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Greece Proposes Bill Restricting NGO Operations, Raising Human Rights Concerns
The greek government has introduced legislation that human rights organizations say could severely restrict the ability of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian workers to operate in the country. The bill links NGO activity to criminal conduct, despite these groups providing assistance to migrants and asylum seekers. The proposed measures have sparked criticism from international bodies and raise concerns about freedom of association and the protection of vulnerable populations.
Increased Penalties for Humanitarian Work
The proposed law amends the greek migration code to significantly increase penalties for individuals associated wiht NGOs involved in assisting migrants. Specifically, the bill:
- Increases the minimum prison sentence to 10 years and imposes a €50,000 fine for NGO members found guilty of facilitating irregular entry or exit.
- Reclassifies the transportation of undocumented migrants from a misdemeanor to a felony, punishable by at least 10 years imprisonment and a minimum fine of €60,000 per person transported.
- Elevates facilitating unlawful stay to a felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years.
These harsher penalties are being introduced shortly after the acquittal of 24 aid workers in January 2026, who had faced years-long legal battles and baseless felony charges for their search and rescue operations. The timing of the bill is seen by critics as a deliberate attempt to further criminalize humanitarian assistance.
expanded Government Powers and restrictions on Registration
The bill grants the Migration Minister expanded powers to intervene in NGO operations. These include:
- The ability to remove organizations from the official registry based solely on a criminal prosecution against a member, even before a conviction. Without official registration, NGOs face significant obstacles to operating legally in Greece.
- The creation of a new registry requiring certification of all employees and volunteers, with the Minister having broad discretion over the certification requirements.
- The potential to revoke the residency permits of legal residents based solely on suspicion of involvement with targeted NGOs, bypassing the principle of presumption of innocence.
Greece’s existing NGO registration framework, implemented in 2020, has already been criticized by the
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