Category: ΣΥΝΗΓΟΡΙΑ

JOINT STATEMENT: Children in Greece without documents, children still at risk

Posted on Tuesday March 14th, 2023

We, the undersigned, 16 organisations, members of the Child’s Rights Advocacy Network, working to support asylum-seeking and refugee children in Greece, wish to express our concerns about the proposed provisions for unaccompanied and separated children in a newly proposed Immigration Code and call on Greek authorities to reconsider Article 162 of this Code and amend it so that and updated version  covers the serious legal gap currently facing unaccompanied children and ensures the rights of all unaccompanied children in practice, including once they have reached adulthood, or will soon reach adulthood, which is currently not the case.

Last week, we were both alarmed and disappointed to see that the newly proposed Immigration Code was suddenly published for an unrealistically short period of public consultation on 7 to 14 March 2023, without sufficient time provided for meaningful review and recommendations to ensure it aligns with what is best for unaccompanied children or that it addresses the significant gaps in legal status these children continue to face in Greece.

We are compelled to express our collective concern regarding not only the insufficient consultation provided, but also the content of the proposed new code, which does not offer solutions for the vast majority of unaccompanied children who remain outside the asylum system. Instead, the proposal seems set to create even more challenges for these children, increasing their barriers to gaining legal status in the country.

This comes despite the explicit commitment we received from the Deputy Minister of  Migration and Asylum, Ms. Sofia Voultepsi, during the event “Children without documents, children at risk. Until when?” organized on July 12, 2022 by members of the Child Rights Advocacy Network. Both at that time and since, the Deputy Minister stated that there was a “clear political will” to address the gap in the legal status faced by unaccompanied migrant children in the country, before and after they reach adulthood.

And, yet the criteria stipulated in the new regulation of how adult citizens from third countries or stateless persons who entered Greece as unaccompanied minors can obtain a ten-year residence permit fail to reflect the reality on the ground.

With this legislative initiative, an important opportunity is lost; that of protecting and acknowledging unaccompanied and separated children who ultimately remain outside the asylum system. Absolutely no provision is included in the proposed bill for unaccompanied children whose request for international protection is rejected while they are minors. This is contrary to the best interests of the child, which should guide the decisions of all public authorities, but also contrary to public statements by these same relevant authorities. As a result, unaccompanied children are once again left without legal documents and exposed to all forms of exploitation, without substantial access to protection, health benefits or education.

As for unaccompanied children who become adults while in Greece, in order to receive the ten-year residence permit, the new Code requires them to have a permanent authorisation of stay in the country, i.e. a permanent residence permit. But, if these unaccompanied children who have just come of age had already secured such an authorisation, they would not even need the legislative intervention introduced by this article in the first place. This, in fact, despite the Prime Minister’s own statement on January 17, 2023 that “unaccompanied children turning 18 that have completed three (3) years of education should rightfully be given the possibility to remain in the country and  to join the Greek state if they so wished.”

However, in addition to requiring that they already have a permanent residency permit, and already successfully completed at least three (3) grades of the Greek formal education, the potential beneficiaries of the ten-year residence permit must also have been accepted at either a Vocational Apprenticeship School of the Public Employment Service, a Vocational Training School, or a higher educational establishment.

This last requirement that they must have obtained admission to one of the above schools is particularly onerous since only a very limited number of unaccompanied minors who have reached adulthood can meet this condition. After all, experience in the field has shown us that, for unaccompanied children, even a 3-year “successful” attendance at the Greek school is a significant challenge. This is due to systemic and chronic issues impeding the effective inclusion of children with a migrant/refugee background in the Greek school system, causing a student population of “two speeds”.

Finally, we wonder why the second-generation children will now be left without a residency permit (see paragraph b of the above article). Previously, they were able to obtain one with the provisions of Law 4251/2014 regardless of their parents’ status, as long as they had established strong ties with the country (birth in Greece, school attendance, etc.).

The signatory organizations of the Children’s Rights Advocacy Network believe that a special residence permit should be granted to unaccompanied children solely based on the fact that they are children and that they are transitioning to adulthood, aiming to safeguard the best interest of each unaccompanied child in the country.

THE CO-SIGNING ORGANISATIONS

  1. ARSIS Association for the Social Support of Youth
  2. Better Days Greece
  3. ΕLIX
  4. Generation 2.0 for Rights, Equality & Diversity
  5. Greek Council for Refugees
  6. The HOME Project
  7. HumanRights360
  8. International Rescue Committee (IRC) Hellas
  9. INTERSOS Hellas
  10. Lighthouse Relief
  11. Mobile Info Team
  12. Network for Children’s Rights
  13. Safe Passage
  14. Schedia (Raft) -Center for Artistic and Pedagogical Training
  15. SolidarityNow
  16. Terre des hommes Hellas

JOINT LETTER: 37 NGOs highlight their concerns relating to the situation of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers in Greece

Posted on Tuesday August 30th, 2022

Letter to: Mr Manos Logothetis, General Secretary of Reception of Asylum Seekers and Mr Patroklos Georgiadis, General Secretary of General Secretariat for Migration Policy.

Dear Manos Logothetis and Patroklos Georgiadis,

In light of information collected through input from numerous organizations and focus groups from the community, we are sending you this letter highlighting particular concerns relating to the situation of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers in Greece. We appreciate your reception to our feedback and hope we can continue to work with you on this matter further.

