Greece in major migrant overhaul after application ban as it pledges to 'review meals'

Migrants could be forced to eat poorer quality meals under plans to deter people from arriving in Greece on small boats. The country's firebrand migration minister, Thanos Plevris, has announced measures which he hopes will make Greece a less tempting destination for asylum seekers.

It comes after almost 3,000 migrants arrived on the shores of Crete last Sunday. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has already announced the freezing of asylum application processing for those coming from North Africa, mainly from Libya.

Under Mr Plevris's proposals, those who remain in Greece after their asylum applications have been rejected will face up to five years in prison.

Benefits support for new arrivals is also to be reviewed, including the meals offered at migrant reception and detention centres. Mr Plevris likened the food currently on offer to that found on hotel menus.

Mr Plevris has demanded greater cooperation from Libya to stop migrants leaving the country. He told reporters on Greece's Skai TV: "We are not going to tolerate an invasion from North Africa."

Greece's parliament on Friday (July 11) approved a three-month suspension of asylum applications from migrants arriving from Libya.

This was despite strong criticism from the United Nations refugee agency and Europe's top human rights official.

The measure suspends asylum application processing for those arriving by sea from North Africa. A dramatic surge in Mediterranean crossings has overwhelmed reception facilities on the Greek island of Crete.

Video emerged this week that appeared to show the moment a boat full of migrants approached a beach in Crete in front of bewildered tourists.

The suspension passed with a vote of 177 to 74 despite fierce opposition from left-wing parties, which unsuccessfully challenged the amendment as unconstitutional.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees expressed deep concern while acknowledging Greece's right to manage borders. UNHCR said border control must be in line with international and European law.

Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, also condemned Athens' response, arguing it would legalise returning people to face a risk of torture and other serious violations, in breach of Greece's international obligations.

He said: "I am aware that the increase in arrivals in Crete over the past six months has created new challenges, but the humanitarian situation would be manageable if authorities reported lack of capacity in detention centres in good time."