
The Greek parliament approved a new law that criminalizes illegal residence in the country and significantly strengthens measures against undocumented immigrants.
The law provides for the forced return of rejected asylum seekers and criminalizes illegal stay, which is now punishable by two to five years in prison.
The law was passed by the ruling New Democracy party, with the support of the nationalist Niki party and several far-right independent MPs. All opposition parties voted against it, calling the law “racist,” “illegal” and “unenforceable.”
Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said the measure is in line with new EU policies and aims to stop irregular migration flows.
The law has been sharply criticized by international human rights organizations and Greek institutions, which warn of violations of fundamental rights and international conventions.
This development comes just weeks after the decision to suspend asylum applications for citizens from several North African countries for three months, further deepening Greece's tough approach to immigration.