stent concerns raised since 1997, significant structural issues have not been
addressed in immigration detention centres in Greece, resulting in prison-like
structures with dysfunctional facilities, a critical lack of healthcare services and
appalling hygiene conditions. Three years on, this report seeks to provide an
overview of the collective experiences of people on the move in detention during
2023, highlighting that despite the recommendations made by the CPT, these
conditions persist. The testimonies drawn on in this report document the
continued presence of minors in detention facilities within Greece, as well as other
highly concerning and illegal practices.
The collection of data on internal violence for this report was conducted through
a consortium of field reporters who are part of the BVMN. To ensure accuracy and
consistency, interview templates, training and guidelines are provided to
reporters. Interviews are semi-structured through standardised, open-ended
questions that allow respondents to share their experiences freely, as well as to
capture details that generate verifiable data. Reports are collected in person with
interpreters, in centres which provide services for people on the move. BVMN also
collects testimonies over the phone with respondents who are not able to attend
centres where our reporters are present. This aims to capture a wider
demographic and include respondents who are located across Greece. 31
testimonies were collected between March-June 2023 from individuals detained
in closed camps, police stations, criminal prisons and PRDCs. All respondents are
kept anonymous and BVMN does not retain any identifying information from
respondents. Informed consent is obtained prior to interviews, on the prior
understanding that providing a testimony will not aid the individual's case.
This report covers violence reported in the following detention facilities in
Greece:
Police stations - People on the move are frequently detained for arbitrary lengths
of time in police stations across the Greek mainland, frequently prior to their
transfer to a Pre-Removal Detention Centre (PRDC) for a further period of
detention. Police stations are designed for short periods of detention only and
detained persons face overcrowded, cramped and unhygienic conditions.
Closed Control Access Centre (CCAC) - CCACs are designated to identify,
process and accommodate recently arrived asylum seekers in Greece. Upon
arrival, people are detained for up to 25 days for registration. CCACs have a
prison-like structure and asylum seekers held there are subjected to heightened
surveillance and restrictions on their movement. All five current CCACs are
located on the five hotspot islands of Greece (Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Leros and
Kos).
Reception and Identification Centre (RIC) - The RICs located in Malakasa
(Athens), Diavata (Thessaloniki) and Fylakio (Orestiada) are designated to
identify and register asylum seekers on the Greek mainland. People applying for
asylum for the first time must enter the RIC and stay there for up to 25 days,
during which time their movement is restricted to the camp.
5
Pre-Removal Detention Centre (PRDC) - People on the move including asylum
seekers may be administratively detained within one of six PRDCs on the Greek
mainland (Fylakio, Xanthi, Paranesti, Corinth, Amygdaleza and Petrou Ralli).
People who have received a deportation order are detained within PRDCs for
extended periods of time despite the extremely low number of actual
deportations carried out from Greece, while asylum seekers may be detained on
vaguely defined grounds of public order or national security.