Archive

The absence of any investigation into the responsibilities of the competent search and rescue bodies and the leadership of the Greek Coast Guard is deafening​

New illustrations towards building a counter-narrative to the criminalisation of solidarity

What is the current situation in the Closed Controlled Access Centres?​

The situation in the CCAC on Samos.

The situation in the CCAC on Leros.

The situation in the CCAC on Leros.

The situation in the CCAC on Kos

The situation in the CCAC on Chios.

Setara writes about her journey, the situation in Afghanistan, and the powerful message she wishes to send

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

A family of refugees had unlawfully been detained under a “restriction of freedom” in the RIC of Malakasa

Even asylum interviews are no longer being conducted

Video: Rezwana shares her story

RSA Submission to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

What is the Common European Asylum System (CEAS)?

Newly arrived refugees systematically subjected to deprivation of liberty

CJEU’s judgment of major importance

In recent months financial assistance has been suspended for all asylum seekers in Greece

Official 2024 statistics

The European Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law Report, published on July 24, 2024, misleads readers about the state of the rule of law in Greece

The reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS)

The new issue of the Greek Asylum Case Law Report released today provides excerpts from 57 decisions, mainly issued in the first half of 2024.

Clear need of international protection for most asylum seekers in Greece

On the occasion of the World Refugee Day, we publish a transcript of the testimony given to us by Bilal*, a survivor of the Pylos shipwreck.

Recurring serious indications of informal forced returns through sea and land borders

The video of the Press Conference on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the deadly shipwreck off Pylos

Video with testimonials, timeline. The Pylos shipwreck was one of the deadliest in the Mediterranean. The demand for Justice persists.

Inadequate reception conditions in sites isolated from urban centres and with difficult access thereto

The Supreme Court in Greece decided today to deny the extradition of V.K., a Turkish asylum seeker of Kurdish origin.

Refugees arbitrarily deprived of their liberty despite unfeasible deportations

Two human stories behind 13 Coast Guard shots on a refugee boat. On the recent ECtHR ruling regarding the 2014 Pserimos incident

From Hate Speech to Racist Attacks: Patterns of Racist Violence in Greece, 2023. The Annual Report of the Racist Violence Recording Network

Beneficiaries of international protection in Greece. Access to documents and socio-economic rights

Addendum to the Joint Civil Society Submission to the European Commission on the 2024 Rule of Law Report (Greece)

RVRN strongly condemns the violent incident against two LGBTQI+ individuals in Thessaloniki by a large group on Saturday 9 March 2024

The “safe third country” concept is under scrutiny by the CJEU, PRO ASYL and RSA are calling for an end to the EU-Turkey deal

On Thursday 14/32024, hearing before the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg, regarding Turkey as a “safe third country”

On the occasion of 8th of March, RSA shares the voices of three women from different origins and backgrounds.

Τhe European Ombudsman released her conclusions on EU search and rescue as related to the Pylos shipwreck.

During these pushbacks families of asylum seekers are often forcibly separated.

The main European legislative and jurisprudential standards underlying the safe third country concept and their implementation in the Greek asylum system

Disgraceful living conditions prevail in the overcrowded Closed Controlled Access Centre (CCAC) in Samos.

The European Commission should take immediate action to address the deterioration of media freedom and the rule of law in Greece and its impact on fundamental rights

The Serious Incident Report of the Frontex Fundamental Rights Office on the Pylos shipwreck leaves no doubt as to the responsibility of the Greek Coast Guard

Joint call for the closure of the Samos CCAC and for adequate accommodation for people, within communities and in housing.

Report: Persisting deficiencies and emerging threats to the rule of law in Greece – 2024

The annual report for 2022 of the Recording Mechanism of Incidents of Informal Forced Returns in Greece

The HELIOS programme, the only programme for refugee integration in Greece, has been suspended since January 1, 2024, due to lack of funding.

European Court of Human Rights condemned Greece today, Tuesday 16/1/2024, for breaching right to life.

The new issue of the Greek Asylum Case Law Report released today provides excerpts from 70 decisions

The press conference will be conducted entirely in Greek.

The annual report for 2022 of the Recording Mechanism of Incidents of Informal Forced Returns in Greece

In recent months the majority of new arrivals of refugees on the Rhodes – including families with children – end up sleeping on the streets.

In recent months, there has been an increase in the number of ships arriving in Crete and Gavdos, islands which have no official infrastructure for the first reception of asylum seekers and their identification procedures.

