{"id":25647,"date":"2026-02-17T10:54:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T08:54:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/?p=25647"},"modified":"2026-02-17T12:57:02","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T10:57:02","slug":"crete-2025-fourfold-increase-in-refugee-arrivals-absence-of-state-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/crete-2025-fourfold-increase-in-refugee-arrivals-absence-of-state-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Crete &#8211; Gavdos 2025: Fourfold increase in refugee arrivals and absence of state planning"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"25647\" class=\"elementor elementor-25647 elementor-25446\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b84084 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9b84084\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dce2980 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dce2980\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Crete &#8211; Gavdos 2025: Fourfold increase in refugee arrivals and absence of state planning<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7658df5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7658df5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"hide\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Arrival statistics for 2025, suspension of access to asylum, lack of reception infrastructure, shifting of responsibilities to local authorities, and criminalisation of refugees<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04a0bb8 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"04a0bb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti2-1.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"2025_kriti2\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU2NDksInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC8yMDI1X2tyaXRpMi0xLmpwZyJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti2-1-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25649\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti2-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti2-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti2-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti2-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti2-1-1250x703.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti2-1-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti2-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a74b990 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"a74b990\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:&quot;#hide, #hide2, #hide1&quot;,&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;,&quot;h4&quot;,&quot;h5&quot;,&quot;h6&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tContents\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__a74b990\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__a74b990\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__a74b990\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdb40a0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cdb40a0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-830b431 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"830b431\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Introduction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-832fe86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"832fe86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2025, arrivals to Crete and Gavdos increased fourfold compared to the previous year, with Crete being the main point of entry for refugees arriving in Greece. However, no improvement was recorded in reception infrastructure or services and, despite repeated announcements in recent years, no new reception facilities were established. Thousands of people in need of international protection continued to be transferred to makeshift and unsuitable spaces, deprived of their basic rights, without access to meaningful information or legal assistance, and with a significant number facing criminalisation on charges of smuggling.<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, between 14 July and 14 October 2025, Greece suspended access to asylum for all refugees arriving in the country via North Africa, placing approximately 2,000 people in detention without prospects or protection, in clear violation of their rights. At the same time, the number of shipwrecks in the area increased significantly in 2025, resulting in dozens of deaths and missing persons.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-090b1d5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"090b1d5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0a52e4 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b0a52e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Arrivals in Crete and Gavdos in 2025<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27a225a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"27a225a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab9c23f elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ab9c23f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In July 2025, we published <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/crete-gavdos-7336-refugee-arrivals-h1-2025\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">data<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on arrivals to Crete and Gavdos for the first half of the year, which already indicated a sharp increase, with 7,336 people arriving. During the second half of 2025, arrivals to both islands continued to rise, despite the implementation of a three-month suspension of access to asylum for people arriving from North Africa.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the present publication, we present the<\/span><b> consolidated data on refugee arrivals to Crete and Gavdos throughout 2025<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, based on our own data collection and analysis. The dataset includes all arrival incidents recorded in the area during this period and is based on cross-checked information from official announcements by the Hellenic Coast Guard, statements by local authorities, as well as reports in local and national media.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All incidents included have been verified through relevant announcements issued by the Hellenic Coast Guard.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a645283 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a645283\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>According to this data, a total of\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb4870a elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"eb4870a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"2000\" data-to-value=\"20187\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\".\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e43cf13 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e43cf13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>refugees arrived in Crete and Gavdos\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e75ad9b elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"e75ad9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-title\">through<\/div>\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"2000\" data-to-value=\"356\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\".\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53afd46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53afd46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>separate incidents in 2025.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bda8662 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bda8662\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The graphs below illustrate arrivals by location and by month, the number of incidents on a monthly basis, as well as the nationalities of newly arrived refugees.