The Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe expresses deep concern on the adoption by the Hellenic Parliament of Article 79 of Law 5218/2025, suspending for three months the possibility to lodge asylum applications for persons arriving from North Africa and foreseeing their immediate expulsion without any registration.

The Conference recalls that the right to seek asylum and the principle of non-refoulement are fundamental rights that cannot be derogated. It supports the UNHCR’s statement and urges Greece to withdraw this provision, while calling on European States to show political and financial solidarity to uphold fundamental rights and share responsibilities fairly.
 
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