Shelter and Security

It is agreed that a specific dedicated area for LGBTQI+ people within the camps would not be appropriate as there is a risk of further isolation and stigmatization. Nonetheless, at present Greece is failing to provide appropriate reception conditions for LGBTQI+ applicants. Currently, LGBTQI+ asylum seekers are housed with non-LGBTQI+ people (hereafter ‘mixed housing’). It was widely agreed in the focus groups that mixed housing, particularly in camps, does not allow for the applicant to feel safe or comfortable to be open with their identity.  Resultantly, people who have fled their countries are still having to hide and conceal their identity at all times. The following quotes are from LGBTQI+ individuals living in mixed housing:

“You just have to hide your real self, it’s like being a shadow of yourself.”

“Hiding in my country and hiding here, it’s no difference.”

The accommodation offers no respite from the discrimination, threat or stigma, which has potentially severe mental health implications.[1]

“[B]eing compelled to conceal one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity may also result in significant psychological and other harms.” (European Court of Human Rights)

Expecting people to conceal their sexual orientation or gender identity to avoid harm is contrary to the applicants’ human rights, as recognized by the European Court of Human Rights, EU Court of Justice and the Greek Special Appeals Committee.[2]

It is therefore recommended that:

  1. Where the primary housing is a camp, there should be efforts to ensure that the relocation to a confidential and discreet LGBTQI+ specific housing in the local city or town is an available and accessible option.
  2. In cases where it is not possible to relocate LGBTQI+ individuals to specific housing, improvements within the camp setting are needed. For example, ensuring increased privacy or creating safe spaces in camp would be extremely helpful. In addition, accommodation with less people cohabiting in the same space can reduce the risk.
  3. Where the primary accomodation is shared housing in a town or city, it should be ensured discreet LGBTQI+ only housing should be available.

Services and Support

Through discussions with affected applicants, it has been revealed that very few of the LGBTQI+ asylum seekers know of, or have had the opportunity to speak with, an EODY psychologist. Those that have stated there were not enough psychologists for the number of applicants requiring support, and the support provided was not specialized in the issues that uniquely relate to LGBTQI+ persons.

It has been further noted that a focal point in RIS, GAS or elsewhere who could be approached if there was a problem, would contribute towards a safer space. The focal point should be discreet and sensitized to LGBTQI+ issues.

In line with these observations, it is recommended that:

  1. At minimum, training should be provided for all personnel working directly with asylum seekers on the particularities of LGBTQI+ asylum claims (including the Reception and Identification authorities and the designated EODY staff).
  2. Additionally, a dedicated focal point with information and referral services for psychosocial support for LGBTQI+ applicants be set up in each camp.

Asylum Process

The detailed process required to assess asylum cases on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics (SOGIESC) can be undeniably difficult for the applicant, particularly where a person may have to relive trauma. It is recognized and understood that a thorough process is necessary to fully assess the claim. Nonetheless, it is possible to conduct such an assessment without causing further traumatization.

On account of the personal and sensitive nature of the claim, LGBTQI+ applicants are afforded special protections under European and Greek law. The European Union, through case law at the EU Court of Justice[3] as well as the EU Directives,[4] provide clear and comprehensive standards for these assessments.

Unfortunately, it is currently being noted that these standards are not being adhered to. A review of the transcripts of LGBTQI+ applicants since 2021 has shown repeated examples of procedural violations and prohibited questions contrary to European Union law and international standards. The EUAA, European Commission, representatives of DG HOME and MEPs have also been contacted regarding these issues.

Prohibited Questions

Firstly, LGBTQI+ applicants have been asked questions which are expressly prohibited under EU and Greek law, in particular with regards to questions relating to sexual practices and behavior.[5]
Prohibited questions that have been asked include:

  1. “Did you have a sexual relationship with…?”
  2. “Did you get any stimuli to find out?”
  3. “Since you love it so much, what is the reason you haven’t practiced here in Greece?”
  4. “How did you feel when he was touching you?”

Training and competency

Secondly, the Asylum Procedures Directive states that applications should be examined and decisions taken, “individually, objectively and impartially”. Presumptive, collective decision making, often due to the application of the safe country of origin principle, combined with the potential vulnerabilities and trauma that prevent individuals from sharing certain details of their claim at first instance, prevents a proper individualized assessment from occurring.

Caseworkers conducting the interviews should be sufficiently trained in assessing, and competent in relation to, sexual orientation and gender identity.[6] However, the transcripts of LGBTQI+ applicants indicate they are routinely asked questions which demonstrate a lack of training or understanding with regards to sexual orientation and/or gender identity. LGBTQI+ applicants reported encountering skepticism and prejudice upon sharing their sexual orientation, to the extent it was described as similar to a “forced interrogation”. Questions that fail to adhere to European standards include:

  1. “Before proceeding to this sexual choice, have you been aware of the difficulties you’d have to face?”
  2. “Since you felt pain, why did you choose this lifestyle?”
  3. “You are an educated man. Weren’t you aware that homosexuality is a crime in [Country of origin]?”
  4. “Didn’t that [traumatic] event make you consider your choice?”