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7de6e79 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7de6e79\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9f8079 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b9f8079\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-834f887 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"834f887\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-chart\" data-src=\"visualisation\/27443421\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/27443421\/thumbnail\" width=\"100%\" alt=\"chart visualization\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-001ff77 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"001ff77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-table\" data-src=\"visualisation\/27443499\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/27443499\/thumbnail\" width=\"100%\" alt=\"table visualization\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed9b94d elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"ed9b94d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-map\" data-src=\"visualisation\/27443662\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/27443662\/thumbnail\" width=\"100%\" alt=\"map visualization\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c59da8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"2c59da8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-chart\" data-src=\"visualisation\/27443937\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/27443937\/thumbnail\" width=\"100%\" alt=\"chart visualization\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-471fa8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"471fa8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the purposes of this publication, we submitted a <\/span><b>formal request to the Hellenic Coast Guard<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> regarding the official data on arrivals to Crete and Gavdos in 2025. According to the response we received on 22 January 2026, the number of arrivals recorded by the authorities amounts to 19,799 individuals, compared to the 20,187 arrivals documented by our organisation for the same period, all of which were cross-checked against Coast Guard announcements. This discrepancy may be attributed to the fact that the Coast Guard does not include individuals charged with smuggling in its arrival statistics, as clarified to us in previous relevant communication. At the same time, we addressed a request to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) regarding its operational presence in Crete; however, no data was provided in response.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a26e5b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1a26e5b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2f112a elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f2f112a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With regard to <\/span><b>nationalities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, based on data provided by the Hellenic Coast Guard, the three main countries of origin of people arriving in Gavdos and Crete in 2025 were <\/span><b>Sudan (37.3%)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Egypt (37.1%)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Bangladesh (18.6%)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a438851 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a438851\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a900711 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"a900711\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-hierarchy\" data-src=\"visualisation\/27444071\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/27444071\/thumbnail\" width=\"100%\" alt=\"hierarchy visualization\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbdc580 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"fbdc580\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-table\" data-src=\"visualisation\/27444134\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/27444134\/thumbnail\" width=\"100%\" alt=\"table visualization\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88209b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"88209b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-map\" data-src=\"visualisation\/27473518\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/27473518\/thumbnail\" width=\"100%\" alt=\"map visualization\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef5b379 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ef5b379\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, according to announcements by the Hellenic Coast Guard, throughout 2025 the majority of boats departed from Eastern Libya, primarily from the Tobruk area. <\/span><\/p><p><strong>Based on the data provided by the Hellenic Coast Guard in its response, 99.40% of refugees who arrived in Crete and Gavdos in 2025 departed from Libya.<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the newly arrived individuals, <\/span><b>particularly vulnerable cases requiring heightened protection<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are consistently recorded, including infants, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hcg.gr\/el\/epikairothta\/synexeia-enhmerwshs-anaforika-me-ton-entopismo-kai-diaswsh-59-allodapwn-sthn-ierapetra-entopismos-kai-diaswsh-63-allodapwn-sthn-kalamata-syllhpsh-allodapwn-sth-8essalonikh-diakomidh-as8enoys\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pregnant women<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and people with serious health conditions. Indicatively, on 26 December an 18-month-old baby from Sudan arrived in Crete and required hospitalisation in an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patris.gr\/kriti\/sti-meth-paidon-tou-pagni-to-vrefos-apo-to-soudan-krisimi-i-katastasi-tou\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">intensive care unit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In other incidents, people did not survive the conditions of the dangerous journey, which frequently results in hypothermia, dehydration and severe exhaustion, such as two refugees from Bangladesh who <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neakriti.gr\/kriti\/lasithi\/2149776_den-ta-kataferan-dyo-apo-toys-metanastes-poy-nosileyontan-sto-benizeleio-sto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">died<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in hospital following a rescue operation on 23 November, south of Ierapetra.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68b2228 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"68b2228\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f57c27 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5f57c27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, throughout 2025 (and particularly during the second half of the year) <\/span><b>a significant increase in shipwrecks was recorded in the area of Crete and Gavdos<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with dozens of people losing their lives and many others remaining missing to this day. These incidents starkly illustrate the risks associated with the sea route from North Africa and the severe human cost of the absence of safe and legal pathways. RSA will present a detailed overview of shipwrecks recorded throughout 2025 in a forthcoming publication.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5548f13 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5548f13\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20bcc7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"20bcc7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-table\" data-src=\"visualisation\/27473688\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/27473688\/thumbnail\" width=\"100%\" alt=\"table visualization\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f5d6ad elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7f5d6ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"hide1\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Video: Refugees call for help moments before the capsizing and the death of 6 of them<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-972cdab elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"972cdab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;hosted&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-hosted-video elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<video class=\"elementor-video\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0393\u03b1\u03cd\u03b4\u03bf\u03c2-\u039f\u03b9-\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2-\u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03ac\u03b6\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd-\u03b2\u03bf\u03ae\u03b8\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1-\u03c0\u03ac\u03bd\u03c9-\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd-\u03b2\u03ac\u03c1\u03ba\u03b1.mp4\" controls=\"\" preload=\"metadata\" controlsList=\"nodownload\"><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-739b526 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"739b526\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Footage obtained by KRITI TV from the fatal incident of 11\/11\/2025.