migrants, but others are refugees - people fleeing conflict, violence and persecution, and in particular Sudanese nationals. Asylum-seekers entering the territory of a State irregularly should not be punished if they present themselves without delay to the authorities.
UNHCR has long supported the Hellenic Coast Guard and local authorities in responding to the pressure resulting from arrivals to its borders and stands ready to assist the authorities to develop sustainable and humane solutions to the current challenges. This includes streamlining asylum procedures in a fair and swift manner to allow the efficient identification of people who are refugees. Greece, and other States on the EU external border, should not be left alone. UNHCR will continue advocating for strong solidarity and responsibility-sharing measures within the EU to support frontline countries such as Greece.