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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…

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

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…

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…

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…

The Council of State, the Supreme Administrative Court of Greece, has on Friday decided against the appeals of two Syrians…

Day by day the situation regarding serious human rights violations in Turkey is deteriorating, while the crisis in the relations…

On August 23rd the Northern Aegean Appeal Council examined and rejected Turkey’s extradition request against A.M Turkish/British citizen. RSA lawyers…

Hundreds of refugees that entered EU through Greece and reached other EU countries  after 15th of March are in danger…

Foto: Salinia Stroux Refugees in Greece are waiting for indefinite periods for their family reunification to Germany. PRO ASYL and…

The issue of the identification, protection and support of unaccompanied minors in Greece remains of major importance, following the recent…

Following the departure of Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), medical and social services have seriously been minimised in the Registration and Identification…

Statewatch has leaked a version of the code of contact the European Commission has demanded that INGOs involved in SAR…

Photo:  RSA/giorgos moutafis The current living conditions of beneficiaries of international protection in Greece are alarming, as beneficiaries do not only…

The Felony Appeal Court of Dodecanese in Rhodes decided yesterday that the young Syrian – sentenced initially to 25 years…

(a joint PRO ASYL / Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) Policy Note) 14th June 2017 Greek Hotspots: Deaths Not to Be…

It has been 10 days since Turkish lawyer Taner Kiliç, President of Amnesty International Turkey, and well-known human rights defender,…

A Syrian refugee, a Christian of Armenian origin, who lived for about a year in Turkey under the precarious ‘temporary…

PRO ASYL has been co-operating with human rights lawyers and researchers in Greece since 2007 for strategic litigations and the documentation…

Gabriele Del Grande in 2010, when he received the Human Rights Price of Stiftung PRO ASYL. Photo: Gustavo Alabiso Del…

On March 30th a new pre-removal detention center was opened on Kos Island. Similar detention centers are planned on other…

A policy note of the RSA team and partner of PRO ASYL in Greece lays open the fatal consequences the…

“A crucial day for refugee protection in Europe” Athens/Chios/Frankfurt: Today the highest Greek Court will hold a hearing to examine whether…