The use of stereotypes

Finally, the reliance on stereotypes is of serious concern. Following a judgment at the EU Court of Justice, decisions on credibility cannot be based on stereotypical notions.[7] The judgment further clarified that a decision based on a person’s (lack of) knowledge of LGBTQI+ organizations suggests that the authorities have relied on stereotypes in making their decision. In addition, the UNHCR Guideline no. 9 on international protection states:

“Interviewers and decision makers need to maintain an objective approach so that they do not reach conclusions based on stereotypical, inaccurate or inappropriate perceptions of LGBTI individuals… There are no universal characteristics or qualities that typify LGBTI individuals any more than heterosexual individuals. Their life experiences can vary greatly even if they are from the same country”.[8]

Nonetheless, there are transcripts which are dominated with stereotypical questions, such as:

  1. “You have a daughter, can you explain that since you are a homosexual?”
  2. “Did you ever have a relationship with a [man/ woman]?”
  3. “Did you ever have a heterosexual relationship?”
  4. “LGBT stands for lesbians gay bisexual and transsexual people. How is it possible to be a homosexual and not being aware of how the community sexual minorities is called?”

More worryingly, contrary to the ABC judgment,[9] applicants have been rejected on the basis of stereotypical notions, including on the grounds of a lack of knowledge of LGBTQI+ organizations.

On account of the above, it is recommended that:

  1. The Greek Asylum Service issues clear, updated, and publicly available internal guidelines on how to conduct personal interviews for applicants with LGBTQI+ asylum claims in line with European and Greek law to overcome institutionalized practices that result in procedural violations.
  • The guidelines should cover the standards set out by the ECHR, the CJEU and the EU Directives on assessing LGBTQI+ claims and should include a shift in the terminology that is respectful of the diversity and individuality of each person.
  • The guidelines should acknowledge the intersectional identity of SOGIESC applicants and provide a background understanding of SOGIESC identities in a cross-cultural context to avoid Eurocentric expectations and reliance on stereotypical notions.toga
  1. The template of questions used by caseworkers in the credibility assessment should be updated to adhere to international, EU, and domestic standards and exclude prohibited or problematic questions such as those mentioned above.
  2. Caseworkers are provided regular and up-to-date training on the particularities and vulnerabilities of SOGIESC asylum claims (in line with the Asylum Procedures Directive), the legal standards, and practical information on conducting assessments with a respectful and well-informed approach.

We thank you for your continued attention to this matter. We remain at your disposal for any further clarifications and continued discussions. 

*The letter can be downloaded by clicking here.

Signatures

  1. ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth
  2. Asylum Seekers Information Services Team (A.Ss.I.S.T.)
  3. Colour Youth – Athens LGBTQ Youth Community
  4. Changemakers Lab
  5. Choose Love
  6. Danish Refugee Council, Greece
  7. Diotima Centre for Gender Rights & Equality
  8. ECHO100PLUS
  9. Emantes – International Lgbtqia+ Solidarity
  10. European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL)
  11. Fenix Humanitarian Legal Aid
  12. Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
  13. HIAS Greece
  14. Human Rights Legal Project
  15. HumanRights360
  16. I HAVE RIGHTS. (IHR)
  17. International Rescue Committee (IRC)
  18. INTERSOS
  19. Irida Women’s Center
  20. Jesuit Refugee Service Greece (JRS Greece)
  21. Just Action
  22. Legal Centre Lesvos
  23. Lesvos LGBTIQ+ Refugee Solidarity
  24. Lgbtqia+ Refugees Welcome
  25. Lighthouse Relief
  26. Mobile Info Team
  27. Network for Children’s Rights
  28. Northern Lights Aid
  29. Positive Voice
  30. Refugee Legal Support (RLS)
  31. SafePlace International
  32. SolidarityNow
  33. Samos Advocacy Collective
  34. Samos LGBTQI+ Group
  35. Samos Volunteers
  36. Τerre des hommes Hellas
  37. Yoga and Sport With Refugees

[1] B and C v Switzerland (Applications nos. 889/19 and 43987/16) (ECtHR, 2020); James Michael  Brennan (2021), ‘Hiding the Authentic Self: Concealment of Gender and Sexual  Identity and its Consequences for Authenticity and Psychological Well-being’,  Available at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=12892&context=etd; B and C v Switzerland (Applications nos. 889/19 and 43987/16) (ECtHR, 2020).

[2] X, Y, Z v Minister voor Immigratie en Asiel (2013, CJEU); B and C v Switzerland (Applications nos. 889/19 and 43987/16) (ECtHR, 2020); Greece, Special Appeal Committee (A.G. v. the General Secretary of the former Ministry of Public Order, No. 95/56266) (Special Appeals Committee, 2012).

[3] Joined Cases C-148/13 to C-150/13, A, B, C v Staatssecretaris van Veiligheid en Justitie, (2014 ) (ABC decision); Joined Cases C-199/12 – C-199/12 – C-201/12, X, Y, Z v Minister voor Immigratie en Asiel (2013) (XYZ decision).

[4] See European Parliament and Council Directive 2013/32/EU of 26 June 2013 on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection (recast), OJ L 189 (Asylum Procedures Directive).

[5] Joined Cases C-148/13 to C-150/13, A, B, C v Staatssecretaris van Veiligheid en Justitie, (2014, CJEU) (ABC decision); Applicant (Iran) v Asylum Office (Greece). Case no: 16937/2019.

[6] Asylum Procedures Directive, Article 4(3) and 15(3).

[7] Joined Cases C-148/13 to C-150/13, A, B, C v Staatssecretaris van Veiligheid en Justitie, (2014, CJEU) (ABC decision).

