The Normalization of Pushbacks in Greece: Biopolitics and Racist State Crime

Abstract

The paper discusses pushback operations in Greece as a generalized antiimmigration policy that involves practices constituting racist state crime. beginning from a description of the illegal operations on the Greek/Turkish borders, this paper examines the constant denial tactics of the government and the response of national, regional and international organizations and institutions. It is shown that pushbacks have become a standardized frontline tool of border management. This phenomenon is approached from a criminological viewpoint in terms of racist state crime and as a racist biopolitical technology of power for the government of the migrant populations, and for the defence of society and national identity. Showing that pushbacks are a becoming a central border policy in Europe, the paper concludes with a discussion of the need for both legal and non-legal counter-strategies.