33 applicants are entitled to free legal assistance “We were given no information in any kind of way under Art. 50(7) of the Asylum Code and Art. about reasons for detention.” 28(4) of Law 3907/2011. As Ramy explained, ii. Lack of information on remedies and on legal aid “I was given some papers, but I didn’t know what it Equal Rights has also observed that in their possession. I was told only that I would be information about legal service providers is transferred to Kos and will start my process from often shared by word-of-mouth among here. When I came here, I was told here that detained persons rather than from official everything was finished – over.” sources. Seven participants said that either another detained individual or a friend provided them with Equal Rights’ telephone number. For example, Kenan shared, “I got your [Equal Rights] contact from friends who were released, and now I’m contacting you through a friend’s number. I didn’t get any help from police,” while Naeem explained, “When arriving to detention, I asked for a lawyer, but the police showed, and the police kept them and they are still Consistent with the November 2021 report,79 three participants continued to report signing documents in Greek without having any translation provided. Farouq shared that “In Kos, I had to sign a detention order for six months, but the order was only in Greek...there was no interpreter, and I was asked to sign the document.” said they didn’t know any, so I found a lawyer from Naeem had a similar experience where he one of my friends who is also detained.” shared, Not only are detained persons experiencing “I only saw the six-month detention order that I difficulties obtaining legal services, had to sign. However, the detention order was in participants continue to share that they often Greek, and the authorities did not provide an are uninformed or misinformed about their interpreter.” legal procedure, particularly as to the reasons Ramy did not sign a document in Greek but for their detention, a trend that is consistent noted that he could not read paperwork with the November 2021 report. In fact, every relating to his case because it was in Greek. He participant interviewed this year explained said, 78 that they were not informed for the reasons behind their detention. Jalal told Equal Rights, “I asked the police on Kos where I am here now, and they gave me the letter and told me I will stay “I didn’t get any kind of information, and every here for 6 months. It was written in Greek, and time I ask, I get no answer. I ask when I will be free, they didn’t explain it to me.” and they say the day after tomorrow or after two days. It’s been almost two months in detention, but every time I receive the same reply.” Ameen and Haidar also confirmed, 78 Detained and Forgotten, supra note 3, at 25-26. In addition to not receiving information regarding the reasons behind their detention, Equal Rights has observed through participants’ testimonies that various officials 79 Detained and Forgotten, supra note 3, at 28-33, 67. ‘Still detained and forgotten’ – Update on Detention Policies, Practices, and Conditions on Kos 2022/23