The Common European Asylum System (CEAS) is at dire risk of dismantlement in view of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The major protection risks attached to the reform. Webinar organised by the Border Violence Monitoring Network

In this podcast we focus on the deadly shipwreck that happened in Farmakonisi in 2014, for which the European Court of Justice condemned Greece

Flood victims in Greece are housed in unsuitable conditions at the refugee structure in Koutsochero

Οι παραβιάσεις που εντοπίστηκαν από το Δικαστήριο στην υπόθεση του Φαρμακονησίου δεν αποτελούν ένα μεμονωμένο περιστατικό.

The Greek discourse and the consequences expected from the reform of the “Common European Asylum System” (CEAS)

Survivors demand an effective investigation

The RVRN categorically condemns recent incidents involving civilian self-proclaimed ‘militia’ groups engaging in unlawful acts of violence against refugees and migrants in Greece

The tragic human toll currently includes 19 confirmed dead refugees on Evros and escalation of racist discourse and practices

RSA presents an overview of the tragic shipwreck of Pylos with a detailed timeline and other crucial data linked to it.

Refugee single mothers face aggravated challenges and protection risks in Greece.

RSA will stand by the survivors and the relatives of the victims throughout all stages of the process, in order for justice to be served.

Reject the Use of Legal Loopholes in EU Asylum Law Reforms

The new issue provides excerpts from 99 decisions

Joint Statement

The story of a survivor of a different impending shipwreck, two years ago

78 people dead and more than 500 missing after the shipwreck off the coast of Pylos are seeking justice

41 organisations call to ensure human dignity and access to food and water.

Human lives must finally be respected – no more deaths.

The Council of the European Union sets impermissible restrictions on refugees’ access to asylum procedures in Europe.

We remain firmly on the side of those who defend human rights and in particular refugees and immigrants.

The upgrade of the database maintained by the Asylum Service “Alkyoni”, has “frozen” the asylum procedures since early May.

What is happening today in the refugee structures in the Aegean islands: Lesvos CCAC

What is happening today in the refugee structures in the Aegean islands: Chios CCAC

What is happening today in the refugee structures in the Aegean islands: Samos CCAC.

What is happening today in the refugee structures in the Aegean islands: Kos CCAC.

What is happening today in the refugee structures in the Aegean islands: Leros CCAC

Ρατσισμός και στοχοποίηση των υπερασπιστών: Ρωγμές στην ασφάλεια των θυμάτων και το αίσθημα δικαίου

Sharp rise in detention orders, no access to remedies and legal aid in Greece

Systemic deficiencies in the access of beneficiaries of international protection to documents and socio-economic rights

Analysis of main trends in refugee protection

Greece encampment policy and services takeover lead to isolation and deny protection

RSA’s Comments on the draft Immigration Code

As European role model it represents a frontal attack on international refugee protection

Observations on access to the asylum procedure in the Attica region

A Syrian refugee ,victim of informal forced return from Greece to Turkey, is among the earthquake victims in the city of Afrin

The Greek Council of State formulates preliminary questions

Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) and HIAS Greece Joint Submission

Joint Civil Society Submission to the European Commission on the 2023 Rule of Law Report January 2023

RSA is a member of the Registration Mechanism.

The new issue of the Greek Asylum Case Law Report released today provides excerpts from 120 decisions

What remains to be decided are its accompanying measures​

A step backwards for protection and integration

Campaign for Access to Asylum

Joint Letter: Repeal the national list of safe third countries

According to all indications the person has been unlawfully pushed back to Turkey.

The Greek Asylum Service must urgently resolve technical problems

Refugees receiving protection in Greece and those returned thereto from other European countries continue to face prolonged delays in the renewal of their residence permits.

Nearly 100 recognised refugees have been deported to Greece in the first half of 2022

Report prepared by Equal Rights Beyond Borders, HIAS Greece & Refugee Support Aegean

Refugee women remain undocumented four months after return from Sweden to Greece

The way in which the Ministry of Migration handled last month’s case concerning the Syrian people who were left stranded for days in Evros, while sparking a general public outcry, cannot but cause concern and call for reflection.

The undersigned NGOs strongly oppose the introduction and use of the concept of instrumentalisation and its codification in EU law;

High recognition rates, rise in subsequent applications due to generalised “safe third country” policy.

Mini documentary, briefing, stories of four families of recognised refugees in Greece and photos about The Cartoneros of Athens

Athens, 11/7/2022 Moderation: Dimitris Angelidis, Journalist Giorgos Tsarbopoulos, former Greece Representative, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees I want to…

Today’s judgment from the ECtHR comes eight years following the tragic incident. It vindicates the victims by awarding compensation from the Greek State and brings to light an issue systematically concealed in public discourse: push backs and systematic deterrence practices which put lives at risk on a daily basis in Evros and the Aegean.

