Two more recognised refugees were evicted from the Kos CCAC and forced into homelessness and precarious living conditions while awaiting the issuance of their residence permits. More than 3 months have passed since their eviction and their permits have yet to be issued.

The administration of the CCAC proceeded with the eviction of these refugees after the expiration of the 30 days they are legally entitled to stay in the facility.

As a result of the eviction and the long administrative delay in the issuance of their residence permits, the refugees have had no access to food, housing, employment, medical and pharmaceutical care for months. And while they have been struggling to meet these needs, the authorities have invited them to repeat certain fingerprinting procedures, without providing them with any information on the reasons behind these repetitions. Meanwhile, these repetitions are often in derogation of the proper application of the provisions on the fingerprinting of persons with disabilities. 

Following a complaint by Equal Rights Beyond Borders on behalf of these refugees, the Greek Ombudsman requested the Kos Police Directorate and the Kos Regional Asylum Office to take the necessary measures for a) the immediate issuance of the residence permits of the two refugees, b) the proper implementation of the Joint Ministerial Decision on the fingerprinting procedure and especially the provisions concerning persons with disabilities, and c) the provision of information to refugees on the status of their case.

Furthermore, the Ombudsman commented on the shortening of the right of stay of recognised refugees in accommodation facilities following the delivery of a positive asylum decision to just 30 days. Specifically, the Ombudsman underlined that this shortening is incompatible with the absence of a corresponding provision shortening the time for the issuance of residence permits.

Finally, the Ombudsman pointed out that the pertinent law provided for the issuance of a ministerial decision concerning the extension of material reception conditions for special categories of beneficiaries of international protection. However, no such ministerial decision has been issued since the law took effect two years ago. As such, the Ombudsman asked the administration of the Kos CCAC to consider the vulnerability of refugees when processing requests for the extension of their stay in the facility, as well as to take the necessary measures to extend the housing and material living conditions for recognised refugees as required by law. The latter is considered extremely important on Kos, an island heavily influenced by the housing crisis.