Greece has been condemned several times by the European Court of Human Rights for its inhuman and degrading detention conditions in cases concerning asylum-seekers, including unaccompanied children. Immigration and asylum detention has steadily increased since 2017, while recent legislative reforms render more asylum-seekers detainable, for longer periods (up to 36 months), and with less procedural guarantees. The Greek authorities also move towards the establishment of closed centres on the Aegean islands that will replace the existing hotspots.
RSA supports cases of asylum-seekers before the Greek authorities and in litigation before the European Court of Human Rights and challenges the lawfulness of their detention, focusing especially on victims of torture and persons suffering with mental health problems as well as their conditions of detention.
Voices from Detention
Detention, Uncertainty, and Rights Violations
Pressing need for legal aid
Submission to the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in M.D. v. Greece
This note analyses official statistics on return, deportation and immigration detention in Greece in 2024
A family of refugees had unlawfully been detained under a “restriction of freedom” in the RIC of Malakasa
RSA Submission to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
Newly arrived refugees systematically subjected to deprivation of liberty
Refugees arbitrarily deprived of their liberty despite unfeasible deportations
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: Kos CCAC.
Sharp rise in detention orders, no access to remedies and legal aid in Greece
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,…
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.
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.
Legal aid organizations express concerns regarding the unprecedented administrative practice of the Regional Asylum Office of Lesvos, which goes against…
In the framework of their campaign #StopTheToxicDeal RSA and PRO ASYL publish today the fourth topic that concerns Detention. #StopTheToxicDeal
Despite facilities in Kos have already reached maximum capacity due to increased arrivals from Turkey, the few last weeks authorities…
On March 30th a new pre-removal detention center was opened on Kos Island. Similar detention centers are planned on other…