The number of migrants living in refugee camps on the Greek islands in the eastern Aegean Sea and the surrounding area has exceeded 40,000. According to the Greek Ministry of Civil Protection, 40,313 people were registered last weekend.
Since the entry into force of the EU-Turkey Refugee Pact, there have never been such a number of asylum seekers, ERT reported. In April, only 14,000 migrants remained on the islands. The Government is trying to improve the situation. In recent months, more than 10,000 migrants have been brought to the mainland.
However, the new law will already enter into force on 1 January, which will allow for faster processing of asylum applications. According to the new law, all migrants who are not granted asylum in Greece will be sent back to Turkey as soon as possible. Deportation camps are being set up on the islands for this purpose.
The EU-Turkey Refugee Pact provides that the EU can return all refugees and migrants who arrive illegally in Greece via Turkey.