Greece | Mediterranean: Thousands of refugees reach Crete from Libya

The number of refugees arriving in Greece from the coast of eastern Libya has risen sharply in recent months. According to government figures, around 10,000 people have made the crossing since the beginning of the year – a 350 percent increase compared to the previous year. The Greek aid organization Refugee Support Aegean reports somewhat different figures , registering 7,336 arrivals on the island of Crete and the neighboring island of Gavdos in the first half of the year.

In contrast to the route through western Libya toward Italy, which has been a popular route for years, boats or smaller ships carrying migrants now frequently depart from the eastern Libyan port city of Tobruk. They then head for the southern coast of Crete. According to refugees, commercial escape agencies charge between 1,500 and 5,000 euros for the approximately 300-kilometer crossing. A comparatively large number of those arriving are families, single women, or unaccompanied minors.

The conservative Greek government has now decided to temporarily stop processing asylum applications from people arriving via this new route. Parliament approved a corresponding amendment to the law last week after two days of debate: 177 MPs voted in favor and 74 against. The measure will initially apply for three months. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during the debate: "The route to Greece will be closed – that is the message to the smugglers."

The government's intention is to detain arriving refugees and return them to their countries of origin or transit as quickly as possible. In practice, however, this is not feasible, as most countries of origin refuse to take them back.

Since the end of June, the Greek government has also been deploying naval vessels to patrol the eastern Libyan coast. Two frigates have been deployed to the sea area south of Crete to maintain a presence there, along with the coast guard. According to Athens, these operations are intended to serve as a deterrent and prevent further crossings.

However, it is unclear what the Greek Coast Guard should do with the boats it sees – intercepting or returning the occupants to Libya is prohibited under international law for European authorities. And there is no cooperation between the Greek Coast Guard and maritime units from eastern Libya – unlike with Italy in the west of the country .

The Greek Navy's patrols off the Libyan coast could also further escalate tensions with the internationally recognized Tripoli government in western Libya. The government recently formally protested at the United Nations against Greek claims to maritime territory south and west of Crete. The reason for this is an ongoing dispute over maritime borders and energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean. Athens has granted licenses to companies such as ExxonMobil and Total. Tripoli sees this as an infringement of its maritime rights and points to a 2019 maritime agreement with Turkey, which Greece and the European Union consider to be contrary to international law.

According to the organization Refugee Support Aegean, the European border agency Frontex is also further expanding its presence in the region. A speedboat is already in operation off Gavdos and another in southern Crete. Frontex is also stationing a large drone on Crete to monitor the Ionian Sea. According to the authorities, Frontex's capacities are to be further increased by August – at least according to Refugee Support Aegean.

The refugees stranded on Crete are currently being housed in temporary accommodations—such as empty buildings, tents, or warehouses. There is a lack of infrastructure for orderly initial reception, medical care, or protection for vulnerable groups. According to aid organizations, some people are forced to sleep outdoors in the extreme heat.

Criticism of Greek migration policy comes from the left-wing opposition and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). "The right to asylum is a fundamental human right and applies to every person – it is enshrined in international, European, and national law," the UNHCR stated. Refugee Support Aegean is calling for an immediate expansion of initial reception centers on Crete and Gavdos. Permanent structures for registration, medical care, and the protection of particularly vulnerable individuals – such as unaccompanied minors or sick people – are needed. Currently, both staff and suitable facilities are lacking.