3 | EUROPE’S PRESSURE ON GREECE Over the last 14 months, the Greek government has implemented one of its harshest migration policies, both on the mainland, and at its land and sea borders, in response to repeated threats from EU Member States to suspend its membership of the Schengen Area.12 Greece has been repeatedly criticized by other EU members for its inadequate border control at its Turkish and Western Balkan frontiers. In the beginning of August 2012, the government initiated the massive police operation ‘Xenios Zeus’13 in Athens. 80.000 migrants have been taken into custody under this operation to date, and among these, 5.510 14 (6.9%) were detained for not possessing a valid residence permit; five new ‘pre-removal’ centers15 have been established, with a total combined capacity of 5.000, and the maximum duration of detention permitted has been prolonged to up to 18 months.16 The increased number of people in detention, along with the long detention periods, will most likely render compliance with the numerous View to Turkey from Korakas cape - the northest part of Lesvos island | © Maria Schiffer XVIII | eUROPE’S pRESSURE oN gREECE 12 | Institute of Human Rights and Prevention of Extremism and Xenophobia 2011: Greece may be expelled from Schengen. Available at: http://www.ihrpex.org/en/article/1303/greece_may_be_expelled_from_schengen ; EurActive 2012: Facing Schengen Expulsion, Greece locks up Immigrants. Available at: http://www.euractiv.com/justice/facing-schengen-expulsion-greece-news-511834 ; Cope 2013: Reformer Schengen est une priorite absolue. Available at: http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2013/10/05/01002-20131005ARTFIG00359-lampedusa-cope-veutsanctionner-les-pays-qui-ne-controlent-pas-leurs-frontieres.php 13 | ECRE statement 16.8.2012: “Greece must halt the sweep-operation ‘Xenios Zeus’ and ensure that the right to asylum is guaranteed for persons seeking international protection”. Available at: http://www.ecre.org/component/content/article/56-ecre-actions/307-round-ups-in-greece.html 14 | Hellenic Police 7.10.2013. Available at: http://www.astynomia.gr/index.php?option=ozo_content&lang=%27..%27&perform=view&id=32799&It emid=1179&lang 15 | Greek Action Plan on Asylum and Migration Management; Executive Summary; Progress Report, Jan-May 2013. Available at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/libe/dv/p4_progressreport_/p4_progressreport_en.pdf ; Ministry of Public Order and Citizens Protection answer to Parliamentary Question 9.8.13: “Currently there are five pre-removal detention centers: in Amygdaleza (Athens), Parenesti (Drama), Fylakio (Orestiada), Komotini and Xanthi.”; see also the response of the competent minister of Shipping and of the Aegean Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis. Available at: http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/Koinovouleftikos-Elenchos/Mesa-Koinovouleutikou-Elegxou?pcm_ id=b0cecd42-81be-4eeb-a072-ad3812511ff2 eUROPE’S pRESSURE oN gREECE | 1