Migrant Deaths: A Recurring Pattern in European Border Management
THE ACTORS: Who defines the narrative? The primary actors in this narrative include the Greek Coast Guard, often presented as rescuers; medical examiners and divers providing forensic details; and unnamed 'human traffickers' who are consistently blamed for unsafe conditions. Notably absent are voices from international human rights organizations and migrant advocacy groups that routinely document
pushbacks and alleged negligence by European border agencies. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) also plays a significant, though often unstated, role in coordinating surveillance and interdiction efforts in the Aegean Sea. THE FUNDING: Where do incentives originate? Greece receives substantial funding from the European Union for border management and enforcement. Between 2014
and 2020, Greece was allocated over €1.6 billion from EU funds for migration and border management. Frontex itself had an annual budget of €757.5 million in 2022, primarily for operational activities including surveillance and interventions (Frontex, 2022 Annual Report). This funding prioritizes deterrence and interception over safe passage and humanitarian reception, shaping operational
directives that can lead to hazardous encounters at sea. The financial incentives lean heavily towards preventing arrivals, rather than ensuring their safety. THE INCENTIVES: What drives the actions? The incentives are multi-layered. For national governments like Greece, strict border control is often portrayed as essential for national security and sovereignty, earning political capital