has recorded almost 540 reported incidents of informal returns by Greece since the beginning of 2020.” 17 This alarming statement was published a year and a half after the UNHCR had called upon the Greek authorities to investigate the numerous reports of pushbacks at its borders,18 and urged for the protection of asylum seekers.19 In early 2022, ECRE (the European Council on Refugees and Exiles) issued a briefing on Greece for the year 2021, stressing that pushbacks prevent arrivals and push people towards more deadly routes. 20 The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johannson, has also urged Greece to promptly and thoroughly investigate all pushback allegations. The Commissioner, during her speech at the Plenary debate on pushbacks at the EU external borders, stated that: “Violence at our borders is never acceptable. Especially if it is structural and organized”. 21 UNHCR, News Comment: UNHCR warns of increasing violence and human rights violations at European borders- This statement is attributed to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, 21 February 2022, available at: http://bit.ly/3OO0qrn 17 18 UNHCR, UNHCR calls on Greece to investigate pushbacks at sea and land borders with Turkey, 12 June 2020, available at: http://bit.ly/3FhzvRz 19 UNHCR, UNHCR concerned by pushback reports, calls for protection of refugees and asylum-seekers, 21 August 2020, available at: http://bit.ly/3udINHM ECRE, Greece: Deadly End to 2021, Pushbacks Prevent Arrivals and Drive People Towards More Deadly Routes, Closed Controlled Camps Again Face Legal Scrutiny and Criticism, 14 June 2022, available at: http://bit. ly/3igH8hZ 20 21 European Commission, Commissioner Johansson’s speech at the Plenary debate on pushbacks at the EU external border, 20 October 2021, http://bit.ly/3Uvj9t6 8 AT EUROPE’S BORDERS: BETWEEN IMPUNITY AND CRIMINALIZATION