[8] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), ‘Guidelines on international protection no. 9: Claims to Refugee Status based on Sexual Orientation and/or Gender Identity within the context of Article 1A(2) of the 1951 Convention and/or its 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees’ HCR/GIP/12/09, 23 October 2012.

[9] Joined Cases C-148/13 to C-150/13, A, B, C v Staatssecretaris van Veiligheid en Justitie, (2014, CJEU) (ABC decision).

ΚΟΙΝΟ ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ: Χορήγηση ειδικής άδειας διαμονής στα ασυνόδευτα παιδιά, το αίτημα από 44 ΜΚΟ

Posted on Tuesday July 5th, 2022
Copyright Giorgos Moutafis for SolidarityNow

Παιδιά χωρίς χαρτιά, παιδιά σε κίνδυνο. Μέχρι πότε … ;

Η πρόσφατη περίπτωση του νεαρού Σαϊντού (Saidou), πρόσφυγα από την Γουινέα, κατέδειξε έντονα το πρόβλημα των ασυνόδευτων παιδιών, τα οποία αν και βρίσκονται στην χώρα υπό την φροντίδα της Πολιτείας, στερούνται ένα μακροχρόνιο πλαίσιο νομικής προστασίας, σύμφωνα με το βέλτιστο συμφέρον τους.

Η συγκεκριμένη υπόθεση, έφερε στην επιφάνεια τη συστημική έλλειψη ενός καθεστώτος προστασίας που να διασφαλίζει την απρόσκοπτη πρόσβαση σε όλα τα δικαιώματα των παιδιών όπως η στέγαση, η εκπαίδευση, η υγεία, η ίση μεταχείριση με κάθε άλλο παιδί. Ο κίνδυνος να στερηθούν τα δικαιώματά τους αυξάνεται και αμέσως μετά την ενηλικίωσή τους, όταν το ενδεχόμενο απέλασης από την χώρα είναι πλέον ορατό.

Στην περίπτωση του Σαϊντού, μετά και την έντονη κινητοποίηση της εκπαιδευτικής κοινότητας και της ευρύτερης κοινωνίας, βρέθηκε λύση για τη νόμιμη διαμονή του, με την χορήγηση ασύλου. Ωστόσο, οφείλουμε να λάβουμε υπόψη μας ότι σε αντίστοιχο νομικό κενό βρίσκονται -και θα βρεθούν- και άλλα ασυνόδευτα παιδιά, είτε πριν, είτε αμέσως μετά την ενηλικίωσή τους. Πρόσφατα, μάλιστα, ήρθαν στην δημοσιότητα αντίστοιχες περιπτώσεις, όπως του νεαρού Cissé στη Σάμο, του Salman στην Αθήνα, του Hemin, του Doaa και του Rahma – αδερφών από το Ιράκ – στο Βύρωνα και τόσες άλλες που ίσως να μην γίνουν γνωστές.

Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη ότι το συγκεκριμένο πρόβλημα καθιστά τα ασυνόδευτα παιδιά ευάλωτα στη βία και εκμετάλλευση, οι Οργανώσεις της Κοινωνίας των Πολιτών ζητάμε τη χορήγηση ειδικής άδειας διαμονής σε αυτά μέχρι τουλάχιστον και την συμπλήρωση του 21ου έτους.

Είναι γνωστό ότι από την κορύφωση των προσφυγικών και μεταναστευτικών ροών, το 2015, μέχρι και σήμερα, πολλά παιδιά έχουν εντοπιστεί στην Ελλάδα, χωρίς την συνοδεία των γονιών τους ή κάποιου ενήλικα που είναι και ο νόμιμα υπεύθυνος για την φροντίδα τους. Η ελληνική πολιτεία, σύμφωνα τόσο με την εθνική νομοθεσία, όσο και με τις διεθνείς συμβάσεις, έχει την υποχρέωση και το αυτονόητο καθήκον να διασφαλίσει το βέλτιστο συμφέρον των ασυνόδευτων παιδιών, φροντίζοντας καταρχάς για την στέγαση, την εκπαίδευση και την πρόσβασή τους σε υπηρεσίες ιατροφαρμακευτικής περίθαλψης.

Πλην ελαχίστων εξαιρέσεων, στην Ελλάδα ο μόνος τρόπος διασφάλισης της προστασίας τους, μέσω της αναγκαίας προϋπόθεσης χορήγησης νομιμοποιητικών εγγράφων, είναι η χορήγηση ασύλου, στην οποία η πλειονότητα των αιτημάτων των παιδιών απορρίπτεται είτε σε πρώτο είτε σε δεύτερο βαθμό.

Ως εκ τούτου τα παιδιά αυτά, και μέχρι να ενηλικιωθούν, αν και βρίσκονται σε Δομές Φιλοξενίας Ασυνόδευτων Ανηλίκων με απόφαση του αρμόδιου Εισαγγελέα και της Ειδικής Γραμματείας του Υπουργείου Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου, αν και παρακολουθούν την δημόσια εκπαίδευση, και κατ’ επέκταση δημιουργούν σε έναν βαθμό βιοτικούς δεσμούς με την Ελλάδα, καταλήγουν χωρίς τα αναγκαία νομιμοποιητικά έγγραφα.

Το νομικό αυτό “κενό”, μέχρι πολύ πρόσφατα, ήταν -έστω και σπάνια- δυνατόν να καλυφθεί με την χορήγηση άδειας διαμονής για ανθρωπιστικούς λόγους. Και σε αυτή την περίπτωση, όμως, η συγκεκριμένη δυνατότητα αφενός ήταν δύσκολη στην υλοποίησή της, αφετέρου καταργήθηκε το 2020, γεγονός που επιδείνωσε το πρόβλημα.

