Socio-political impact and the ground realities of refugee policies in Greece

Suror Shaba  Polus; Mohd Ikbal Mohd Huda

Authors

Suror Shaba Polus The National University of Malaysia
Mohd Ikbal Mohd Huda The National University of Malaysia

Keywords:

Greece's Refugee Policies, European Refugee Crisis, Historical Context, Legal Frameworks, Socio-Political Dynamics

Abstract

This research paper will address the Greece policy regarding refugees, specifically after the European refugee crisis in 2015, when Greece turned into one of the main gates of entry of refugees leaving the conflict in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The paper explores the socio-political, legal and humanitarian frames that defined the Greek approach to the crisis. It discusses the issue that Greece had to deal with as a frontline state such as overcrowded reception centers, delay in processing asylum and insufficient integration programs. Referring to the data of the institutions like the Greek Council of Refugees, the academic research, and case studies of the different parts of Greece, the article offers a thorough analysis of the policy responses in the country. The study uses documentary analysis, qualitative interviews, and case reports in making an evaluation of the effectiveness of these policies. Results show that the asylum system in Greece has not performed well during the crisis, but it is not as simple as it is presented since there are tremendous differences in the experience of refugees across the region. The article states that a proper policy change is necessary, and there should be European Union (EU) wide unity and long-term plans on how to better manage refugees. It requires the multifaceted approach balancing humanitarian issues with practical issues at the ground level. The paper summarizes that to find sustainable solutions to the population of refugees in Greece, more effort has to be put by the EU, which means that policy change, solidarity, and long-term intervention is necessary to assist refugees and host communities in the most appropriate way.

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