The new issue of the Greek Asylum Case Law Report released today provides excerpts from 79 decisions issued in the first half of 2022 by Administrative Courts, the Independent Appeals Committees and the Asylum Service.

six Greek civil society organisations, members of the Informal Forced Returns Recording Mechanism established by the Greek National Commission for Human Rights in response to systematic push back allegations in the country, submitted a briefing to the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), covering systemic breaches of the rule of law and the EU acquis by Greek authorities.

This note analyses current detention practice based on the latest available statistics on immigration detention and judicial review thereof, as well as on testimonies from refugees detained in Greece.

ONE MORE ACQUITTAL SHOWS THE DRAMATIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE CRIMINALISATION OF REFUGEES ENTERING IN EU TERRITORY On May 19, 2022,…

Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) completes registration on the NGO Registry  The Special Secretariat for Stakeholder Coordination at the Ministry of…

National Transparency Authority should publish the full investigation regarding pushbacks in accordance with the principle of transparency Download the Press…

The updated report on the situation of beneficiaries of international protection in Greece, published today by RSA and Stiftung PRO ASYL, highlights chronic legal and practical barriers excluding them from the basic documents and socio-economic rights needed to rebuild their lives.

This Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) policy note analyses the main trends and developments in the Greek asylum procedure through statistics provided by national authorities in response to parliamentary questions and in monthly reports of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. It formulates observations and recommendations for filling existing gaps in the quality of data published by the administration.

Farhad*, a 31-year-old recognised refugee, was returned from Germany to Greece at the beginning of July 2021 after spending more than five years in Germany waiting for his asylum claim to be processed.

Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) and PRO ASYL call upon the European Commission to immediately launch infringement proceedings against Greece regarding systemic violations of international and EU law, stemming from the arbitrary rejection of asylum applications based on the “safe third country” concept and from the prevention of refugees’ access to asylum procedures.

Almost two months after the deadly shipwrecks in Paros, Folegandros and Antikythera, the bodies of missing refugees and migrants are still found scattered all over the Aegean. The survivors – relatives and companions of these people who were anxiously searching for clues about their fate, instead of receiving the necessary psychosocial care under decent accommodation conditions, were taken to the Pre-removal Detention Centre (PROKEKA) in Amygdaleza where they remained in administrative detention for more than a month. The recent shipwrecks have once again highlighted the huge shortcomings in the information, support and care of survivors, in the coordination for the management of shipwreck victims such as the protocol for the search and identification of the missing and dead respectively and the referral to an appropriate accommodation facility.

Two years after the violent crackdown on citizens in Chios and Lesvos who oppose the transformation of the islands into prisons for refugees and migrants, dissatisfaction with the refugee response is growing.

Michalis Psimitis, Professor of Sociology at the University of the Aegean and Coordinator of the Anti-Racist Observatory of the University of the Aegean, explains the goals served by the escalation of control and surveillance regimes for refugees

In its submission to the 2022 Rule of Law Report of the European Commission, RSA highlights developments and persisting concerns relating to the rule of law through the lens of the Greek asylum system.

The European Commission tabled legislative proposals to amend the Schengen Borders Code and to address so-called “instrumentalisation” in migration and asylum, two months after 12 Member States, including Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, requested the “adaptation of EU law to new realities” and after the European Council called on the Commission to take legislative measures.

The first issue of the Greek Asylum Case Law Report published today is a joint initiative of the Greek Council for Refugees (GCR), HIAS Greece and Refugee Support Aegean (RSA), organisations providing legal support and representation to refugees and asylum seekers in Greece. The note compiles extracts of decisions of Administrative Courts, the Independent Appeals Committees and the Asylum Service in the area international protection selected from the casework of the above organisations.

Despite constant appeals from humanitarian organisations and dozens of media reports regarding the economic impasse faced by thousands of refugees and asylum seekers in Greece in recent months, the problem has not been solved.

An expert opinion by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) released today finds the Greek legal framework on the registration of NGOs working with refugees and migrants (Joint Ministerial Decision 10616/2020) “in clear violation” of standards of international law, EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The Ombudsman calls the administration to re-examine the rejection of registration on the ground that it contravenes the “acquis of international, EU and national law”.

The undersigned non-governmental organisations were surprised to be informed that the Ministry of Migration and Asylum denied the registration of non-profit civil society organisation “Refugee Support Aegean” (RSA) on its NGO Registry, despite a positive opinion from competent services. We are particularly concerned by the substantive ground for such rejection, citing that the “development of activity” “in support of persons under deportation” is contrary to Greek legislation.

