Migrants in Greece whose asylum applications have been rejected will soon be required to wear ankle monitors under new government measures aimed at expediting deportations.
Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris announced that the policy will be introduced by the end of the year as part of reforms that will also criminalise noncompliance with deportation orders.
“The use of electronic monitoring will make it clear that the options have narrowed,” Plevris told state broadcaster ERT.
The tougher rules – which include mandatory prison sentences for defying deportation orders – will be presented to parliament next month, following a summer delay linked to increased migrant arrivals from Libya to Crete.
Electronic monitoring will apply during the 30-day grace period granted to migrants after all asylum claims and appeals have been rejected. The government is also weighing the introduction of a €2,000 incentive for those who voluntarily return.
Greece’s conservative administration has faced criticism from the Council of Europe and human rights organisations for its hard-line migration policies, including a recent ban on asylum claims for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa.
Source: Ekathimerini
