Equal Rights Beyond Borders - Equal Rights Beyond Borders

Joint Statement: Greece must fix its dysfunctional registration system which unlawfully detains asylum seekers and denies them access to fundamental rights

Summary

In November 2023, Mobile Info Team (MIT) and Refugee Legal Support (RLS) published a report highlighting a number of serious deficiencies in the procedure for claiming asylum on the Greek mainland. One year later, together with Equal Rights Beyond Borders (ERBB), who have particular insight into the plight of people inside Malakasa RIC, we highlight the unlawful practices, delays and dysfunction that are depriving people of their legal rights. We once again call on the Greek State to overhaul this registration system, which forces people seeking international protection - including minors - to endure detention in remotely located camps with limited access to healthcare, support and basic necessities. Furthermore, many people are unable to access the registration system, due to the online platform being either unavailable or not providing appointments at Malakasa RIC, leaving people unprotected and unable to access their basic rights.

The practice of prolonged detention of asylum seekers for the purpose of screening is particularly disturbing given that this is likely to become the standard procedure across the EU under the new Migration Pact. A number of concerns based on the existing practice in Greece were raised in a joint policy paper last November - including the risk of systematic prolonged de facto detention within screening centres, delays or non-implementation of vulnerability screenings, and substandard physical conditions in the facilities.

We call on the Greek State to act according to its legal obligations, and:

Ensure uninterrupted access to the online platform and provision of appointments to register claims for asylum.
End the deprivation of liberty of applicants for international protection for the purpose of reception and identification procedures.
Recognise people as applicants for international protection and ensure full access to adequate reception conditions from the moment they request an appointment to register their claim for asylum, and provide them with documentation to evidence this status.
Ensure that people who are eligible for family reunification, including unaccompanied minors, are registered without delay and the relevant actions are undertaken so as to ensure deadlines are not missed and families do not endure prolonged separation.
Desist from detaining people before their appointments to register claims for asylum and ensure the immediate release of any such person from pre-removal detention centres.
Ensure that the reception conditions in RICs are humane and meet the basic standards for dignified living, and people undergoing screening have adequate access to healthcare, psychosocial support, follow-up treatment and information regarding their legal situation and rights in a language they understand.