4 At the start of the “crisis”, new arrivals were for the most part “managed” through the massive solidarity movement that erupted in the of 2015 throughout Greece. For more, see D. Avgeri, et. al., ‘Balkan Refugee Trail: a Pathway for Solidarity’, Greek Council for Refugees [website], July 2017, <https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8TP-HAgPfT-ejl1akxGS0d0Vk0/view>, last accessed 29 March 2018, pp.13-25. 5 European Union: Council of the European Union, Directive 2013/33/EU of the European Parliament and Council of 26 June 2013 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (recast), 29 June 2013, OJ L. 180/96 -105/32; 29.6.2013, 2013/33/EU, <http://www.refworld.org/docid/51d29db54.html>, last accessed 15 March 2018. 6 For a complete list of interviews with third parties see Annex I (list of interviews/region). 7 A daily breakdown of arrivals per island, as well as numbers of residents per accommodation place and RIC can be found on the Hellenic Republic’s Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications, and Information Policy Website at: http://mindigital.gr/index.php/%CF%80%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%86%CF%85%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C-%CE% B6%CE%AE%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%B1-refugee-crisis. 8 To be noted, the routes renewed importance can more accurately be understood not so much by the number of those being recorded as having crossed the borders, as much as by the number of those not managing to do so due to being apprehended at the Turkish side. This is highlighted by the fact that, although in 2016 Turkish authorities had reportedly apprehended an estimated 7,500 persons while trying to (irregularly) cross the Evros border, throughout 2017 the same number had nearly tripled (20,700). UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), ‘Desperate Journeys (January-September 2017 update)’, UNHCR operational portal [online database], 23 November 2017, p.2., <https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/60865>, last accessed 15 March 2018. 9 Data are based on arrests made at the Greek-Turkish land borders by the Hellenic Police, on charges of illegal/undocumented entry. A breakdown per year (and per region) can be found at: http://www.astynomia.gr/index.php?option=ozo_content&lang=%27..%27&perform=view&id=70776&Itemid=1240&lang=. 10 Hellenic Republic, Greek Ministry of Citizen Protection, Δελτίο Τύπου σχετικά με δημοσίευμα ιστοσελίδας, που αναφέρεται σε επαναπροωθήσεις προσφύγων/μεταναστών στον Έβρο [Press Release regarding a website publication, which referred to refoulements of refugees/migrants at Evros], 30 January 2018, <http://www.mopocp.gov.gr/index.php?option=ozo_content&lang=&perform=view&id=6306&Itemid=653>, last accessed 15 March 2018. To be noted, there is a significant divergence between the data provided in this press release, and the relevant data provided by the Hellenic Police (5,677 arrests on charges of illegal entry at the Evros land border for 2017). 11 Characteristically, as per personnel of the Hellenic Center for Disease Control (KEELPNO), which undertook the provision of medical services in most RICs during the summer of 2017, between August and up to the time of our respective visits, some 60-70% of the beneficiaries they had seen in Lesvos, and 90%, in Kos, exhibited some sort of vulnerability or another. These included substance addictions, physical disabilities, chronic diseases, psychological issues, maltreatment, broken bones, skin conditions, and many psychological (e.g. post-traumatic stress disorders) and neurologic issues (e.g. epilepsies). Information acquired through interviews with KEELPNO staff in Lesvos and Kos on 15 December 2017 and 12 January 2018, respectively, as well as the RIC sub-Director in Moria, Lesvos, on 15 December 2017. Access to the Territory and Reception The law dictates that upon irregular entry to the Greek territory, all newcomers are to be ‘immediately transferred under the responsibility of the police or port authorities…to a Reception and Identification Center’ (article 14(1) of L. 4375/2016).12 This, to be noted, is a pre-requisite for the proper reception of newcomers and thus for ensuring their access to a set of services and rights (e.g. asylum). These include medical examinations and the provision of healthcare and psychosocial support, the provision 7