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Fifteen nautical miles south of Gavdos, refugees crowded on a boat can be heard shouting \u201chelp\u201d.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortly afterwards, the boat capsized during the approach of a Frontex vessel, resulting in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patris.gr\/kriti\/navagio-sti-gavdo-exi-soroi-exoun-entopistei-erevnes-gia-okto-akomi-agnooumenous\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">six people being pulled dead<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the sea and at least another 8 missing.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the initial Hellenic Coast Guard\u2019s statement (prior to the completion of the search operation for missing persons), when the Frontex vessel approached the boat \u201cto collect those on board, there was a movement of the passengers towards the left side of the vessel, resulting in water ingress and its capsizing.\u201d \u201cIn total, fifty-five (55) third-country nationals were rescued (51 men, 1 woman and 3 minors), and three (03) bodies were recovered (2 men and 1 woman).\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was further noted that \u201cweather conditions were adverse, with westerly winds of 6\u20137 Beaufort and wave heights of up to 3 metres.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe6fb0f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fe6fb0f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9071560 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9071560\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f35329 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1f35329\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecfac25 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ecfac25\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f932d03 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f932d03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Three-month suspension of access to asylum for arrivals in Crete and Gavdos<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef818bd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ef818bd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80237ce elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"80237ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>From 14 July to 14 October 2025, Greece suspended access to the asylum procedure for all refugees who entered the country via North Africa, a measure that in practice applied to arrivals in Crete and Gavdos. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This three-month suspension, imposed through legislative regulation in violation of fundamental principles of national, European and international law, did not lead to an overall decrease in arrivals, despite related government claims. On the contrary, arrivals during the second half of 2025 increased further, confirming that the suspension of the right to asylum does not function as a deterrent, particularly for people seeking safety.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The suspension of asylum followed a series of policy announcements centred on \u201cdeterrence\u201d already recorded during the first half of 2025. The deployment of Greek <\/span><b>frigates <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">south of Crete, presented as a deterrent measure, constitutes a characteristic example of a practice that lacks transparency and any assessment of effectiveness, while at the same time breaching fundamental obligations related to search and rescue and the protection of refugees. Instead of implementing the existing legal framework on reception and asylum, the authorities opted to establish a regime of exception at the expense of individual rights.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As documented in a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/suspension-of-asylum-in-greece-rights-vilations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">detailed publication<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by RSA, the suspension of asylum had immediate and serious consequences for the rights of people arriving in Crete and Gavdos, leading to the prolonged and unjustified <\/span><b>detention <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of approximately 2,000 individuals, without access to the asylum procedure and without effective protection safeguards. During the implementation of the measure, the European Court of Human Rights intervened on two occasions (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/ecthr-blocks-greece-refugee-deportations-asylum-suspension\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14\/08\/2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/asylum-suspension-ecthr-greece-prohibited-from-deporting-refugees\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">29\/08\/2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) by issuing interim measures prohibiting the deportation of individuals who had been denied the right to seek international protection. However, this practice was not fully halted, as only nationals of Sudan and Eritrea were exempted from mid-September onwards.<\/span><\/p><p><b>We reiterate that, instead of suspending access to asylum and establishing a regime of exception, the competent authorities should have applied the explicit legal provisions for the immediate reception and identification of newly arrived individuals in Crete.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The ongoing lack of planning and of even basic reception infrastructure cannot be substituted by measures that undermine the right to asylum and weaken the rule of law.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33cb34b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"33cb34b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;],&quot;sticky_parent&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:47,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59be8cf elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"59be8cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anastoli_asylou_sinthikesEN6.png\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Suspension of asylum, Greece 2025\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU2NjQsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9hbmFzdG9saV9hc3lsb3Vfc2ludGhpa2VzRU42LnBuZyJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anastoli_asylou_sinthikesEN6-819x1024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25664\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anastoli_asylou_sinthikesEN6-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anastoli_asylou_sinthikesEN6-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anastoli_asylou_sinthikesEN6-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anastoli_asylou_sinthikesEN6-400x500.png 400w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anastoli_asylou_sinthikesEN6.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51a117f elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"51a117f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/suspension-of-asylum-in-greece-rights-vilations\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read more about the suspension of asylum<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6aae5f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d6aae5f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa35a7d elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aa35a7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Lack of structure and planning - Serious gaps in services<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61a172e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"61a172e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite a fourfold increase in arrivals to Crete in 2025, the competent authorities <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/crete-gavdos-7336-refugee-arrivals-h1-2025\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">continued<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to fail to implement the explicit provisions of the legislation on the immediate reception and identification of newly arrived individuals. To this day, no facility of the Reception and Identification Service (Reception and Identification Centre) is operational on the island, nor has a mobile unit been deployed to carry out the strictly necessary and urgent first reception procedures. As a result, there is a complete absence of systematic vulnerability identification, alongside delays or even the denial of fundamental protection safeguards.