EU border agency reviewing 12 cases of potential rights violations by Greece

The EU border agency announced on Tuesday that it was examining 12 instances of possible human rights abuses by Greece, including claims that migrants were forcibly returned across the border, a practice for which Athens has previously faced criticism in European court.

Greece, long seen as a preferred entry point to Europe for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, faces accusations from human rights organizations of forcibly returning asylum-seekers at its sea and land borders, a claim it refutes.

“There are currently 12 active Serious Incident Reports related to Greece under review by the Fundamental Rights Office. Each is being examined thoroughly,” Chris Borowski, spokesperson for EU border agency Frontex, said on Tuesday.

He said some of the cases referred to allegations of illegal pushbacks at the border but gave no further details of the circumstances. Two of the incidents occurred in 2025, nine in 2024 and one in 2023.

Officials at the Greek coast guard and police, responsible for the sea and land borders, were not immediately available to respond to questions about the 12 cases. A coast guard official said staff operate “with a high sense of responsibility, and with full respect for human lives and human rights”.

In January, the European Court of Human Rights identified violations, opens new tab of human rights by Greece concerning a case at its land border with Turkey, mentioning in its decision a “systematic practice of pushbacks”.

Disciplinary measures regarding rights violations would be determined by the Greek national authorities. Frontex, previously criticized by rights organizations for its alleged role in unlawful pushbacks, is currently reforming and has cautioned nations like Greece that failure to report possible rights abuses may lead to a suspension of co-financing.

Since 2015, Greece’s coast guard has saved more than 250,000 individuals as the nation faced the forefront of Europe’s migration crisis. The U.N. refugee agency states that thousands more have perished at sea.

According to Borowski, Frontex’s funding for Greek maritime activities was reduced last year because of wider operational budget limitations, yet the agency continues to collaborate with Greek authorities, urging for reforms.