Greece

The acute economic crisis in Greece is felt by the most vulnerable members of society. Attacks on migrants and asylum seekers, and LGBT people continued. An anti-racism law lifting barriers to justice for victims of racist attacks recently entered into force, but measures criminalizing speech raised free expression concerns. Greek border guards have allegedly engaged in collective expulsions and pushbacks of migrants and asylum seekers. The new government announced the end to abusive police “sweeps” of irregular migrants in Athens. Conditions in detention centers have also come under fire. Despite improvements in the asylum system and significant increase in Greece’s protection rates, there remains a large backlog of cases.