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the same time, severe <\/span><b>shortcomings <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have been recorded with regard to the provision of <\/span><b>adequate interpretation services<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and meaningful <\/span><b>information <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to refugees on their rights and the procedures affecting them.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e493ca elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3e493ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ThalassaSolidarity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/thalassa_allilegggiis-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25651\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/thalassa_allilegggiis-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/thalassa_allilegggiis-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/thalassa_allilegggiis-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/thalassa_allilegggiis-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/thalassa_allilegggiis-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/thalassa_allilegggiis.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Thalassa of Solidarity<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95cb2b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"95cb2b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lack of sustainable planning is not a new phenomenon, but rather a longstanding choice which, in 2025, led to further invisibility of people arriving in Crete and to their systematic deprivation of liberty, without any effort to pursue sustainable and lawful reception solutions. The organisation <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ThalassaSolidarity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thalassa of Solidarity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, active in Heraklion, described the situation to us as follows: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPeople are invisible. The media report arrivals in a purely procedural manner, placing greater emphasis either on shipwrecks with fatalities or on the difficulties faced by the Hellenic Coast Guard and local authorities in managing the situation. For over a year, nothing has changed, despite arrivals having quadrupled. No solutions are being sought; instead, the confinement of people and the deprivation of their liberty continue.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-836c8a6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"836c8a6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c3e496 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5c3e496\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Precarious living conditions - Use of unsuitable facilities <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa2eaf1 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fa2eaf1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0397\u03c1\u03ac\u03ba\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bf-\u03b1\u03af\u03b8\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2-\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd-\u03c8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bf\u03c5-\u0394\u03b5\u03ba-25.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"\u0397\u03c1\u03b1\u0301\u03ba\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bf \u03b1\u03b9\u0301\u03b8\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2 \u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03c5\u0301 \u03c8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03b9\u0301\u03bf\u03c5, \u0394\u03b5\u03ba &#039;25\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU2NTIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9cdTAzOTdcdTAzYzFcdTAzYWNcdTAzYmFcdTAzYmJcdTAzYjVcdTAzYjlcdTAzYmYtXHUwM2IxXHUwM2FmXHUwM2I4XHUwM2JmXHUwM2M1XHUwM2MzXHUwM2I1XHUwM2MyLVx1MDNjMFx1MDNiMVx1MDNiYlx1MDNiOVx1MDNiZlx1MDNjZC1cdTAzYzhcdTAzYzVcdTAzYjNcdTAzYjVcdTAzYWZcdTAzYmZcdTAzYzUtXHUwMzk0XHUwM2I1XHUwM2JhLTI1LmpwZyJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0397\u03c1\u03ac\u03ba\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bf-\u03b1\u03af\u03b8\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2-\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd-\u03c8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bf\u03c5-\u0394\u03b5\u03ba-25-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25652\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0397\u03c1\u03ac\u03ba\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bf-\u03b1\u03af\u03b8\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2-\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd-\u03c8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bf\u03c5-\u0394\u03b5\u03ba-25-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0397\u03c1\u03ac\u03ba\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bf-\u03b1\u03af\u03b8\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2-\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd-\u03c8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bf\u03c5-\u0394\u03b5\u03ba-25-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0397\u03c1\u03ac\u03ba\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bf-\u03b1\u03af\u03b8\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2-\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd-\u03c8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bf\u03c5-\u0394\u03b5\u03ba-25-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0397\u03c1\u03ac\u03ba\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bf-\u03b1\u03af\u03b8\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2-\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd-\u03c8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bf\u03c5-\u0394\u03b5\u03ba-25-1250x1667.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0397\u03c1\u03ac\u03ba\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bf-\u03b1\u03af\u03b8\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2-\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd-\u03c8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bf\u03c5-\u0394\u03b5\u03ba-25-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0397\u03c1\u03ac\u03ba\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bf-\u03b1\u03af\u03b8\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2-\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd-\u03c8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bf\u03c5-\u0394\u03b5\u03ba-25.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Heraklion, site of the old Psygeio, Dec \u201825, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo?fbid=1347332557409073&amp;set=a.445988274210177\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thalassa Allileggyis<\/a><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99d07f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"99d07f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a direct consequence of the absence of adequate structures and planning, throughout 2025 newly arrived individuals in Crete were accommodated in temporary, informal and unsuitable locations, under undignified conditions and without basic infrastructure. Despite repeated announcements and commitments regarding the establishment of an organised temporary reception facility on the island, no substantial improvement was recorded.