The decision by NGOs to encourage Sudanese illegal immigrants detained in Amygdaleza to appeal against the state for not being granted asylum has acted as an accelerator on the front of the NGO relationship with the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum. Protothema.gr reports that the Ministry’s leadership is now considering legislative initiatives to tighten the framework for the operation of NGOs.

This development came after the government’s decision to withdraw the examination of all asylum applications following the rapid increase in migration flows from Libya. In this context, after the amendment was passed, among those found on Greek soil were some from Sudan who have what is briefly called a “refugee profile.”

According to protothema.gr’s information, this case “pushed” closer in time a thought that existed in the leadership of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum regarding the framework of cooperation with NGOs and their access to the accommodation facilities and thus their contacts with asylum seekers. Now the responsible minister, Thanos Plevris from September is expected to set up a team which will elaborate both the landscape of NGO activities and ways to tighten their operation and control.

This will concern the examination of which NGOs meet the requirements to be on the list, which was originally drawn up in 2020 during the ministry of Notis Mitarakis, when the first major “clean-up” was done.

According to the same sources, what is being seriously considered is to remove from the register any NGO found to be circulating positions against the government’s migration policy on returns and deportations, and also if it takes legal action against administrative decisions concerning the detention or suspension of asylum. Finally, a further tightening of the noose around the financial management that NGOs are doing regarding the money they receive and whether it is being used for the purpose it was originally intended.

As competent sources tell protothema.gr, “cooperation with NGOs has been and will continue to exist, but there is a phenomenon of the state implementing a policy that is based on procedures and principles and some NGOs causing obstacles. You cannot be in the Registry, be in essence a partner of the Ministry and act against it.”

According to reports, Plevris is said to have already requested that the NGOs that collaborated with the Sudanese who appealed against the decision not to have their asylum examined immediately and again in terms of their finances.

The Minister of Immigration and Asylum, speaking yesterday on ERT, noted that “court decisions are respected but the immigration policy is made by the government. It is not done by the courts or by NGOs that like to either appeal or send me daily letters and consider that the bill we are bringing violates principles and values. Respectful of their position but indifferent to the Ministry of Immigration.” He also said, “I am very surprised that NGOs that have been put on the register of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum that are turning against the ministry,” he said and announced that a management audit is expected.