Coping with a fundamental rights emergency – The situation of people crossing the Greek border in an irregular manner 3. The humanitarian crisis in Evros This chapter summarises the situation as found by the FRA in Evros. It touches upon the processing of persons who crossed the border in an irregular manner, the conditions of detention and the identification of vulnerable groups and persons with specific needs. FRA staff was allowed to visit the detention facilities. Living conditions there can only be described as inhuman. In a recent interview, the responsible Minister of Citizens’ Protection stated that he feels personally ashamed for the conditions for the detention of irregular migrants, adding, however, that possibilities [for improvement] are limited.21 Despite such open and unreserved agreement that such conditions constitute a flagrant violation of fundamental rights, little or nothing is done to improve them. On the basis of interviews with practically all relevant authorities and other stakeholders, it was established that there is a serious communication gap, on the one hand, between the centre (Athens) and the region (Evros), and, on the other hand, between different institutions in the Evros region. Communication and reporting lines are almost exclusively vertical within Ministries and the police. Efforts at horizontal coordination exist at the highest (Ministerial) level, but decisions cannot reach easily the operational level. Furthermore, horizontal communication between key institutions at local level in Evros, is weak and coordination at this level is non‐ existent. Crucial potential resources available at local level are not used. Many buildings in the region appear empty, while detention facilities are overcrowded. Medical needs in the detention facilities are acute, but no support has been requested from the Thrace University Medical School and the University Hospital of Alexandroupoli with hundreds of highly qualified medical doctors and students, for example, to set up voluntary schemes to visit detention facilities and provide basic medical care. Municipalities with key resources know of the dire humanitarian situation of the new arriving migrants, but were never asked to contribute. There is a lack of legal information and guidance; the School of Law in Komotini, however, was never asked to contribute, for example, by setting up a legal clinic based on volunteer schemes. 21 Interview of 5 January 2011 to ‘Epikaira’, available (in Greek) at: www.epikaira.gr/epikairo.php?id=8276&category_id=0. [“Πράγματι, οι συνθήκες στις οποίες κρατούνται οι παράνομοι μετανάστες δεν μας τιμούν ως χώρα. Προσωπικά, αισθάνομαι ντροπή. Δυστυχώς, οι δυνατότητές μας είναι περιορισμένες.”] 18