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>Chania<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the former exhibition centre in <\/span><b>Agyia <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">continued to be used as a place of detention for hundreds of people, despite serious warnings regarding health and safety risks. Due to the conditions, healthcare professionals from the Local Health Units and the Hellenic Red Cross temporarily <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.haniotika-nea.gr\/toys-1-100-tha-ftasoyn-mechri-to-vrady-tis-kyriakis-oi-metanastes-stin-agia-arithmos-rekor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">withdrew<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the site for several days. The Agyia site is not certified and is manifestly unsuitable and unsafe, as has recently been acknowledged even by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/agonaskritis.gr\/%cf%85%ce%b3%ce%b5%ce%b9%ce%bf%ce%bd%ce%bf%ce%bc%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%ae-%ce%b2%cf%8c%ce%bc%ce%b2%ce%b1-%ce%ba%ce%b1%ce%b9-%cf%81%ce%b5%ce%ba%cf%8c%cf%81-%ce%b1%cf%86%ce%af%ce%be%ce%b5%cf%89\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Union of Personnel of the Hellenic Coast Guard of Western Crete<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. On <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newshub.gr\/el\/kriti\/kriti-to-metanasteytiko-sta-oria-toy-maziki-metafora-metanaston-pros-athina-vinteo?fbclid=IwVERDUAM1UplleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHpxIF6IfuC2i_G-7dH9rS0ymjS0VoNY8hbuHXLInQ6KnWp_wPMWCKJeDu2ty_aem_yVYKBHTVCLRmKuNXxHax4g\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 September 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, more than 1,100 people were being held there, with hundreds remaining for weeks, and in some cases up to one month, in overcrowded conditions, without access to outdoor space, with only a limited number of chemical toilets and makeshift showers.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news247.gr\/magazine\/reportage\/afto-pou-simvainei-stin-agiia-einai-apanthropo-oi-metanastes-asthenoun-kai-exegeirontai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Incidents of skin infections<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and serious tensions were recorded. Following the implementation of the asylum suspension, access to the Agyia site was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/100068088326757\/posts\/1119948386951428\/?rdid=9vl9W7GnvUdOxa02\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prohibited<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the Chania Social Centre &#8211; Migrants&#8217; Centre, preventing the distribution of essential items that they had collected.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>Rethymno<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the situation was also particularly challenging. Indicatively, at the beginning of the second half of 2025, 442 rescued individuals were forced to spend three consecutive nights at the port, outdoors and under extreme heat. In late December, following a large-scale rescue operation, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rethnea.gr\/sto-ktirio-tis-kitrenosis-metaferontai-oi-545-metanastes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than 530 people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were transferred to the building of Kitrenosis, an abandoned building that constitutes one of the most unsuitable accommodation sites in Crete, where floors covered with manure and waste have been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.operazionecolomba.it\/report\/2025\/REPORT-La_rotta_migratoria_Creta_Gavdos_2025_ENG.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">documented<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>Heraklion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, at the old \u2018Psygeio\u2019 (Fridge) area of the port, people were repeatedly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/creta24.gr\/irakleio-asfyktikes-synthikes-kai-lipothymies-sto-palio-psygeio-sto-limani-gia-alles-7-meres-oi-250-metanastes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">accommodated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in numbers far exceeding the site\u2019s capacity, without access to showers, without mattresses, and with people sleeping on the floor. In <\/span><b>Ierapetra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, newly arrived people were successively transferred between various buildings (the Ierapetra indoor <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ertnews.gr\/roi-idiseon\/stin-ierapetra-metaferthikan-oi-68-metanastes-pou-entopistikan-sti-niso-xrysi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">school gym<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the former primary school in the village of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/radiolasithi.gr\/stoys-mythoys-oi-33-metanastes-poy-entopistikan-se-paralia-sto-stomio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mythoi<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the former primary school of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ertnews.gr\/perifereiakoi-stathmoi\/iraklio\/sto-sxoleio-kalogiron-metaferthikan-oi-94-prosfyges-kai-metanastes-pou-diasothikan-anoixta-tis-ierapetras\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kalogeroi<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the premises of the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Ierapetra), with the burden of food provision and transportation largely falling on local authorities, as well as on the humanitarian assistance provided by the Hellenic Red Cross and solidarity groups. As reported by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neakriti.gr\/kriti\/2147727_sta-synora-tis-elpidas-i-ierapetra-se-synehi-dokimasia-anthropines-istories-piso-apo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hellenic Red Cross<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, refugees often arrive in Ierapetra soaked and suffering from sunburn.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These conditions do not constitute a temporary malfunction, but rather the foreseeable outcome of the systematic absence of state-led reception management for refugees in Crete, with serious consequences for human dignity and public health.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ceb584 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"0ceb584\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtube.com\\\/shorts\\\/B1l99XXbYLo&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0c9049 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a0c9049\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08150df elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"08150df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Strong criticism from local authorities and serious concerns raised by the Hellenic Coast Guard<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a14685 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3a14685\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti3.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"2025_kriti3\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU2NTMsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC8yMDI1X2tyaXRpMy5qcGcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti3-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25653\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti3-1250x703.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti3-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025_kriti3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cd6e48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6cd6e48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The above conditions have been the subject of repeated public interventions and strong criticism by representatives of local authorities, as municipalities and the Region were called upon to manage the consequences of state inaction, without a clear institutional framework, sufficient resources, or adequate infrastructure. Local authorities have repeatedly stressed that responsibility for reception and temporary accommodation has been shifted onto them, despite the fact that this responsibility neither falls within their institutional mandate nor can be realistically borne at the local level. In all prefectures, the provision of <\/span><b>food <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for newly arrived people has been assumed by local authorities.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>Chania<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Deputy Mayor for Social Policy, Eleni Zervoudaki, highlighted both the inadequacy of existing infrastructure and the impact of central policy decisions. In an interview with RSA, she underlined that the new measures rendering arrivals from North Africa automatically detained created additional pressure on the Municipality, without leading to a reduction in arrivals. Regarding accommodation conditions in Chania, she stated: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe facilities need improvement. The Ministry has said that it will take care of this. We remain in the same situation. There are 11 chemical toilets, only one of which is for women, and two showers with hoses.