The Silent Humanitarian Crisis in Greece: Devising Strategies to Improve the Situation of Migrants in Greece workshop report … Following the announcement in August 2012 38 by the Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection to establish a special police department to address racially motivated offences, the Racist Violence Recording Network provided some key guidelines which must be included in such an initiative if it is to be fair, strong and effective: • clear legislative framework on staffing and responsibility of the competent agencies in order to ensure the protection of all victims of crimes without discrimination and regardless of their residence status • a new procedure outlining the process to be followed when a victim files a complaint of racist violence in these special departments including safeguards for undocumented migrants workshop input Racist Violence and Police Impunity Ahmed Moawia, Greek Forum of Migrants Amnesty International has had long-standing concerns regarding the increasing incidents of violence perpetrated by law enforcement authorities against third country nationals including ill-treatment during arrests and/or detention and persistent impunity with regards to such crimes. Many allegations included torture and other forms of ill-treatment especially concerning those held for immigration purposes with many migrants reporting that the ill treatment occurred after requesting medical attention, access to a phone or to a complaint procedure regarding the length of the detention period and conditions. One of the earliest recorded serious incidents of armed racist violence occurred in October 1999 when P. Kazakos 39 walked around for a period of four days shooting immigrants. Systematic attacks against immigrants began in earnest after the elections of 2004, when the far-right LAOS party entered the European Parliament for the first time, and climaxed during the 2009 European elections. After the elections in 2012, violent attacks against individuals from members of the far-right Golden Dawn party became a daily occurrence. The Golden Dawn initially stated that they were targeting irregular migrants, but eventually targeted all immigrants in key places including shops, business offices, etc. belonging to them. Ill-treatment in detention In May 2011, the Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection had taken into consideration the recommendations made by Amnesty International and implemented them by creating a form to permit the reporting of ill treatment and poor detention conditions by those in detention. The form was made available in sixteen languages. However, it appears from the information received from detainees that many did not receive this form and in some cases the forms were only exhibited on notice boards and so as located outside the cell areas, were not accessible by detainees. Whilst investigating detention centres in the Evros and Korinthia regions, Amnesty International noted there were still allegations of ill treatment and poor detention conditions as well as limited or no access to information on rights. The main problem is not to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice but the first issue is for victims to be able to file a complaint, which has become almost impossible because of the implication of the police. It is neither the role of NGOs or the Ministry of Public Order to monitor and record incidents: there should be an alternative monitoring body. It has been suggested that the initial process be taken away from the Ministry of Public Order (including the police) and given to the Greek Ombudsman, who is currently the competent authority for the law against discrimination. This suggestion would mean an expansion of its existing activities. Third-country nationals, who are in immigration detention, must be protected by specific safeguards that ensure their treatment is in compliance with international human rights norms. Whilst in detention, detainees have the right to be informed of charges against them, to receive medical and legal aid, and to access the outside world to the extent that they can be visited by, and keep in contact with, family members. Challenging the culture of impunity In case of violations, those responsible must be brought to justice as law enforcement officials are not above the law but are subject to it and victims must have access to effective redress processes to obtain reparation. The escalation of violence against migrants in Greece, including racially motivated attacks, requires an urgent response that so far has not been taken. Impunity for such attacks either from law enforcement agents or others perpetrators is a big part of the problem which will leave many victims of violence in a fearful silence. 38 18 Digitial Journal, Greece to establish police department to deal with racist violence, 23 August 2012 39 Athens News, Racist gunman pleads insanity again, 8 November 2002 19