Οι αρνητικές επιπτώσεις του παραπάνω ζητήματος δεν είναι ορατές μόνο στην καθημερινότητα των παιδιών και όσων τα συνδράμουν, αλλά και στο σύνολο της κοινωνίας, καθώς συρρικνώνεται το πλαίσιο προστασίας και ένταξής τους. Η έλλειψη νομιμοποιητικών εγγράφων δυσχεραίνει την πρόσβαση των παιδιών σε εκπαίδευση, παροχές υγείας, εργασία και καθημερινές δραστηριότητες. Ο αποκλεισμός των ασυνόδευτων παιδιών εντός της κοινωνίας από το ίδιο το θεσμικό πλαίσιο, οδηγεί στην περιθωριοποίησή τους.

Εμείς, οι εκπρόσωποι των Οργανώσεων της Κοινωνίας των Πολιτών, έχοντας υπόψη μας τόσο το μέγεθος του προβλήματος, όσο και την επιτυχημένη αντιμετώπιση του ζητήματος σε άλλες χώρες της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης (όπως ενδεικτικά ήδη από το 2017 έπραξε η Ιταλία και από το 2021 η Ισπανία), ζητάμε από την ελληνική Πολιτεία να επιληφθεί του προβλήματος και να θεσπίσει ειδική άδεια διαμονής μέχρι την συμπλήρωση του 21ου έτος της ηλικίας τους – παράλληλα με το δικαίωμα για διεθνή προστασία – για τα ασυνόδευτα παιδιά, καθώς και για όσα από αυτά ενηλικιώνονται.

Η χορήγηση μιας ειδικής άδειας διαμονής είναι απαραίτητη για τη διασφάλιση ενός ελάχιστου πλαισίου προστασίας των δικαιωμάτων των ασυνόδευτων παιδιών, σύμφωνη τόσο με τις πρόσφατες εξαγγελίες πολλών θεσμικών παραγόντων όσο και με τις πολιτικές που προβλέπονται στην Εθνική Στρατηγική για την Προστασία των Ασυνόδευτων Ανηλίκων. Σε κάθε περίπτωση τα παιδιά αυτά αποτελούν σημαντικό κοινωνικό κεφάλαιο για την χώρα, αφού συμμετέχουν στην εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία και έχουν αναπτύξει δεσμούς με την κοινωνία. Ο κίνδυνος περιθωριοποίησης και απομάκρυνσής τους ελλείψει νομιμοποιητικών εγγράφων ακυρώνει τις παραπάνω θετικές ενέργειες του ελληνικού κράτους.

Η λήψη θετικών μέτρων για τη διασφάλιση του βέλτιστου συμφέροντος του κάθε παιδιού είναι απόλυτη υποχρέωση της Πολιτείας. Το παράδειγμα του Σαϊντού πρέπει να αποτελέσει τον κανόνα και να ανοίξει το δρόμο για την αποτελεσματική προστασία όχι μόνο όλων των ασυνόδευτων παιδιών, αλλά και αυτών που ενηλικιώνονται κατά την παραμονή τους στην χώρα.

Για το συγκεκριμένο ζήτημα το Δίκτυο Συνηγορίας για τα Δικαιώματα του Παιδιού (Child Rights Advocacy Network – CRAN) θα πραγματοποιήσει διαδικτυακή συζήτηση την Τρίτη, 12 Ιουλίου 2022 και ώρα 3μμ, την οποία σας καλούμε να παρακολουθήσετε.

Οι Οργανώσεις της Κοινωνίας των Πολιτών:

  1. Action for Education,
  2. ARSIS Association for the Social Support of Youth / Άρσις Κοινωνική Οργάνωση για την Υποστήριξη των Νέων,
  3. Better Days Greece,
  4. Changemakers Lab,
  5. Diotima Centre for Gender Rights and Equality / Διοτίμα Κέντρο για τα Έμφυλα Δικαιώματα και την Ισότητα,
  6. Danish Refugee Council / Δανικό Συμβούλιο για τους Πρόσφυγες,
  7. Generation 2.0 RED,
  8. Glocal Roots,
  9. Greek Council for Refugees / Ελληνικό Συμβούλιο για τους Πρόσφυγες,
  10. Greek Forum of Migrants / Ελληνικό Φόρουμ Μεταναστών,
  11. Greek Forum of Refugees / Ελληνικό Φόρουμ Προσφύγων, 
  12. ECHO100PLUS,
  13. European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL),
  14. Faros / Φάρος,
  15. Fenix Humanitarian Legal Aid,
  16. HIAS,
  17. HumanRights360,
  18. Human Rights Legal Project, 
  19. International Rescue Committee (IRC) Hellas,
  20. Intersos Hellas,
  21. Irida Women’s Center / Ίριδα Κέντρο Γυναικών,
  22. I HAVE RIGHTS,
  23. Jesuit Refugee Service Greece,
  24. Legal Centre Lesvos, 
  25. Lighthouse Relief,
  26. Mobile Info Team,
  27. Northern Lights Aid (NLA),
  28. Odyssea,
  29. PRAKSIS,
  30. Refugee Legal Support,
  31. Safe Passage International,
  32. Still I Rise,
  33. SolidarityNow,
  34. Symbiosis – School of Political Studies in Greece, Council of Europe Network / Συμβίωση, Σχολή Πολιτικών Σπουδών στην Ελλάδα, Δίκτυο Συμβουλίου της Ευρώπης,
  35. Terre des hommes Hellas,
  36. The HOME Project,
  37. ΑΝΤΙΓΟΝΗ – Κέντρο Πληροφόρησης και Τεκμηρίωσης για το Ρατσισμό, την Οικολογία, την Ειρήνη και τη Μη Βία / ANTIGONE – Information and Documentation Centre on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non Violence,
  38. Δίκτυο για τα Δικαιώματα του Παιδιού / Network for Children’s Rights,
  39. ΕΛΙΞ-Προγράμματα Εθελοντικής Εργασίας,
  40. Κάριτας Ελλάς / Caritas Hellas,
  41. Κέντρο Ημέρας Βαβέλ,
  42. Οικολογική Κίνηση Θεσσαλονίκης / Ecological Movement of Thessaloniki,
  43. “Σχεδία” Κέντρο Παιδαγωγικής και Καλλιτεχνικής Επιμόρφωσης / Schedia,
  44. Υποστήριξη Προσφύγων στο Αιγαίο(RSA) / Refugee Support Aegean (RSA).

