Conference "The situation at the Greek-Turkish border: access to the asylum procedure and procedural safeguards"

The Group of Lawyers for the Rights of Migrants and Refugees and the group "Kayiki"
are pleased to invite you to the conference

"The situation at the Greek-Turkish border: access to the asylum procedure and procedural safeguards"

which will take place on Friday 03 December 2010, 17:00 - 20.00,
in the conference room of the Greek Ombudsman Building
(Hatzigianni Mexi str 5, Athens)

Statement by the Head of the UNHCR Office in Greece in relation to the hunger strike of Iranians at Propylaia, Athens

UNHCR 

The UN Refugee Agency

1. The hunger strike of Iranian asylum seekers at Propylaia, seven among whom have sewed their lips, is based on their legitimate claim to have their asylum applications processed and a final decision on their legal status issued, according to the asylum legislation.

2. It should be noted that among the hunger strikers, there are persons whose interviews at first instance are delaying for more than a year, while others’ cases are pending at second instance for several years.

Racist violence in St. Panteleimonas Square - a press review

A compilation of press articles referring to the escalating phenomenon of racist violence in St. Pantleleimonas area. The reported period is from September 2009 to October 2010.

Download the report here

UNHCR says asylum situation in Greece is 'a humanitarian crisis'

Briefing Notes, 21 September 2010

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 21 September 2010, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR is today calling on Greece to urgently accelerate implementation of its planned asylum reform. This is in light of the continued absence in Greece of a functioning asylum system, an issue with important implications for the wider EU.

Welcome to madness: The role of Greece as the gatekeeper of Fortress Europe

"Welcome to madness : The role of Greece as the gatekeeper of Fortress Europe" is a thesis written by Georgia Dekavalla and Sara Sabzian in the framework of their studies at Linnaeus University. The paper aims to gain an insight into the reality that migrants are faced with when searching for a better life in Europe based on a field study conducted in Athens in the spring of 2010.

Report of the Group of Lawyers on the situation of Dublin returnees in Greece submitted to the ECHR

The Group of Lawyers for the Rights of Migrants and Refugees published the following report on the occasion of a Dublin returnees case from Netherlands to Greece before the European Court of Human Rights.

Press release by the Group of Lawyers regarding the racist slogans chanted by members of the Special Unit of Underwater Operations of the Greek Coast Guard during the parade of 25 March 2010

PRESS RELEASE

On 1 April 2010, the Group of Lawyers for the Rights of Migrants and Refugees filed a criminal complaint against the squadron of the Special Unit of Underwater Operations of the Greek Coast Guard that took part in the national parade of 25 March 2010 and against any other responsible entity.

Press Release for the rebellion in Venna detention centre

PRESS RELEASE - VENNA


The recent trial (05/2/2010) of the 42 migrants who had been held in the "Venna special holding facility for illegal migrants" and their conviction by the Three-Member Misdemeanours Court of Rodopi of disobedience and/or of damages "caused by the detainees during clashes" following an uproar in the above-mentioned centre brings again to the spotlight the major issue of a practice that has been going on for years now, the systemic abuse of fundamental human rights of an invisible category of persons, those held in Venna detention center and in other facilities close to the Greek borders.i

Suggested amendments in the Greek nationality - from the Group of Lawyers for the Rights of Migrants and Refugees

Greek nationality code -

One step ahead or two steps backwards

The Group of Lawyers for the Rights of Migrants and Refugees sees the suggested amendments in the Greek nationality code as well as the suggested amendments regarding the right to participate in the municipal elections, as being a step in the right direction.