The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights raised concerns over Greece’s treatment of migrants, the human rights of Roma and declining press freedom during his recent visit to the country.
Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights of Council of Europe, the continent’s leading human rights organization, visited Greece on February 3-7. The aim of his visit was to evaluate Greece’s handling of migration, border operations and the protection of vulnerable populations amid ongoing allegations of human rights violations in the country. O’ Flaherty focused particularly on the deadly Pylos shipwreck of June 2023, where hundreds of migrants perished at sea.
The commissioner met with the Greek Ombudsman, who has recently completed a report on the actions and omissions of the Hellenic Coast Guard during the tragic incident, survivors, lawyers and NGOs.
Greek ombudsman Andreas Pottakis set up an independent investigation into the shipwreck that killed hundreds, after the Hellenic Coastguard refused to conduct an internal disciplinary investigation, despite pressure from Frontex, EU’s border protection agency.
According to the 158-page report, published on February 3, there are clear indications that during the 2023 June incident, Greek authorities knowingly exposed hundreds of migrants aboard the fishing vessel Adriana to life-threatening conditions. The report referred to a “series of serious and reprehensible omissions in the search and rescue duties on the part of senior officers of the Hellenic Coast Guard.” It also added that “there were clear indications of culpability” for eight senior officers of the coast guard under criminal law for their handling of the deadly incident.
O’Flaherty acknowledged Greece’s challenges due to its geographical location, with new migrant routes emerging in Rhodes and Crete which have led to increased migrant arrivals. He called for improved facilities and the swift relocation of unaccompanied minors from the islands to the mainland. He also raised alarm over ongoing reports of illegal pushbacks at Greece’s land and sea borders, calling for a “zero-tolerance approach” and independent human rights monitoring.
In January 2025, the European Court of Human Rights found Greece guilty of systematically pushing back asylum seekers, ordering compensation for a woman who was forcibly expelled to Turkiye.
The situation of Roma communities in Greece
The commissioner also focused on the conditions faced by Roma communities, particularly those in Greece’s northern port city of Thessaloniki and in Athens’ northern suburb of Halandri. He observed dire living conditions and persistent discrimination, urging Europe to “wake up” to the human rights challenges faced by Roma populations. He also urged Greece to take concrete steps to improve Roma communities’ living conditions and integration.
The Commissioner’s concerns come amid growing scrutiny of police violence against Roma in Greece. The Panhellenic Confederation of Greek Roma has accused the police of systematically discriminating against the Roma, following three killings of Roma men in recent years.
Greece’s deteriorating press freedom
O’Flaherty during his visit further highlighted broader concerns about Greece’s deteriorating press freedom and rule of law.
His concerns come a year after the European Parliament passed a damning resolution, condemning Greece’s failure to make progress on the case of Giorgos Karaivaz, a prominent investigative journalist who was assassinated in 2021 while reporting on organized crime. European MPs also condemned physical threats and verbal attacks against journalists (including from high-ranking politicians), as well as breaches of privacy through surveillance software.
O’Flaherty warned that increasing pressure on journalists, human rights defenders and civil society organizations is eroding the rule of law in Greece.