JOINT STATEMENT: Implementation of the safe third country concept in Greece

Posted on Tuesday March 8th, 2022
Copyright Giorgos Moutafis for SolidarityNow

27 Civil Society Organizations, SolidarityNow among them, have sent a letter to EU Commissioner, Ylva Johnasson, asking for a lawful implementation of the notion of “safe third country.”

Through the joint letter the 27 NGOs wish to convey to the EU Commissioner our concerns regarding the systematic non-compliance by Greece with the Asylum Procedures Directive as regards the safe third country concept.

The Greek asylum authorities systematically apply the safe third country concept based on Joint Ministerial Decision 42799/2021 vis-à-vis applicants originating from Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, leading to a large number of applicants having their claims dismissed as inadmissible and being ordered to return to Turkey, without any prospects of such a readmission.

The practice exposes applicants for international protection to a legal limbo whereby they are never granted access to an examination of their applications on their merits, contrary to the purpose of the Geneva Convention and of the Asylum Procedures Directive. It also leads to exclusion of people from reception conditions, resulting in inability to have access to dignified living standards and to cater for their basic subsistence needs, including health care and food.

Read the full letter here.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE: 27 organisations echo EU Commissioner’s calls on Greek authorities to ensure that all people have full access to their rights and receive basic means of subsistence

Posted on Thursday December 16th, 2021

EU Commissioner also calls for the “in-merits” examination of asylum applications rejected as inadmissible and for the effective integration of asylum holders         

 Athens, 15 December 2021 – 27 organisations, while welcoming the EU Commission’s firm response to the alarming reality that thousands of people continue to go hungry in Greek refugee camps, reiterate their calls on the Greek government to urgently abide by its obligations under national, EU and international law.

On 7 December 2021, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ms. Ylva Johansson, issued a robust response to a joint open letter by organisations working in Greece. Addressed to the European Commission and the Greek government, the letter of 26 October 2021 called for immediate access to adequate food and water for all people residing in state-run or -managed facilities, irrespective of their legal status.

Since 1 October 2021, a new policy implemented by the Greek government[1] has resulted in thousands of persons, including vulnerable individuals, being excluded from food provision. Now in place for more than 75 days, this alarming policy impacts up to 60 percent of the 16,659 residents in mainland camps, among them recognised refugees and rejected asylum seekers, as well as asylum seekers who have not been able to register their applications due to chronic processing delays at the asylum offices on the Greek mainland. Without any support, including food, are left another approximately 14,000[2] persons living in state-run ESTIA facilities, who have not received their cash support since September 2021, due to the handover of cash assistance program from UNHCR to the Greek government.

In her 7 December response, Commissioner Johansson notes that the EU has raised the issue of the discontinuation of material reception conditions with the Greek authorities multiple times. In particular, the Commissioner underscores that:  “all persons, irrespective of their status, should benefit from the provisions of EU law, notably the provisions of the Reception Conditions Directive, the Qualifications Directive and the Return Directive, and from the relevant provisions of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights”; and that the Greek authorities have been repeatedly called on to “ensure all persons, particularly the vulnerable,” receive food, hygiene products, and other necessities.”[3]

The Commissioner expresses her concern over the administrative delays that hinder asylum seekers’ and refugees’ access to their rights. She also emphasises the need to implement sustainable integration systems to facilitate recognised refugees’ transition to autonomous living as well as their access to social benefits on par with Greek nationals. The State’s obligation to facilitate recognised refugees’ access to housing is likewise underscored.

Commissioner Johansson then underlines Member States’ specific obligations towards unaccompanied children and emphasises that those who have been granted refugee status should be accommodated in specialised centres or other suitable accommodation. She notes that Member States “have an obligation to ensure full compliance with the principles of the best interest of the child and of family unity and to ensure a standard of living adequate to their physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development, including access to education and to leisure activities appropriate to their age”.

Lastly, Commissioner Johansson reiterates the Commission’s continued concerns over individuals left in protracted “legal limbo”. She states that, “[i]n line with Article 38(4) of the Asylum Procedures Directive, the Greek authorities should ensure that applicants whose applications have been declared inadmissible under the Joint Ministerial Decision and who are not being admitted to Turkey should be given access to the in-merits asylum procedure. The Commission has enquired with the Greek authorities on the steps taken towards this direction.”

