THE DUBLIN II TRAP TRANSFERS OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS TO GREECE Asylum-seekers in Greece lack protection under the current asylum determination system. They are frequently denied access to the asylum procedure, a fair hearing of their claim and since July 2009, have been denied the right to an effective appeal. There is little access to legal counselling, interpretation services and necessary information. Detention conditions can be very poor. There is insufficient provision of accommodation. But the biggest risk asylum-seekers face is refoulement, (forcible return to a place where they are at risk of human rights violations). Under the European Union Dublin Regulation, asylum-seekers are required to register their asylum claim in the first EU country they enter as all EU countries are expected to provide the same level of human rights protection. In 2007/2008, because of growing concern about the inadequate asylum system in Greece, some states suspended or reduced transfers of asylum-seekers there. In 2009, however, some resumed the transfers, although there is little evidence that the asylum procedure meets the required standards. Amnesty International International Secretariat Peter Benenson House 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW United Kingdom www.amnesty.org Index: EUR 25/001/2010 March 2010 This report examines the experiences of asylum-seekers transferred under the Dublin Regulation to Greece. It concludes that Greece fails to provide a full and fair asylum determination procedure and calls for the urgent suspension of these returns until necessary improvements are made in law and practice, in line with relevant regional and international standards.