The European Union’s renewed focus on deportations, championed by Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner during his recent visit to Greece, has reignited concerns about the bloc’s migration policies. While Brunner emphasized the implementation of the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact, human rights advocates warn that prioritizing deportations could further endanger vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers.
Greece: A Frontline State Under Pressure
Greece remains one of the primary entry points for migrants into the EU, with over 60,000 arrivals recorded in 2024 alone. The country has seen a 50% increase in sea arrivals over the past 18 months, intensifying its call for stricter border controls and direct EU funding to expand its controversial border wall along the Turkish frontier. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed satisfaction with the EU’s policy shift toward external border protection and deportation-focused measures, describing Greece’s position as being on the “forefront of the migration crisis.”
Systematic Pushbacks and Human Rights Violations
However, Greece’s migration policies have faced heavy criticism. The European Court of Human Rights recently ruled that Greece engaged in illegal deportations, describing its pushbacks as “systematic.” Despite Greek authorities strongly denying these allegations and insisting on a “strict but fair” approach, testimonies from survivors and human rights organizations paint a different picture, highlighting the risks faced by refugees who are often left stranded or forcibly returned.
The Commissioner’s Stance
Migration Commissioner Brunner, a conservative politician from Austria, underscored the EU’s commitment to accelerating deportations, calling it a “key priority.” He praised Greece’s efforts but did not address the broader implications of deportation-focused policies, including the potential violation of international refugee law. Critics argue that such priorities ignore the root causes of migration and fail to provide sustainable solutions for those fleeing conflict and persecution.
Refugees at Risk
For refugees, deportations often mean returning to unsafe conditions, perpetuating cycles of trauma and instability. Advocacy groups warn that the EU’s emphasis on deportations, coupled with expanded border controls, risks undermining the fundamental rights of migrants. Greece’s recent rescue of 36 migrants near Gavdos Island underscores the precarious journeys many undertake, only to face uncertain futures under increasingly restrictive policies.
A Broader Context: The Migration and Asylum Pact
The EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact, adopted in 2024, aims to overhaul the bloc’s approach to migration by balancing shared responsibility and stricter controls. However, its implementation has been slow, and key elements—such as the prioritization of deportations—have faced widespread criticism for shifting the focus away from protection and solidarity.
A Call for Balance
As the EU pushes forward with its deportation agenda, it must reconcile security concerns with its commitments to human rights and refugee protection. Policies that prioritize returning migrants over addressing the root causes of displacement risk perpetuating suffering and undermining the EU’s moral and legal obligations. The question remains: Will the EU choose humanity and inclusion, or will it succumb to policies that prioritize exclusion and division?