The undersigned organisations welcome the Commission’s firm and unambiguous stance on these crucial issues and call on the Greek government to abide by its obligations under national, EU and international law to:

  1. a) ensure that all persons, irrespective of their legal status, have access to basic means of subsistence, notably, food and hygiene products.
  2. b) examine in substance the applications of asylum seekers who have been rejected as inadmissible on the basis that Turkey is a safe third country.

We also call on the European Commission to use the tools at its disposal as the guardian of the treaties, to ensure that the Greek government applies the relevant EU laws noted in Commissioner Johansson’s response.

Signatory Organizations:

  1. Babel Day Centre
  2. Better Days
  3. ΔΙΟΤΙΜΑ – Centre for Gender Rights and Equality
  4. Changemakers Lab
  5. ECHO100 PLUS
  6. Equal Rights Beyond Borders
  7. Europe Must Act
  8. Fenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid
  9. Greek Association of People Living with HIV “Positive Voice”
  10. Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
  11. Greek Forum of Migrants
  12. Greek Forum of Refugees
  13. HIAS Greece
  14. HumanRights360
  15. INTERSOS
  16. INTERSOS Hellas
  17. International Rescue Committee
  18. Jesuit Refugee Service Greece
  19. Lesvos Solidarity
  20. Lighthouse Relief (LHR)
  21. Refugee Legal Support (RLS)
  22. Refugees International
  23. Safe Passage International
  24. Samos Volunteers
  25. SolidarityNow
  26. Symbiosis-School of Political Studies in Greece, Council of Europe Network
  27. Terre des hommes Hellas

[1] See – Joint Open Letter – “Denying  food:  instead  of  receiving protection  people  go hungry  on  EU  soil”, October 26, 2021. Available here.

[2] Ministry of Migration& Asylum, ESTIA 2021 Factsheet. September-October-November. December 6, 2021. Available here.

Joint statement by 19 organisations active on refugee issues in Greece on the Ministry denial to register the non-profit civil society organisation “Refugee Support Aegean” (RSA) on its NGO Registry

Posted on Friday December 10th, 2021

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

 The provision of mainly legal support to persons facing deportation is part of the daily work of civil society organisations active inter alia in free legal assistance, including several organisations already registered on the NGO Registry. We all consider persons under deportation who are in need of protection in the wider sense as persons of concern, in particular in light of international law provisions prohibiting deportation of foreigners such as Articles 31 and 33 of the Refugee Convention, Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture, as well as other provisions mandating assistance to vulnerable cases on humanitarian grounds. Even rejected asylum seekers are persons to whom we are required to provide assistance under EU and domestic legislation, namely Articles 28(3)-(4) and 31(4)-(5) of Law 3907/2011 and the provisions of Directive 2008/115/EC. Activities in support of persons facing deportation are fully in line with applicable legislation, as they ensure the safeguards and rights of persons at risk of deportation and return.

The Ministry of Migration and Asylum rejection decision sets a major negative precedent calling into question our own activity. We also believe that it causes reputational damage to Greece for poor implementation of refugee law, as well as international, EU and domestic law more broadly. For those reasons, we express our concern and expect the administration to take the necessary steps to correct the aforementioned decision in line with the law.

The signatory organisations:

  1. CRWI Diotima
  2. Danish Refugee Council
  3. Equal Rights Beyond Borders
  4. Fenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid
  5. Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
  6. Hellenic League for Human Rights
  7. HIAS Greece
  8. HIGGS |Higher Incubator Giving Growth & Sustainability
  9. HumanRights360
  10. International Rescue Committee
  11. Legal Centre Lesvos
  12. Lesvos Solidarity
  13. Médecins Sans Frontières Greece
  14. Network for Children’s Rights
  15. Refugee Legal Support
  16. Refugee Support Aegean (RSA)
  17. SolidarityNow
  18. Symbiosis – School of Political Studies, Council of Europe Network
  19. Terre des hommes Hellas

Joint Press Release: The letter of 36 NGOs to Pope Francis about refugees’ condition in Greece

Posted on Wednesday December 1st, 2021
Copyright Giorgos Moutafis for SolidarityNow

36 civil society organizations have sent a letter to Pope Francis regarding the refugee situation in view of his upcoming visit to Greece.

In a letter released at an online press conference on Thursday, December 2, the NGOs asked, among other things, to meet with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and inform him about the living conditions of refugees in Greece, as well as the need to support refugees quest for access to asylum with a message of solidarity towards our persecuted fellow humans.

Signatories:

  1. A Drop in the Ocean
  2. Actionaid Hellas
  3. ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth
  4. Βabel Day Center
  5. Caritas Hellas
  6. Centre Diotima
  7. Changemakers Lab
  8. Community Pope John XXIII
  9. Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
  10. ECHO100PLUS
  11. ELIX
  12. Equal Rights Beyond Borders
  13. Europe Must Act
  14. Fenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid
  15. Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
  16. Greek Forum of Migrants
  17. Greek Forum of Refugees
  18. Hellenic League for Human Rights
  19. HIAS Greece
  20. Humanrights360
  21. INTERSOS
  22. INTERSOS Hellas
  23. Irida Women’s Center
  24. Jesuit Refugee Service Greece (JRS Greece)
  25. Lesvos Solidarity
  26. Médecins du Monde – Greece
  27. Network for Children’s Rights
  28. Mobile Info Team (MIT)
  29. Odyssea
  30. Refugee Legal Support
  31. Refugee Support Aegean (RSA)
  32. Samos Advocacy Collective
  33. Samos Volunteers
  34. SolidarityNow
  35. Still I Rise
  36. Symbiosis-School of Political Studies in Greece, Council of Europe

NGOs raise alarm at growing hunger amongst refugees and asylum seekers in Greece

Posted on Thursday November 25th, 2021

A halt to cash assistance for asylum seekers, and the denial of food support to recognised refugees and rejected asylum seekers is creating a hunger crisis in Greece, 27 NGOs and civil society organisations warn today.

