Challenging the systematic criminalization of asylum seekers: Justice prevails as Afghan asylum seeker is cleared of smuggling charges on Rhodes

On December 10th, Equal Rights Beyond Borders appeared before the Court of Rhodes, representing an asylum seeker from Afghanistan who was accused of human smuggling and faced a heavy and lengthy prison sentence. Despite the increasingly hostile anti-migration climate in Greece, Equal Rights successfully secured his acquittal on all charges and subsequent release.

Info Sessions On Gender Based Violence In Vial Refugee Camp – Chios From Nov 24 - Dec 10

We joined UNHCR during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence to hold multilingual GBV info sessions with women in Vial Camp on Chios. Across five languages, we discussed rights, protection mechanisms, and referral pathways for GBV survivors in Greece. The exchange created space for empowerment, awareness, and honest sharing with women from diverse backgrounds.

Our Christmas Campaign 2025: Human Rights Need People Who Defend Them

Human rights in Europe are increasingly under pressure. Our Christmas campaign calls on everyone to take a stand. Become a human rights defender and send a clear message for human rights.

Seeking Asylum Is a Right That Cannot Be Suspended: Positive Suspension Decisions from the Administrative Court of First Instance of Piraeus against the unlawful removal of Sudanese and Yemeni nationals

After an increased number of arrivals from Libya to Crete, Greece had ‘suspended’ the right to asylum and refused to register asylum applications. Instead, they were detained and faced deportation. Unlawful – as the Administrative Court of First Instance of Piraeus now made clear. In decisions issued on 24 October and 6 November, emphasized that the applicants had expressed their wish to seek asylum upon arrival in Greece and, therefore, should not be removed from the country.

Court Ends Unlawful Detention of Syrian Woman in Kos Pre-Removal Detention Centre

The Rhodes Administrative Court of First Instance has ordered the immediate release of a Syrian woman unlawfully detained in the Kos Pre-Removal Detention Centre (PRDC), following legal action by Equal Rights Beyond Borders. The Court ruled that her detention lacked legal justification, marking a significant step toward protecting the rights of asylum seekers detained on Kos.

Equal Rights Beyond Borders honored as flagship project with the “Wir für morgen” award

Berlin-based association “Equal Rights Beyond Borders” honored as a flagship project with the “Wir für morgen” award

Unlawful Detention of Unaccompanied Minors in the “Safe Area” of the Kos CCAC

Five More Judgments by the Administrative Court of Rhodes

In five separate rulings issued, the Administrative Court of First Instance of Rhodes found that the continued restriction of liberty for unaccompanied minors within the so-called “Safe Area” of the Closed Controlled Access Centre (CCAC) of Kos amounted to unlawful de facto detention.

Webinar: Child Detention at Europe’s Borders – Legal, Political and Human Perspectives

Joint Press Release: The European Commission seized of the suspension of the right to asylum in Greece

The Administrative Court of First Instance of Piraeus also puts a stop to unlawful returns of asylum seekers

On 4 and 5 September 2025, the Administrative Court of First Instance of Piraeus issued temporary orders prohibiting the removal from Greece of three refugees who were not allowed to apply for asylum following the unlawful suspension of the right to access asylum.