Access to Legal Counselling, Information & Translation Access to Legal Services Access to Legal Services in Detention Regarding the Asylum Procedure Nearly 80% of respondents had applied for international protection, and were either still in the asylum procedure, or had received rejections. Those who received rejections had either missed their appeal deadline or could not afford the 100 euro fee to apply for a second subsequent application. Individuals who had previously applied, but received negative decisions, are legally considered as third country nationals staying illegally in Greece, and are therefore subject to detention in view of removal under the amended Law 3907/2011.[201] However, many people who were detained on these grounds did not receive appropriate information, translation or access to legal counselling in order to complete their asylum procedure fairly. In fact, the majority of people we spoke to did not know their legal status while in detention, or the status of their application. As a result, many individuals who are now considered under Law 3907/2011 - and no longer under asylum law - had been deeply impacted by a lack of access to legal aid and thus international protection throughout their time in detention. This pattern indicates a systematic attempt to endanger applicants' access to information and legal counselling throughout their asylum procedure and subsequent removal, thus depriving access to their freedom and rights. Only seven respondents were able to access free legal services from the state or an NGO, and only four respondents reported access to free legal support in the asylum unit for their asylum procedure, although this was sometimes offered online through a video call. Applicants for international protection are only granted free legal aid for their asylum procedure when appealing a rejected decision.[202] As a result, people are left with two options; find support from an NGO or a private lawyer. The issue of legal representation and assistance is one that is raised repeatedly by our clients. Across Greece, legal NGOs providing support to people in detention are limited, but include GCR, Equal Rights Beyond Borders, Equal Legal Aid as well as Mobile Info Team. All organisations report a lack of capacity to support detained individuals, forcing people to search for alternatives. People frequently reported the use of privately paid lawyers to support them with their asylum procedure, although many could not afford this, leaving them in an information void which is amplified by detention. So, actually, the interpreter and I talked to them. They told us that because your case has been rejected, you should pay 100 Euros. I said I don’t have it unfortunately, how can I pay for it? They said if you’re outside the jail, also you have to pay it, it’s the rule for everyone just the same. I said If I am outside, I can work, I can pay for it. But inside how I can pay you? How can I bring you some money here? And he said that then they hung up. They said it’s your problem, it’s up to you. Sayed, Corinth So actually, I got rejected 3 times, then they asked me to pay 100 euros to a lawyer, so I paid, then the lawyer helped me for my procedure, so after they helped me to get out, I got my protection. Ehsan, Amygdaleza Yes, [I want to appeal my rejection] but actually in order to appeal I need to have a lawyer. I don’t have it here, so I can’t apply for that. So I haven’t appealed, I have to wait to go out and then to appeal. Esfandiar, Paranesti 51