Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Immigration Solicitors

UK launches £2m scheme in Greece to help repatriate migrants (20 February 2014)

Date: 20/02/2014
Duncan Lewis, Immigration Solicitors, UK launches £2m scheme in Greece to help repatriate migrants

The British government has launched a £2 million scheme to help migrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East return to their home countries from Greece.

Greece is one of the main points of entry for migrants fleeing persecution or seeking a better life in Europe. In recent months migrants fleeing the war in Syria and those crossing the Turkish border have increased the flow of migrants into Greece.

However, since the Greek debt crisis, more migrants are returning voluntarily to their home countries – so far, 18,500 have left Greece and returned home and the UK is hoping that the repatriation scheme – unveiled at the British Embassy in Athens on Wednesday (19/02//14) – will also help prevent the flow of migrants from Greece to the UK.

The Greek economy has placed a strain on resources for monitoring borders in Greece, which has one of the longest stretches of coastline in the EU.

Incidences in which migrants drown in attempts to reach Europe are also frequent.

Greece’s government has recently taken a harder line with migrants, including implementing controversial measures such as rounding migrants up and clearing them from the streets.

Greece’s far right Golden Dawn party has also become involved in monitoring the numbers of migrants arriving on Greece’s shores.

The new programme to repatriate migrants will be managed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Over the next two years, the programme will help repatriate migrants from Greece to Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Iraq, Iran and Nigeria.

The programme will include vulnerable migrants among those being repatriated – including unaccompanied minors, single parent families and people needing medical assistance.

The Home Office has blamed Turkey’s “liberal” visa scheme for the increased flow of migrants to Greece – as well as the extension of routes by Turkish Airlines, which now flies to Asia and Africa.

The repatriation programme is also designed to help individuals who have been trafficked return home – many victims of trafficking become caught in a financial net and may end up having to work in the sex trade or as bonded slaves to repay their debt to the gang which trafficked them.

Around 1,500 migrants in Greece who might otherwise head for European countries will be helped to return home as a result of the programme.

The British ambassador in Athens, John Kittmer, said:
“Our assessment is that the UK remains a primary final destination country for many of the irregular migrants in Greece.

"British funding for this programme is ultimately about reducing illegal migration to the UK.

“That is why we are co-operating with the Greek government as it faces the continuing challenge of illegal migration."

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of immigration solicitors and can advise on immigration to the UK – including right to work in the UK, housing benefit, citizenship and student visas.

Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors can also advise on illegal entry to the UK and detention – as well as asylum in the UK and asylum appeals.

For expert legal advice on immigration and asylum in the UK contact Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors on 020 7923 4020.


For all Immigration related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.