Greece’s decision to suspend access to its asylum process in March 2020 as a response to pressure from Turkey set…

Dublin returnees without effective access to asylum procedures and accommodation in Greece, now under risk of readmission to Turkey

Greek authorities unlawfully pushed a group including Syrian refugee back to Turkey through the Evros land border, while a procedure for interim measures was pending before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

One year after the historic conviction of Golden Dawn, the Racist Violence Recording Network calls to mind the importance of the judicial decision that sent a clear message against the criminal organization and organized racist violence. In parallel, the Network warns that there is no room for complacency, as the modus operandi of organized violence continues to severely affect social cohesion.

Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) and Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) filed judicial review applications before the Greek Council of State for the annulment of the Joint Ministerial Decision of the Minister of Migration and Asylum and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of 7 June 2021. The Decision designated Turkey as a safe third country for nationals of Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The dismantling of the Greek asylum system​

This note summarises and analyses key statistics on the functioning of the Greek asylum procedure during the first half of 2021, based on figures provided by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum in response to parliamentary questions.

The Deportations and Returns Bill tabled by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum to Parliament on 25 August 2021 fully disregards the positions and concerns put forward by civil society and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) regarding compliance with international and EU law on asylum and migration. Without any justification, the drafters of the bill omit over 60 comments tabled by experts in the public consultation, thereby circumventing a necessary institution to safeguard the rule of law and better law-making.

While the Greek government is sending contradictory messages about dealing with the humanitarian crisis caused by the return of the Taliban to power, thousands of Afghan refugees living in Greece are anxious for the fate of their relatives and themselves, as based on the Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) issued in June they may be returned to Turkey as a safe third country with a risk of onward deportation to Afghanistan.

Official data demonstrate that the Greek authorities continue to systematically detain asylum seekers and irregular migrants. The figures reveal a severe violation of the duty of the state to use deprivation of liberty only as a last resort, when necessity and proportionality so require.

WE ARE DEEPLY THANKFUL – Update on the collection of computers for refugee children

Online press conference

Greece is intensifying its detention policy under the hypocritical and tolerating gaze of the EU. More specifically, on Kos and – during the operation of the pre-removal centre – in Evros the authorities apply a policy of generalised and systematic detention of newly arrived asylum seekers subject to a few exceptions, whereas even vulnerable people are detained for prolonged periods.

RSA publishes the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) “Turkey: Content of Protection – Country Information Pack”, last updated in August 2019.

our organisations stress that “externalization simply shifts asylum responsibilities elsewhere and evades international obligations”. We once again call on the Greek and European authorities to honour their responsibility to protect refugees and to avoid further undermining the European asylum acquis and the fundamental principles and values for protecting human rights. To this end, we call on Greece to revoke the JMD issued on 7 June.

Risks of repression of civil society organisations supporting refugees and migrants in Greece have been heavily exacerbated by successive legislative reforms in 2020, introducing disproportionate and ambiguous requirements for registration on two Registries managed by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

We are collecting old laptops, of the past 8 years, and to distribute them to refugee children, thus enabling them to attend educational classes remotely

Download the Letter In a letter sent on 27 April 2021 to the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson,…

Another dignified reception facility shut down Another dignified reception facility shut down Photo: Elias Marcou The refugee reception facility run…

Download the Note In September 2020, as part of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, the European Commission tabled…

Excluded and Segregated The vanishing education of refugee children in Greece​ Excluded and Segregated The vanishing education of refugee children…

In a report titled “Excluded and Segregated. The vanishing education of refugee children in Greece”, Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) tracks…

Over the last years, the undersigned organisations have been receiving allegations of push-backs at the country’s land and sea borders….

The Ministry failed to pay due regard to vulnerable categories of children that will be affected by the provisions such as asylum seekers and refugees

Refugees and islanders talked about the effects of the deal on their lives and on local communities. The event was coordinated by journalist Fotini Lampridi.

Four experts present the impact of confinement on the mental health, rights and life of the “children of the deal”.

Three illustrative stories of refugees who experienced the tragic consequences of the implementation of the “deal” at any cost remind us that human rights are trampled every day in the Reception and Identification Centres of the Aegean islands.

