Greece: UN experts on arbitrary detention concerned by detention conditions and limited access to legal assistance

Published on February 1, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , , , .

ATHENS / GENEVA (31 January 2013) – At the end of its 11-day visit to Greece, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention noted that the time has come for an improvement of conditions of detention and for the effective implementation of recent positive legislative developments, including in the area of migration and asylum.

“In most detention facilities visited by the Working Group, the conditions fall far below international human rights standards, including in terms of severe overcrowding,” stressed Vladimir Tochilovsky, member of the Working Group.

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Snapshots of a human tragedy that continues, by Efi Latsoudi

Published on January 29, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , , , .

The bodies of 21 migrants were found on a beach on the Aegean island of Lesbos, December 15, 2012, after the sinking of their boat. A young Afghan of 16 years, one of only two survivors indicated that the boat had left the coast of Turkey, had thirty
people aboard, mostly Afghans, when it capsized because of bad weather. Efi Latsoudi, resident and volunteer Mytilene the charity « To Chorio tou Oloi Mazi », which helped the families of the victims in their efforts, discusses the moments of this drama, and the obstacles, and indifferenceof the authorities.
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Syrian refugees detained in Petrou Ralli (Athens) and Aspropirgos in hunger strike!

Published on January 29, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

They demand freedom and political asylum. Some of the hunger strikers are more than 15 months in detention!

roz karta (in greek)

Mounting tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean over migration and asylum: a European problem

Published on January 29, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , .

Strasbourg, 24.01.2013 – Given the mounting tensions over asylum and irregular migration into Greece, Turkey and other Mediterranean countries, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has underlined the need to rethink responsibilities here and deal with what should be recognised as a European problem and not one confined to a single or a few European States.
Greece, the main entry point for irregular migrants into the EU, and Turkey, the main country of transit, which has taken in 150 000 refugees from Syria, will not be able to resolve their difficulties “without greater solidarity and assistance from the EU and other member states of the Council of Europe”, was the view taken by PACE members during a debate held under urgent procedure in Strasbourg today.
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STATEWATCH: Greece/Italy. Detainees’ rights overrule absconding and rioting charges, courts rule 21.01.2013

Published on January 26, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

by Statewatch

Two recent judgments in Italy and Greece have found detainees innocent of the charges that were brought against them by the local authorities following escape from one migration detention centre and rioting in another. Courts ruled that the actions of detained migrants in opposing their detention conditions were legitimate.
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“Xenios Dias”-sweep continues: New police raid in Athens centre

Published on January 26, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , .

On Saturday 26th of January 2013, 152 migrants were temporarily arrested in Attica – most of them street vendors whose whares were confiscated.

Until that date police during “Xenios Dias operation” which lasts already since August 4th, 2012:

– temporarily arrested 73.100 migrants
– of whom 4.352 were finally arrested due to lacking residence permits
– 519 homes were searched
and 2.373 women were temporarily arrested for prostitution (migrant and non) of whom it remains unclear how many had to stay in detention and how many were falsely arrested.

i-efimerida (in greek)
preza tv (in greek)

Migrant detainee tries to commit suicide in Drama detention centre

Published on January 25, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , , , .

A migrant detainee in Parenesti, Drama tried to commit suicide with a razor in the night of Friday, 25th. The other detainees complained in a heated atmosphere against the detention conditions. Soon police forces were called to “control” the escalating situation.

tvxs (in greek)

Massive police raid in the name of “Xenios Dias” operation in Patras today

Published on January 23, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

More than 150 temporary arrested and 40 arrested migrants until now. The arrested will be transferred to the detention centre of Corinth.

tvxs (in greek)

“Turned away” HRW reports about illegal push-backs of minors from the Italian Sea Ports to Greece

Published on January 23, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Read the whole report here

Unaccompanied minor dies in Evros

Published on January 21, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

On January 21st, 2013 nine Afghans were found in the region of Mandra, Didimotixos in Evros (five women, two minor boys and one minor girl with one man). One of the minors – a 16-year-old – had died. Some of the arrested had to be transferred to the hospital, the rest of them was brought to detention.

newsbeast (in Greek)