In a significant development concerning human rights, five UN experts, including Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor, have raised serious alarms about Greece’s recently enacted migration law. Passed on February 5, 2023, this legislation poses a grave threat to those who aid migrants and asylum seekers. By imposing heavy fines and potential jail sentences on individuals offering essential support, such as food, clothing, or legal aid, the law effectively criminalizes humanitarian aid.

This draconian approach not only discourages volunteers and humanitarian organizations from acting but also fosters an atmosphere of fear that prevents open assistance and solidarity. According to the UN experts, such measures exacerbate existing prejudices against migrants and undermine the principles of justice and fairness within the legal system. They have urgently urged the Greek government to eliminate these punitive provisions, emphasizing that such actions strike at the very heart of the work carried out by defenders advocating for the vulnerable.

Human Rights Watch has echoed these concerns, stressing the critical nature of defending human rights and the imperative to safeguard those who stand up for the marginalized in society. The call for immediate reform is essential to uphold the integrity of humanitarian efforts and the principles of justice in Greece.