The Greek Parliament has approved a legal reform that introduces prison sentences of up to ten years for those who facilitate the irregular entry of immigrants into the country, a measure that directly affects activists and members of non-governmental organizations, according to the agency Euro EFE.
The law was promoted by the Government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and passed with the votes of the ruling party, New Democracy, against the rejection of the left-wing opposition parties.
Criminal liability of NGO members
The new legislation establishes aggravated sanctions when assistance to illegal immigration is carried out professionally, with intent to profit or within the framework of an NGO. In these cases, in addition to prison sentences, high economic fines and other administrative measures are contemplated.
One of the most controversial aspects of the reform is that it allows the exclusion from the official registry of a non-governmental organization when one of its members is charged —even if not convicted— for facilitating the illegal entry of immigrants, which would prevent said entity from operating legally in Greek territory.
Arguments of the Greek Government
The Executive has defended that the law aims to strengthen border control and combat human trafficking networks operating in the eastern Mediterranean. The Ministry of Migration has emphasized that those who participate in programs funded with public funds have an additional responsibility in the strict compliance with the law.
The Government maintains that the reform seeks to differentiate legitimate humanitarian action from those practices that, under associative cover, contribute to illegal immigration and the activity of mafias.
Criticism from the opposition and political debate
Left-wing parties have accused the Government of criminalizing civil society and introducing a legal framework that, in their opinion, may deter the action of organizations dedicated to helping migrants. They have also denounced that belonging to an NGO becomes an aggravating factor in the criminal sphere.
The approval of the law occurs in a context of strong political debate on immigration and the role of NGOs in a country that has been one of the main entry points to the European Union in recent years.
Border control and legal immigration
The reform is part of a broader strategy of the Greek Executive, which combines the toughening of penalties against illegal immigration with measures aimed at facilitating the arrival of foreign workers through legal channels, especially in sectors with labor shortages such as tourism, agriculture, and construction.