The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled in a landmark immigration case against Greece over the illegal deportation of a Turkish migrant, accusing the country of systematic “pushback” practices

Why it matters

Tuesday’s ruling could set a precedent for how European Union states manage their borders amid rising migration flows, while Greece and several EU member states seek tougher immigration controls.

The court’s ruling also highlighted the broader problem of systemic “pushback” practices. Pushbacks, a term for the summary expulsion of migrants without due process, have long been criticized by human rights activists

What you should know

The ECtHR is an international court based in Strasbourg, France, that decides on human rights violations by 46 member states of the Council of Europe, a body that is older than the EU and its predecessor, the European Economic Community.

The court awarded 20,000 euros ($21,000) in damages to a Turkish woman, identified only as ARE, who was expelled from Greece in 2019 without the opportunity to apply for asylum.

“The court considered that there was strong evidence that, at the time of the alleged events, there had been a systematic practice of ‘pushbacks’ of third-country nationals by the Greek authorities from the Evros region (on the Greek border) into the Türkiye,” the decision says.

Tuesday’s ruling reinforces concerns about the legality and ethics of such operations, particularly as migratory pressures increase. Greece alone registered over 60,000 illegally arriving migrants in 2024, an increase of almost 50 percent compared to the previous year.

While ARE’s case was successful, the court dismissed a similar lawsuit from an Afghan migrant who claimed he was deported as a minor in 2020. Critics argue that this finding reveals gaps in accountability.

Niamh Keady-Tabbal, a lawyer representing the Afghan applicant, called the decision “deeply unfair” and accused Greece of trying to avoid liability through blanket denials.

What did Greece say?

The ruling also highlights the different views on Greek border policy. Greek officials maintain their practices are in line with international law and deny allegations of wrongdoing.

A 2022 investigation by Greece’s National Transparency Authority found no evidence of illegal pushbacks. But the United Nations and major human rights groups continue to push for a deeper investigation into repeated claims of irregular deportations.

What people say

Niamh Keady-Tabbal, a member of the Afghan migrant’s legal team, told The Associated Press: “It is completely unfair that such a cynical position of blanket denial can, in practice, serve to shield the Greek government from accountability.”

What happens next

In Greece’s immigration case, the country is also seeking direct funds from the EU to finance the planned expansion of a border wall along the land border with Türkiye.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press.