Migrants used to push others across borders

Since at least 2020, Greek police have quietly recruited masked migrants to act as informal enforcers, pushing other asylum seekers back across the land border with North Macedonia. These individuals, often described by investigators as mercenaries, are paid to intercept boats or overland groups and force them to retreat, a practice the BBC has labelled illegal ‘pushbacks’. The operation is deliberately opaque: participants wear face coverings and operate at night, making accountability difficult.

Human‑rights groups say the tactic breaches the 1951 Refugee Convention and exposes vulnerable people to violence and intimidation. Survivors recount being beaten, stripped of belongings and threatened with deportation if they resist. These experiences erode trust in authorities and fuel fear among migrant communities already living in precarious conditions.

Athens has denied any systematic policy, claiming the incidents are isolated and that border security is a national priority. Yet the European Union’s migration watchdog has opened a preliminary probe, warning that state‑sanctioned pushbacks could breach EU law and damage Greece’s standing.

The episode mirrors a trend across the Mediterranean, where states have been accused of using hidden methods to curb arrivals, raising questions about the balance between border control and humanitarian duties.

The story matters to anyone concerned with human rights, European migration policy and the rule of law. It shows how covert enforcement can undermine public trust, strain diplomatic relations and set dangerous precedents that affect asylum seekers and citizens alike.

The broader implications of this practice include increased risks for migrants, potential violations of international law, and damage to the reputation of Greek law enforcement. It also underscores the need for more humane and effective migration management policies that prioritise the safety and dignity of all individuals involved. If unchecked, such tactics could inspire other states to adopt similar covert methods, further weakening the global refugee protection framework.