Greece’s temporary suspension of asylum applications on the island of Crete has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of irregular migrant arrivals.
Since the government introduced a three-month moratorium on processing asylum claims on July 9th, the flow of migrants reaching the southern Greek island has dropped to below 900, according to official reports.
Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris attributed this decline to the firm message sent by the government, stating that asylum will not be granted for the next three months and that migrants arriving illegally will face detention.
The government has also announced that it may extend these restrictive measures if the situation demands.
Earlier this year, Crete experienced an unprecedented surge in migrant arrivals, with over 7,000 people reaching Crete and the nearby island of Gavdos—a 40% increase compared to the previous year.
The rise in arrivals has raised concerns during Crete’s peak tourist season, with fears it could impact the island’s reputation as a popular holiday destination.
Plevris has proposed tougher legislation that could see migrants detained for up to two years if caught entering Greece illegally. The law would also impose prison sentences for migrants found staying without legal documentation, though protections would remain for those fleeing armed conflict.
While these moves have been praised by some as necessary for border security, critics argue they risk breaching international law and endangering human rights.
