Greece must be punished for its abuses against migrants: Frontex official

ATHENS

The European Union’s border agency, Frontex, is considering bringing disciplinary proceedings against Greece over its repeated pushbacks of migrants, media outlets reported Thursday.

Speaking to the Politico news outlet and German daily Welt, the agency’s Fundamental Rights Officer, Jonas Grimheden, highlighted Frontex’s frustration over the matter.

Athens’ behavior leaves Frontex with two options: suspending its mission, or asking the European Commission to open infringement proceedings against Greece, he said.

However, Grimheden said the first option would not best serve the agency’s mission, as there had to be oversight of Greece.

This leaves a potential appeal to the European Commission, which controls the majority of funding for Greece’s border support, he said.

“There must be some kind of punishment. The Commission itself is capable of initiating infringement proceedings against a member state,” he added.

Therefore, it could link Greece’s progress on the human rights of migrants to its access to funds, Grimheden suggested.