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar findings were expressed in <\/span><b>Rethymno<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Mayor of Agios Vasileios, Giannis Tatarakis, stated that the temporary solutions implemented fail to meet even minimum standards of dignity:<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201cKitrenosis is not a solution; living conditions there are not humane. Two temporary accommodation facilities must be established immediately.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In a public statement following the teleconference of 16 October 2025 with the competent Minister, during which issues related to reception facilities and overall management were discussed, he stressed that<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201cthe time that has elapsed was not used to the extent required by the seriousness of the problem\u2026 Our position is clear: specific decisions are needed, a clear operational plan, concrete instructions to municipalities, financial resources and means, as well as their timely implementation, so that management and consensus are the result of planning rather than a reaction to a situational crisis.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In early July 2025, following the overnight stay of hundreds of refugees at the commercial port of Rethymno, the Mayor of Rethymno and President of the Regional Union of Municipalities of Crete, Giorgos Marinakis, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ertnews.gr\/roi-idiseon\/o-proedros-tis-ped-kritis-gia-to-metanasteytiko-einai-aproetoimasti-i-elliniki-politeia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">emphasised<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that suitable sites were available but had been excluded following interventions, while also stressing that responsibility for identifying accommodation sites <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/themakritis\/posts\/-%CF%84%CE%B9-%CE%B5%CE%AF%CF%80%CE%B5-%CE%BF-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CF%8E%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%82-%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%BC%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%BA%CF%81%CE%AE%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BF-%CE%B4%CE%AE%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%82-%CF%81%CE%B5%CE%B8%CF%8D%CE%BC%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%85\/1420499403419124\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">does not lie with municipalities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. He stated that the government has the ability to requisition private premises with compensation and noted: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWith what is happening now, responsibility is being shifted onto local authorities, turning us into a punching bag and setting us against one another.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>Heraklion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the former Deputy Mayor for Social Policy, Giorgos Tsangarakis, described a situation of complete inadequacy in temporary accommodation facilities: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe situation at the old \u2018Psygeio\u2019 (Fridge) area at the port of Heraklion is tragic. Its capacity is for 70 people. There are no mattresses. People are given blankets. We provide medication and clothing and try to find a new space.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>Ierapetra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Deputy Mayor for Agricultural Production and Civil Protection, Nektarios Papadakis, underlined that the lack of infrastructure and state support is a shared problem across all municipalities: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAll municipalities are struggling; there are no suitable facilities. We have submitted a request for financial support to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, but there has been no response. The only support comes from the Hellenic Red Cross, which provides healthcare coverage and whatever is needed, as well as from members of the public who bring clothing.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same picture of state absence was confirmed, from a different institutional standpoint, by <\/span><b>representatives of the Hellenic Coast Guard<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Crete.<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201cThe Ministry of Migration is a void, just a sign on a door. We see nothing in practice,\u201d<\/span><\/i> <a href=\"https:\/\/agonaskritis.gr\/%ce%b2%ce%bf%ce%bb%ce%ad%cf%82-%ce%b2-%ce%ba%ce%b1%cf%84%cf%83%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b4%ce%b1%cf%81%ce%ac%ce%ba%ce%b7-%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%b1-%cf%84%ce%bf-%ce%bc%ce%b5%cf%84%ce%b1%ce%bd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Vasilis Katsikandarakis, President of the Union of Coast Guard Personnel of Western Crete, in late December 2025. Giorgos Sfakianakis, President of the Union of Coast Guard Personnel of Eastern Crete, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=H8ci07V9GdY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">highlighted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in local media the ad hoc nature of migration management planning, describing it as inconceivable that Coast Guard officers are expected to simultaneously carry out rescue operations, transfers, and the guarding of newly arrived people, without adequate support or a clear framework of responsibilities. In a recent <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/agonaskritis.gr\/%cf%85%ce%b3%ce%b5%ce%b9%ce%bf%ce%bd%ce%bf%ce%bc%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%ae-%ce%b2%cf%8c%ce%bc%ce%b2%ce%b1-%ce%ba%ce%b1%ce%b9-%cf%81%ce%b5%ce%ba%cf%8c%cf%81-%ce%b1%cf%86%ce%af%ce%be%ce%b5%cf%89\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">statement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Union of Coast Guard Personnel of Western Crete also stressed that, beyond their rescue and guarding duties, Coast Guard staff are required to manage issues related to food provision, transportation, and basic care, in the absence of support from the competent state authorities. As noted, overcrowding, the lack of healthcare provision, and the unsuitability of temporary accommodation facilities, particularly in Agyia, pose serious risks both to the health and safety of personnel and to the refugees themselves.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5083ddb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5083ddb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe853eb elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe853eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Increase in xenophobia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5a5298 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c5a5298\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the second half of 2025, the social climate in Crete became increasingly tense, with a rise in xenophobic expressions and public interventions, prompting volunteers and grassroots initiatives to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/100064605823143\/posts\/1138804434949740\/?rdid=cDtpG5QzbVaYG8Oo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the de-escalation of hate rhetoric. In July, a group of citizens issued a public <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/agonaskritis.gr\/%CE%BA%CE%AC%CE%BB%CE%B5%CF%83%CE%BC%CE%B1-%CE%BC%CE%AF%CF%83%CE%BF%CF%85%CF%82-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%81%CE%AC-%CF%87%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AF%CF%89%CE%BD-%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%B1%CE%B4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a gathering on 12 July outside the Municipal Market of Chania, under the slogan \u201cNo to colonisation, no to illegal migration.