Tragedy in the Mediterranean: Over 60 Migrants Losing Lives in Yemen Sea
In a move that has sparked international controversy, Greece has suspended the processing of asylum applications by migrants arriving by sea from North Africa. This decision, made by the Greek Parliament on Friday, July 11th, primarily targets those coming from Libya and surrounding countries such as Somalia, Sudan, Egypt, and Morocco.
The suspension means that migrants arriving by sea will not be allowed to file asylum claims during this period and will instead be returned to their countries of origin or departure without assessment. This move has been strongly condemned by international bodies like UNHCR and Amnesty International as a violation of international and European law, as the right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right that must be respected regardless of the mode or place of arrival.
The Greek government, led by the right-wing New Democracy party, justifies the suspension by citing a dramatic surge in arrivals, particularly on the island of Crete, where arrivals increased 350% compared to the previous year, with about 7,000 migrants reaching Crete alone so far in 2025. Authorities describe the situation as resembling an "invasion," with up to 1,000 arrivals daily overwhelming local facilities and forcing the use of temporary shelters under dire conditions.
The migrant movements continue despite these challenges. Migrants are risking their lives during these journeys, attempting to reach Europe amidst ongoing refugee movements from Ukraine and seeking asylum in Europe, not just in Greece or the Balkan region. Another 74 migrants are still missing from a boat disaster off the coast of Yemen, where at least 68 migrants have died.
Regarding Libya's role, recent developments include an EU mission to Libya intended to discuss migration cooperation being refused entry to Eastern Libya, indicating strained EU-Libya relations regarding migration management. The Greek government is attempting to intercept boats south of Crete and redirect migrants to mainland facilities, reflecting efforts to limit arrivals from Libya by sea.
Despite these measures, migrants from Ethiopia and Somalia continue to attempt to reach Yemen and Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the resilience of those seeking safety and a better life. The aim of the Greek government is to limit the number of arriving migrants, but opposition parties and NGOs have described this step as illegal. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the boat disaster at the beginning of August, underscoring the dangers faced by migrants during these journeys.
What is the justification provided by the Greek government for suspending the processing of asylum applications by migrants arriving by sea? The Greek government justifies the suspension by citing a dramatic surge in arrivals, particularly on the island of Crete.
In relation to Libya, recent developments include an EU mission to Libya being refused entry to Eastern Libya, indicating strained EU-Libya relations regarding migration management. The Greek government is attempting to intercept boats south of Crete and redirect migrants to mainland facilities, reflecting efforts to limit arrivals from Libya by sea.
The suspension of asylum claims for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa, including Libya, has been strongly condemned by international bodies like UNHCR and Amnesty International, labeling it as a violation of international and European law. This move has sparked controversy in general-news, politics, crime-and-justice, and accident reports due to the resilience of those seeking safety and a better life, despite the dangers faced during these journeys.
