MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Effectiveness of investigations into alleged pushbacks in Greece – E-000772/2025

Question for written answer  E-000772/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE)

The Commission has stated that it ‘is informed that Greece has taken measures and established independent mechanisms’[1] to investigate pushbacks and other fundamental rights violations through a ‘three tier set-up’[2] involving (a) internal control bodies of law enforcement authorities, (b) the National Transparency Authority (NTA) and the Ombudsman, and (c) prosecution services.

How does the Commission evaluate the effectiveness of these mechanisms and their compliance with the enabling conditions of the Common Provisions Regulation[3], regarding:

• 1.Prosecution services, given the serious doubts recently expressed by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) as to the effectiveness of criminal investigations into the ‘systematic practice’ of pushbacks[4]?
• 2.The NTA’s independence and methodology, in the light of recent concerns voiced by the ECtHR[5], and the Ombudsman, in the light of government interference regarding the Pylos shipwreck, including ministerial statements[6] questioning its competence?
• 3.Internal control bodies of law enforcement authorities, given the Greek Coast Guard’s refusal to conduct an internal investigation into the Pylos shipwreck[7]?

Submitted: 19.2.2025

• [1] E-00762/2023(ASW).
• [2] E-001651/2023(ASW).
• [3] Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1060/oj.
• [4] A.R.E. v. Greece (application No 15783/21), paragraphs 198 and 229.
• [5] A.R.E. v. Greece (application No 15783/21), paragraphs 227-228.
• [6] https://www.ynanp.gr/el/gr-epikoinwnias-enhmerwshs/anakoinwsh-toy-ypoyrgeioy-naytilias-kai-nhsiwtikhs-politikhs-sxetika-me-to-deltio-typoy-toy-synhgoroy-toy-polith-04022025/.
• [7] https://www.synigoros.gr/el/category/default/post/deltio-typoy-or-o-synhgoros-toy-polith-ereyna-to-nayagio-ths-pyloy.