systemic and institutional deficiencies (lack of expertise and specialization, lack of adequate
training, lack of impartiality e.t.c.), arbitrary practices and policies characterizes the whole
asylum process emanated by the police. Also the creation of both “Centres of First Reception”
for asylum seekers (P.D. 220/2007) and screening centres has been substituted by the Migrant
Detention Centres, in which asylum seekers and people in need of international protection are
being deprived of basic human rights. This policy of arbitrary sweeping operations have been
generalized, during the last months, by the new government and are cynically labeled as
“operation Xenios Dias- Host Jupiter”.
In addition, there is still evidence of hindrances and obstructive attitudes on the part of
Greek authorities towards asylum seekers who tried to file an application. Police stations where
applications can be lodged are only open for a few hours on Saturdays and receive only 20
applications per day. Yet, not all police stations accept applications. In Attica region only the
Police Directorate (Petrou Ralli) receives still 20 applications per Saturday early morning (5.00
a.m.). One should note that since May 2012, no improvement has been made and there were
also reports of police offices discouraging potential applicants even with violent means. There
is no prioritisation of certain groups of applicants with special needs. Only when an NGO
interferes by sending a fax, and even then sometimes there is lack of understanding by the
authorities when the applicant with the special needs cannot prove the fact that he/she belongs
to a vulnerable group.
Greek Council for Refugees, together with other national NGOs, carried out a
monitoring during the first months of 2012, outside the Police Directorate in Attica region
(Petrou Ralli). The findings of this asylum campaign were published in July 2012 and still
remain valid. As in the report of the asylum campaign is stressed “[…] On 18 February three
unaccompanied minors of Afghan origin waiting in the queue were identified by the
participants in the campaign. The minors were indicated by the participants in the campaign to
the officer in charge as UAM entitled to immediate measures of protection and care. As the
officer took the children with him, we assumed that he intended to follow the process set by law
and to take the necessary measures to ensure their access to the asylum procedure and their
protection. However, the participants of the campaign followed-up the case and were informed
by the minors that they were dismissed by the police officer, without having their applications
registered, without any further guidance and/or measure taken to ensure their protection (i.e.
inform the Prosecutor for minors, refer to appropriate accommodation facility for minors etc)
[...] ”.
The requirement of an official address results in a hindrance as many asylum seekers are
homeless. The authorities try to reach the asylum seekers by phone (when examined at second
instance – appeal committees) or they are informed when they renew their card. There have
been allegations that no proper interpretation has been used in both cases of notification.
Immense delays in the renewals of the asylum seekers document (pink card), which