-4I. INTRODUCTION 1. Dates of the visit and composition of the delegation 1. In pursuance of Article 7 of the European Convention for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention"), a delegation of the CPT carried out a visit to Greece from 23 to 29 September 2008. The visit was one which appeared to the Committee “to be required in the circumstances” (cf. Article 7, paragraph 1, of the Convention). 2. The visit was carried out by the following members of the CPT: - Mario FELICE (Head of delegation) - Dan DERMENGIU - Pétur HAUKSSON (2nd Vice-President of the CPT) - George TUGUSHI. They were supported by Kristian BARTHOLIN and Marco LEIDEKKER of the CPT's Secretariat, and assisted by: - Eleonora GAMBAS (interpreter) - Maria LOUCA-HOUVARDA (interpreter) - Ionathan MARKEL (interpreter) - Alexander ZAPHIRIOU (interpreter). 2. Context of the visit 3. In its report on the August/ September 2005 visit, the CPT drew attention to the apparent absence of effective action when allegations of ill-treatment were brought to the attention of the authorities, and it expressed serious concerns over the persistent failure by the Greek authorities to tackle structural deficiencies in the establishments holding irregular migrants.