\u201d The city\u2019s anti-racist movement responded immediately by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/flashnews.gr\/post\/936296\/sygkentrosi-yper-ton-prosfygon-kai-ton-anoichton-synoron-pragmatopoioun-allilengyoi-sta-chania\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organising<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a counter-gathering at the same location two hours earlier, which ultimately led to the initial mobilisation being relocated to Souda Square, outside the urban centre, with limited participation. In late September, a call for the establishment of an association against \u201cillegal migration\u201d was published in the newspaper Chaniotika Nea. At the same time, strong <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dnews.gr\/eidhseis\/ellada\/536546\/anavrasmos-stin-kriti-gia-tin-kleisti-domi-metanaston\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reactions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were voiced by tourism sector representatives in Crete against government plans for the creation of permanent reception facilities on the island, further contributing to a climate of suspicion and the stigmatisation.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dc9289 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3dc9289\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62e3d01 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"62e3d01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Criminalisation of human mobility and forced displacement<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c0b0d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c0b0d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The increased number of boat arrivals from Libya to Crete over the past year has led to <\/span><b>widespread and unlawful criminal prosecutions on charges of \u201csmuggling,\u201d primarily targeting refugees from Sudan and Egypt<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including dozens of minors, some as young as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neakriti.gr\/kriti\/hania\/2146769_15hronos-diakinitis-piso-apo-tin-karabia-22-metanaston-stin-palaiohora\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 years old<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These prosecutions are initiated on a mass scale by the judicial authorities of Crete and concern individuals who, prima facie, fall within the definition of refugees. Despite being asylum seekers, the accused are frequently transferred to prisons on the mainland, while their trials are conducted before courts in Crete.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In practice, defendants are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.haniotika-nea.gr\/kalesmata-allileggyis-gia-tis-dikes-metanaston\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">brought<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before the courts <\/span><b>without a full understanding<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the charges against them, the potential sentences they face, or the proceedings themselves. Access to meaningful <\/span><b>interpretation <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is limited, while legal representation is often appointed <\/span><b>at the last moment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, leaving defence lawyers with minimal time to review the case file prior to the hearing. Proceedings are marked by <\/span><b>speed <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and a <\/span><b>lack of transparency<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including flawed \u201cidentifications\u201d and identical, and often <\/span><b>biased<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, witness statements, which in some cases are taken in a language other than the witness\u2019s mother tongue. Indicative of the serious deficiencies of the hearing process is an incident before the Court of Appeal for Felonies of Western Crete, where a police officer, a member of the courtroom security staff, was appointed as an English-language interpreter. On that day, with the sole exception of one acquittal due to a manifest lack of jurisdiction, in a case supported by RSA, all other defendants listed for trial were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. In the vast majority of cases heard in recent months, defendants have been found guilty and sentenced to <\/span><b>extremely long custodial sentences<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In response, a strong <\/span><b>solidarity movement <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has emerged in support of the accused, with the active <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61578016496965\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">participation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Sudanese refugees.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea5a76d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ea5a76d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c73de98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c73de98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"hide2\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Refugee trials in Crete through the sketches of Louise Truc<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd7c4f4 elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"bd7c4f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_24\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1NDYsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfMjQuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiYmQ3YzRmNCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_24.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_24-768x550.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_24\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_23\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1NDUsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfMjMuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiYmQ3YzRmNCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_23.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_23-768x547.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_23\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_22\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1NDQsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfMjIuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiYmQ3YzRmNCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_22.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_22-768x556.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_22\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_21\" 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data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1NDIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfMjAuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiYmQ3YzRmNCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_20.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_20-768x555.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_20\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_19\" 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data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1NDAsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfMTguanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiYmQ3YzRmNCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_18.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_18-768x558.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_18\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"8 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_17\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1MzksInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfMTcuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiYmQ3YzRmNCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_17.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_17-768x560.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_17\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"9 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_16\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1MzgsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfMTYuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiYmQ3YzRmNCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_16.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_16-768x548.