Difficulties Reporting on These Issues
Mobile Info Team is also highly concerned by the lack of effective reporting mechanisms within detention
facilities. Compounded by the restricted access to sites by CSOs and the public, and the evident lack of
access to legal support, detainees are at high risk of being deprived of their rights and effective remedy.
Yet, without regular monitoring systems or feedback structures, people in detention are left with little
options. Despite some detention centres enabling detainees to use their mobile phones, Tavros (Petrou
Ralli) does not permit their use, further limiting detainees' contact with individuals and organisations
outside. Paranesti PRDC additionally breaks the cameras on detainees’ phones, which respondents
frequently reported was to restrict visibility on the poor conditions inside and reduce public awareness.
The UNHCR, ICRC and IOM are some of the few organisations that are allowed to access detention
centres, however, respondents felt that their visits were infrequent and perceived that they were in some
way tied to the Greek state, limiting what they felt that they could report. Finally, the precarious situation
that many detainees are in regarding their legal status, access to financial and social services and
healthcare led to people fearing speaking out. This is of grave concern and points to the organisation of
systems and structures which aim to silence people in detention.
Yes of course everyone, they took
everyone’s phones, cameras from us. The
detention that I was in, as I know from
160 people, no one has any cameras and
actually if the police find anyone with a
camera, then they are in trouble.
Makan, Paranesti
They give us phones, but they take the
camera off, so I want to show you where I
lived, how I lived but they did it on
purpose in order to not record the kind of
food and the place, etcetera.
Youcef, Paranesti
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