Greek Ministry of Migration Denies Suspension of Asylum Rejection Decisions and Explains Temporary Halt

Greek Ministry of Migration Denies Suspension of Asylum Rejection Decisions

The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum denied recent reports suggesting an indefinite suspension of asylum rejection decisions. The ministry clarified that all asylum procedures continue as normal under the law. The current halt only concerns the online publication of these decisions.

The ministry explained that this temporary halt is due to the need to adjust digital templates to align with new data introduced by recent legislation. It emphasized that all decisions are issued in a fully digital format, leaving no room for manual intervention.

The ministry also rejected claims linking the halt to difficulties in detaining migrants. It stressed that this connection is inaccurate. Applicants facing negative decisions have the right to appeal, and until their appeals are resolved, they are not considered to be in violation of the law. This dismisses allegations of a legal vacuum.

The ministry confirmed that the publication of first-instance asylum decisions will resume at the beginning of next week, in full compliance with legal deadlines.

At the same time, the ministry highlighted that the new law has already proven effective. Greek courts have recently issued rulings imposing prison sentences on rejected asylum seekers who remained in the country illegally. Some of these individuals chose voluntary departure to avoid serving their sentences.

Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, reiterated in a statement that the legal reforms are moving forward steadily, and that decisions are implemented with precision to ensure transparency and strengthen trust in the migration system.