For nearly two months, up to 60 per cent of current residents of the Greek refugee camps on the mainland have not had access to sufficient food. Following the implementation in October 2021 of a law passed last year, the Greek Government stopped providing services to those whose asylum applications have been accepted. One in four residents in these facilities are women and two in five are children.

“The women in Eleonas camp keep telling us that their children are crying at night with hunger. Mothers now don’t have money for baby milk so they mush up biscuits in water instead.” said Emily Wilson of Project Elea.

One chronically ill father of three children from Afghanistan, said: “If I don’t eat it’s fine but I can’t leave my babies hungry”.

In addition, approximately 34,000 asylum seekers have gone for two months without cash assistance that had previously enabled them to buy food, clothing and other essential items.

The EU-funded cash assistance programme was previously administered by UNHCR but was interrupted after the Greek Government took over its management on 1 October 2021.

In response to calls by NGOs to urgently address the situation, the government made public assurances that distributions would resume by the end of October. One month later, the problem remains unresolved and its devastating impact on asylum seekers grows by the day.

Martha Roussou of the International Rescue Committee said: “Vulnerable and marginalised people are being pushed over the edge: children have to go to school hungry; sick people can’t get a bus to attend to their medical needs; and families have no resources to prepare for a cold winter.”

The halt to cash assistance is stripping asylum seekers’ of their dignity and depriving them of the lifeline many depended upon. Refugees and asylum seekers, who were already economically marginalised, are resorting to begging and other negative coping mechanisms to survive.

Ana Liz Chiban of Fenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid said: “Among those affected are rejected asylum seekers who cannot access accommodation or healthcare and have no right to work. This includes many Afghan and Syrian refugees whose applications were rejected on the basis that Turkey is a safe country, despite the fact Turkey is not accepting any returns from Greece.”

Some asylum seekers who live outside the camps as beneficiaries of the Emergency Support to Integration and Accommodation (ESTIA) program are particularly vulnerable. They have also been affected by the interruption in cash provision but, unlike people in the camps, do not receive prepared food distributions. Without even this alternative, they have been left completely dependent on local social services and organisations to receive food, where those are available.

Anita Bay, Director of Save the Children Europe, said: “Through both its actions and inaction, the Government of Greece is creating a hunger crisis amongst refugees and asylum seekers in the country. It is unlawful, unnecessary, and totally unacceptable for this to be happening in the EU.”

NGOs are calling for urgent action to address the growing crisis, including for the Government of Greece to:

  • Make the resumption of cash distributions a political priority;
  • Provide emergency assistance such as basic goods or vouchers to use in shops or for transport, to asylum seekers who were previously receiving cash assistance,
  • Ensure cash assistance instalments that were not delivered to asylum seekers in the past months are delivered when the new system is put in place;
  • Distribute adequate and nutritious food to all people residing in camps, regardless of whether they are recognised refugees, asylum seekers or have had their claims rejected.

Background

–     In October 2021, a press release and open letter were published by NGOs and organisations raising  alarm over the disruptions to cash assistance for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece.

–        In response to the press release, the Ministry of Asylum and Migration categorically stated that asylum seekers would have access to “financial assistance provided at the end of October.

–     Under EU and Greek law (Article 17 of the Directive 2013/33/EU and Article 55 of the Law 4636/2019), Greece is responsible for ensuring minimum material reception conditions to asylum seekers.

–  In 2020, the government of Greece enacted new legislation, under which beneficiaries of international protection, with few exceptions, have all material reception support discontinued within 30 days of receiving their positive decision (Article 114 of the Law 4636/2019 amended by Article 111 of the Law 4674/2020). In October 2021, the Greek government started excluding protection status holders from food and water distribution as a means of implementing this legislation. Exclusion from food and water distribution also affects asylum seekers with a final negative decision, despite the fact that many of them have the right to a re-examination of their asylum claim.

Signatory organisations:

  1. Action for Education
  2. Arsis – Association for the Social Support of Youth
  3. Babel Day Center
  4. Better Days
  5. Changemakers Lab
  6. ECHO100PLUS
  7. Equal Rights Beyond Borders
  8. Europe Must Act
  9. Fenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid
  10. Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
  11. HIAS Greece
  12. HumanRights360
  13. INTERSOS
  14. INTERSOS Hellas
  15. I HAVE RIGHTS
  16. International Rescue Committee
  17. Jesuit Refugee Service Greece ( JRS Greece )
  18. Lighthouse Relief (LHR)
  19. Mobile Info Team (MIT)
  20. Refugee Legal Support
  21. Refugees International
  22. Safe Passage International
  23. Save the Children
  24. Still I Rise
  25. SolidarityNow
  26. Symbiosis-School of Political Studies in Greece, Council of Europe Network
  27. Terre des hommes Hellas