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Greece in 'Schengenland': Blessing or anathema for citizens' and foreigners' rights?

2003; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 29; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/1369183032000076768

1469-9451

Minas Samatas,

European Criminal Justice and Data Protection

This paper is a case-study of the actual impact of Schengen implementation by the Greek state security apparatus, and its implication for basic and new rights of Greek citizens and foreigners, vis-a ¤ -vis European integration. It is based upon an analysis of special data records, including surveillance of national and alien suspects, asylum and deportations, 'border repulsion of undesirable persons', etc. provided to the press by the Greek Schengen Bureau. Some comparisons are made with other Schengen counterparts. The analysis illustrates those particular geopolitical and sociopolitical control imperatives that actually affect the efficiency of the Schengen Agreement in Greece. Based also on other documented evidence, I conclude that Schengen's impact is a mixed blessing for Greek and European citizens as regards both their free movement, and also potential violations of their privacy and civil liberties. It is clearly an 'immigration anathema' to build a 'Fortress Europe', especially as regards Third World immigrants' and refugees' rights and life chances in the EU. Keywords: GreeceSchengen Information SystemFortress EuropeImmigrantsAsylum-seekers