The Statement / “Deal” of the Heads of European Union (EU) Member States and Turkey represents an institutional deviation, five…

Since March 2016 the Statement / “Deal” of the Heads of European Union (EU) Member States and Turkey represents an…

Download theLegal Note From its very inception in early March 2016, the EU-Turkey deal signed on 18 March 2016 was…

RSA  Submission in the M.S.S. / Sakir cases: coe.int

Statistics provided by the Appeals Authority to Refugee Support Aegean (RSA)[1] give rise to important observations on the examination of…

Athens, 21 January 2020 Dear Minister, With this letter, the below signatory humanitarian, human rights and protection organizations would like…

Legal aid organizations express concerns regarding the unprecedented administrative practice of the Regional Asylum Office of Lesvos, which goes against…

We, the undersigned organizations working in the area of human rights, express our gravest concerns regarding the recent arrests in…

Athens, May 2, 2019 The borders of Greece at Evros tend to become an area outside the law, a place…

Manifesto for the 2019 European elections by 5 organisations from France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain

PROTECTION FOR RECOGNIZED REFUGEES IN GREECE REMAINS IN PAPER In June 2017, Refugee Support Aegean (RSA)/ PRO ASYL published a…

(Athens, December 6, 2018) – The Greek government and its European Union partners should urgently ensure that all asylum seekers…

The situation in the Aegean hotspots remains very critical despite persistent calls from NGOs and international organizations to end the…

Athens 24 October 2018 With regard to the intensification of the problems in the islands of Eastern Aegean, both concerning…

The Administrative Arrangement between Ministry of migration Policy of the Hellenic Republic and the Federal Ministry of Interior of the…

Gradually, hotspots on the Greek islands have acquired more characteristics far different to those initially announced in terms of their…

On 9 August, the Aegean became once more a graveyard for seven refugee children after a boat carrying around 13…

On 29 June, the Regional Governor of North Aegean announced a decision ordering the closure of PIKPA camp – a…

PRO-ASYL and Refugee Support Aegean wish to express once more their profound concerns over the loss of sixteen lives following the capsizing of…

On 16 March 2018, a refugee boat sank near the Greek island of Agathonisi. Sixteen persons perished including seven children and two babies and at least three are missing.

In the absence of a real refugee and migration crisis on the external borders of Europe this year, arrivals down…

In Decision No. 912/2018, Greece’s Supreme Court 6th Section ruled in favour of the extradition of Turgut Kaya, a political…

Violence in Patras Port: Ill-treatment of refugees as deterrent to migration Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) fact-finding mission (27 to 28…

Between 10-11 May 2018, the Last Rights Project held an historic meeting on Lesvos island, to discuss and agree a new declaration of rights for all…

A Lesbos court yesterday acquitted three volunteer lifeguards of Spanish NGO PROEM-AID and two volunteer lifeguards from the NGO Team…

In the framework of their campaign #StopTheToxicDeal RSA and PRO ASYL publish today their common statement against the toxic EU-Turkey…

In the framework of their campaign #StopTheToxicDeal RSA and PRO ASYL publish today the final topic that concerns Turkey as…

In the framework of their campaign #StopTheToxicDeal RSA and PRO ASYL publish today the fourth topic that concerns Detention. #StopTheToxicDeal

In the framework of their campaign #StopTheToxicDeal RSA and PRO ASYL publish today the third topic that concerns vulnerability. #StopTheToxicDeal

In the framework of their campaign #StopTheToxicDeal RSA and PRO ASYL publish today the second topic that concerns xenophobia #StopTheToxicDeal

In the framework of their campaign #StopTheToxicdeal RSA and PRO ASYL publish today the first topic that concerns reception conditions…

#StopTheToxicDeaL Two years after its implementation, the EU-Turkey ‘deal’ still stands at the forefront of European Union (EU) Policy on…

Despite the large number of civilian casualties in conflict ravaged Afghanistan, Germany and other European countries continue forcibly returning Afghan…

Afghan refugees deported from Germany are forced to flee again. Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) researchers met with four of the…

Despite the Government announcements that it will ensure access to education for all refugee children living in Greece, the majority…

By the Legal Aid Actors Task Force, January 2018 The following observations are drawn from the experience of 14 organisations assisting…

At the end of October the Ministry of Migration Policy has decided to decongest 2000 people from overcrowded hot-spots in…

Photo copyright: Salinia Stroux Dramatic shortages in both mainland and Greek islands force organizations and solidarity groups to search for…

Despite repeated warnings from numerous organisations thousands of refugees will be in danger as weather deteriorates. The Greek government has…

LEGAL NOTE UNHCR has Failed to Stand Up for Refugee Rights During Crucial EU-Turkey Deal Judgement October 20th 2017 On…

The highest administrate Greek court, the Council of State confirmed in a judgment published on 22 September, the decisions of…

Despite facilities in Kos have already reached maximum capacity due to increased arrivals from Turkey, the few last weeks authorities…