Why Sudanese Refugees Face Prison in Greece for Steering Boats

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Imagine fleeing war and chaos in Sudan, seeking safety, only to end up behind bars in Europe. This nightmare is absolute for many Sudanese refugees in Greece. They find themselves caught in a cruel trap. Smugglers force them to steer flimsy boats across dangerous waters. Then, Greek authorities charge them as criminals under harsh anti-smuggling laws. It’s a devastating cycle affecting our brothers and sisters from the diaspora.

They escape violence back home, often leaving everything behind. The journey itself is perilous, controlled by smugglers who care little for human life. Facing threats or impossible choices, some refugees are coerced into piloting these vessels. Consequently, upon arrival, instead of refuge, they face staggering prison sentences, sometimes lasting hundreds of years.

Sudan Refugees Greece: Fleeing Conflict for Uncertain Shores

The situation in Sudan is dire, pushing millions from their homes. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), starting in April 2023, has been catastrophic. It displaced a staggering 12.5 million people (USA for UNHCR). This conflict adds to existing problems like economic collapse and long-standing violence.

Even before this latest war, Sudan was a hub of displacement. It hosted over a million refugees from neighboring countries like South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea (The Plight of Refugees in Sudan). Factors such as the Darfur crisis, which began in 2003, creeping desertification, and political instability following Omar al-Bashir’s removal in 2019 have contributed to decades of displacement (Wikipedia). Therefore, many Sudanese seek safety elsewhere, often ending up in countries like Egypt, only to face further hardship and pressure to move toward Europe.

Forced Boat Steering: A Smuggler’s Deadly Ultimatum

Smugglers operating across the Mediterranean exploit the desperation of migrants. Their networks range from loose groups of opportunists to sophisticated criminal organizations linked to trafficking (Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime). These groups often force passengers, including Sudanese refugees, to pilot the boats. They use threats of violence or offer fake discounts on travel fees.

One Sudanese refugee starkly stated, “It was steer or they would kill me” (The Guardian). This quote highlights the life-or-death pressure people face. H. Elfallah, a 45-year-old Egyptian fisherman, was sentenced to 280 years in Greece for steering a boat. Evidence showed smugglers coerced him in exchange for a cheaper fare for himself and his son (Euronews). Tragically, these acts of desperation under duress are treated as criminal smuggling by Greek authorities.

Migrant Smuggling Charges: Greece’s Draconian Law

Greece uses a harsh 2014 anti-smuggling law against arriving migrants. This law mandates severe penalties, often 10-15 years in prison for each person transported (Euronews). It allows for astronomical sentences, like the potential 4,760 years faced by H. Elfallah before his term was reduced. The law makes little distinction between organized smugglers and passengers forced to steer briefly.

Consequently, Greek prisons are filling with refugees and migrants, many of whom are people of color. Between 2022 and 2025, over 200 Sudanese refugees were jailed on smuggling charges, often just for touching the tiller under threat (freemovement.org.uk). Prosecutors frequently ignore evidence of duress, relying on testimonies obtained under stressful post-rescue conditions. In the tragic “Pylos 9” case, survivors were even charged with “causing a shipwreck,” despite clear evidence they were passengers, not crew (The New Humanitarian).

Greek Prison Conditions: Systemic Issues Worsen Trauma

The problems extend beyond unjust convictions. Conditions within Greek detention centers and prisons often exacerbate the trauma refugees carry. Many asylum seekers are held in camps described as “prison-like.” Over 90% experience anxiety or depression in these settings (Amnesty EU). These facilities often feature extensive surveillance, including advanced technologies funded by the European Union.

Furthermore, reports describe squalid conditions in detention, sometimes located on military bases. Issues include rodent infestations and denial of essential medical care, mirroring grim accounts from deportation camps in places like Egypt (The New Humanitarian). The Greek judicial system also shows systemic flaws. Authorities often disregard evidence that could clear the accused. For instance, a July 2023 report from Egypt exonerating the “Pylos 9” was ignored by Greek prosecutors for almost a year (The New Humanitarian).

EU Migration Policies: A Dangerous Domino Effect

European Union policies aimed at stopping migration contribute significantly to this crisis. The EU’s focus on border security often pushes vulnerable people into more danger. For example, a €7.4 billion deal with Egypt intended to curb migration led to mass deportations of Sudanese refugees (The New Humanitarian). This leaves desperate people with fewer options, forcing them onto riskier sea routes controlled by smugglers.

Additionally, the heavy militarization of EU borders makes the journey itself more hazardous. Increased patrols and surveillance by agencies like Frontex and even NATO forces in the Aegean Sea (University of Warwick) compel smugglers to abandon boats prematurely. This leaves passengers, often untrained and terrified, to navigate on their own. Consequently, those forced to take the helm are then arrested and charged by authorities upon reaching shore (Euronews).

The Human Cost: Lives Shattered by Policy

The cumulative effect of these policies is a profound humanitarian crisis. Sudanese refugees, already fleeing unimaginable trauma, face further suffering in Europe. The psychological toll is immense. A 2025 report highlighted severe trauma among Sudanese detained in Greece, with 41% exhibiting suicidality due to prolonged detention and hopeless conditions (Business & Human Rights Resource Centre).

Even for those eventually released after serving sentences or having charges dropped, the future remains uncertain. Many are left in legal limbo, stuck in detention camps awaiting asylum decisions (Oxfam Digital Repository). They often face deportation back to danger or indefinite stays in poor conditions, with little support for integration or recovery. Ultimately, the system designed to deter smuggling ends up punishing the victims, disproportionately impacting Black refugees seeking safety.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.