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_16\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"10 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_15\" 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data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1MjksInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfNy5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJiZDdjNGY0In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_7.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_7-768x556.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_7\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"19 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_6\" 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data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1MjcsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfNS5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJiZDdjNGY0In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_5.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_5-768x559.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_5\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"21 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_4\" 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data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1MjUsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfMy5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJiZDdjNGY0In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_3.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_3-768x544.jpg\" alt=\"WhatsApp Image 2026-01-27 at 13.37.34 (2)\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"23 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_2\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1MjQsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfMi5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJiZDdjNGY0In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_2.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_2-768x526.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_2\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"24 of 24\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"bd7c4f4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_1\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU1MjMsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAxXC9Mb3Vpc2UtVHJ1Y19rcml0aV90cmlhbHNfMS5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJiZDdjNGY0In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_1.jpg\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Louise-Truc_kriti_trials_1-768x554.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Truc_kriti_trials_1\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e48877c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e48877c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">click to enlarge<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9dfb2e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b9dfb2e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-909fa46 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"909fa46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of particular significance is the fact that<\/span><b> 37.3%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of refugees arriving in Crete in 2025 originate from <\/span><b>Sudan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a country ravaged by armed conflict since 2023. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The need for international protection for Sudanese refugees is indisputable and is confirmed both by Greek and European authorities, as well as by the fact that their <\/span><b>refugee recognition rate in Greece approaches <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/el\/statistika-asylou-a-exam-2025\/\"><b>100%<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within this context, individuals who, in some cases, were compelled to steer inflatable boats in order to save themselves and their fellow passengers are treated as \u201csmugglers,\u201d despite this being the only way for them to reach safety and seek the protection to which they are entitled.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a48699 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7a48699\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>This practice amounts to an arbitrary and <\/b><b><i>contra legem<\/i><\/b><b> criminalisation of the arrival of refugees by sea, in violation of both national law and international legal provisions of superior normative force.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Article 31(1) of the 1951 Geneva Convention obliges states not to impose criminal penalties on refugees on account of their unlawful entry or residence. Nevertheless,<\/span><b> in Crete, a systematic practice of criminal prosecution of refugees has developed, without regard for their status as refugees and without the safeguards of a fair trial being ensured.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6641356 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6641356\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0385562 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0385562\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This situation exposes a serious departure from the principles of legality and the rule of law, with severe consequences both for refugees themselves and for the functioning of the justice system as a whole. <\/span><b>Responsibility lies first and foremost with the State and all actors of the justice system. It is a matter of upholding legality and protecting the rule of law; and, ultimately, a matter of fundamental humanity, which concerns us all collectively.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b281543 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b281543\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8047ceb elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8047ceb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Read earlier publications with data on arrivals in Crete from 2023 to the present, as well as on the persistently inadequate reception infrastructure and living conditions in Crete and Gavdos:<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8a56a8 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e8a56a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"sources\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/tag\/crete\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Publications archive on Crete<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23e8c14 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"23e8c14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d875d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"7d875d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-table\" data-src=\"visualisation\/27473998\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/27473998\/thumbnail\" width=\"100%\" alt=\"table visualization\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f14753b elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"f14753b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='root-data-givewp-embed' data-form-locale='en_US' data-form-url='https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/?post_type=give_forms&#038;p=24601' data-form-view-url='https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/?givewp-route=donation-form-view&form-id=24601' data-src='https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/?givewp-route=donation-form-view&form-id=24601' data-givewp-embed-id='give-form-shortcode-1' data-form-format='' data-open-form-button='Donate now' style='--givewp-primary-color: #465070; --givewp-secondary-color: #af6458;'><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stats and info &#8211; 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":25649,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[141,243,5,137],"tags":[348,339,18,340],"class_list":{"0":"post-25647","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-detention-and-reception-conditions","8":"category-facts-and-figures","9":"category-publications","10":"category-topics","11":"tag-348","12":"tag-crete","13":"tag-featured","14":"tag-gavdos-2"},"menu_order":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25647"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26201,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25647\/revisions\/26201"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}