RECOMMENDATIONS
45 civil society organisations urge EU institutions and national governments, particularly the Greek authorities,
the European Commission and its Task Force Migration Management, and Members of the European Parliament
to:
1. Ensure the Greek government establishes safety and security measures in the site management of reception
facilities that promote the protection of camp residents and staff and without encroaching on their rights and
freedoms.
2. Guarantee that new arrivals to the Greek island are not detained by default and that restrictions on movement,
in law and practice, comply with international and European human rights standards.
3.S
ecure a firm commitment from the Greek authorities that they will uphold the freedom of movement of residents of all camps and guarantee access to essential services, including legal aid, formal education (especially
for children) and healthcare. Guarantee that asylum seekers located at facilities in remote areas have access to
city centres or nearby urban areas by facilitating accessible transport.
4. Guarantee a timely and adequate monitoring and evaluation plan to assess conditions in the new MPRICs and
any walled-off camps and their impact on residents’ access to rights, material reception conditions, services,
assistance, mental health, and formal education (especially for children).
5. Urgently scrutinise the use of EU funds to finance the construction of MPRICs and walls around mainland
camps, considering a moratorium on construction until the fundamental rights of residents are guaranteed.
6. Ensure that the access of independent actors, including those providing legal and other services, and monitors
to the new or adapted facilities is not unduly restricted. Also ensure that legislation and policies governing
NGOs’ access to reception facilities in Greece are in line with EU and international law and standards regarding
the freedom of association. The EU Commission should proceed without delay in assessing whether Greek
legislation restricting NGO activity is compatible with EU law.48
7. Urge the Greek government to revoke new restrictions on access to cash assistance, to allow asylum seekers
to live in independent housing. The Greek government should also invest in alternative accommodation to
reception facilities to promote integration and social inclusion while people complete the asylum process.
8 September 2021
Co-signed by:
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5.
6.
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8.
Action for Education
Amnesty International
Better Days
Centre Diotima
Changemakers Lab
Choose Love
Danish Refugee Council
Europe Must Act
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL)
Feeding Hope @ Hope Cafe Athens
Fenix - Humanitarian Legal Aid
Flygtningebørn.dk
Glocal Roots
Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
Greek Forum of Migrants
HumanRights360
48. Parliamentary questions - Answer given by Mr Reynders (European Parliament, 15 January 2021) <link> accessed 24 August 2021
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