ABTTF President: “The Commissioner’s approach demonstrates that the Council of Europe’s mechanisms are concerned not only with actual violations but also with practices that pose a serious risk to human rights. The full execution of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgments in the Bekir-Ousta and Others group of cases is also of critical importance for the credibility of the Council of Europe’s human rights system. For this reason, we are asking the Commissioner to take the initiative within the scope of his authority and responsibilities; we have conveyed this to the Commissioner himself”.
Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Michael O’Flaherty sent a letter to the governments of Austria, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands—including Greece—regarding the “return hubs” they plan to establish in third countries, indicating that these initiatives must be fully aligned with international human rights law.
In a letter dated 8 July 2026, addressed to the Minister of Migration and Asylum of Greece Thanos Plevris, the Commissioner highlighted that return hubs could pose serious human rights risks and proposed four core ‘‘guardrails’’ to the government. Referring to the legislation adopted by the Greek Parliament in June 2026, which allows for the establishment of return hubs in third countries, the Commissioner noted that Greece is conducting negotiations with two African countries and that these hubs are scheduled to become operational in 2027. O’Flaherty stated that such practices could give rise to serious human rights risks, including violations of the principle of non-refoulement, the prohibition of ill-treatment, collective expulsions, and arbitrary detention.
In its response dated 15 July 2026, Greece highlighted that all migration policies would be carried out in accordance with international law and European Union law, while emphasising that it views the return hubs as “a legitimate policy tool within a comprehensive and effective migration management system’’.
“The fact that the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe has contacted the Greek government directly is a significant indication of the Commissioner’s active and preventive role in safeguarding human rights in Member States. This approach by the Commissioner demonstrates that Council of Europe mechanisms are closely concerned not only with actual violations but also with practices that pose a serious risk to human rights. We expect the same resolute approach to be demonstrated regarding the failure to execute, for nearly 20 years, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgments against Greece with respect to the Bekir-Ousta and Others group of cases concerning freedom of association, as well as regarding new violations of the freedom of association experienced by the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace and brought before the ECtHR. The full execution of the ECtHR judgments in the Bekir-Ousta and Others group of cases is also of critical importance for the credibility of the Council of Europe’s human rights system. For this reason, we ask the Commissioner to take the initiative within the scope of his authority and responsibilities; we have conveyed this to the Commissioner himself’’, said Halit Habip Oğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).
