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.

Report to the European Commission by Greek NGOs on infringement of EC Directive on minimum standards for granting and withdrawing refugee status

On 16 November 2009 six of the most important Greek organizations providing assistance to refugees and asylum applicants, Amnesty International, Ecumenical Refugee Programme, Greek Council for Refugees, Group of Lawyers for the Rights of Migrants and Refugees, Hellenic League for Human Rights and Praksis submitted to the European Commission a common report, in which they present their views on those aspects of the current greek legal framework for asylum procedure which are not in compliance with community law.

PRESS RELEASE

On 30 June 2009, presidential decree 81/2009 was published in the Greek Government Gazette, with the title: "Modification of presidential decree 90/08 on 'Harmonisation of Greek legislation to the provisions of Council Directive 2005/85/EC on minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing refugee status' ".

Double life on the border for Greek undercover immigration officer

(THESSALONIKI) - A veteran of Greece's anti-immigration police, 'Nick' has driven thousands of miles posing as a Turkish trucker, dodged an Albanian killer and was nearly shot by Greek border guards.

It's all in a day's work for the undercover officer who operates on Greece's northeastern border with Turkey, a major smuggling route through which thousands of clandestine immigrants slip into the country every year, seeking a better future in the European Union.

EU border watchdog Frontex calls the region delineated by the River Evros, Greece's natural boundary with Turkey, "the hottest area of illegal immigration in Europe".

Denunciation by the Group of Lawyers for the rights of Migrants and Refugees

Denunciation by the Group of Lawyers for the rights of Migrants and Refugees

On 8 September 2009 members of the Group of Lawyers for the rights of Migrants and Refugees visited the police station of Agios Panteleimonas in order to contact with their client, an Afghan detainee who was a victim of armed robbery in the Attica Square. We denounce the unjustifiable deficiency of police authorities responsible for the preliminary investigation in verifying the identity of the perpetrators. We denounce the fact that the papers in the case were sent particularly incomplete to the Public Prosecutor without even recording a sworn statement by the victim.

Moving Detained Migrants to North Raises - Fears of "Pushbacks" to Turkey

Greece: Halt Crackdown, Arrests of Migrants

July 27, 2009

It appears Greece is doing everything it can to close the door on persons who seek protection in Europe, no matter how vulnerable they are. The European Union must hold Greece accountable for acts contrary to international and European human rights and refugee law, and it needs to act fast, as the lives of many are at risk
Bill Frelick, Director, Refugee Policy Program
Greek authorities are arresting large numbers of migrants and asylum seekers in the country's cities and islands and moving many of them to the north, raising fears of illegal expulsions to Turkey, Human Rights Watch said today.