»The truth may be bitter, but it must be told« Lesbos: entrance to the detention centre Minors in Mitilini More than 30 minors from Afghanistan were in detention at the time of our visit. The youngest had just turned ten years of age. These children and adolescents were not separated from the adults. They reported maltreatment by the coast guard and diversion at sea. One group of these minors reported that they were simply abandoned by the Greek coast guard on an uninhabited Turkish island, without food or water. The Afghan minors were released in two goes on the day of our visit Friday 20 July 2007 and on the following day Saturday 21 July 2007. Upon their release, care had to be arranged for them, outside the centre. The first group were forced to spend the night in the port of Mitilini, because there was no cheap transport to Athens. They received no information about applying for asylum, shelter or other information necessary to meet their basic needs. On their release documents (an information paper in Greek advising them to leave the country within 30 days – attached was a removal order) the minors were arbitrarily assigned to one of the adult Afghans with the comments »brother« or »cousin«, and their picture attached. One individual who was clearly underage was simply declared as adult, without any supporting evidence. Our delegation informed the children of their rights in Europe and in Greece, and referred them to an organisation which works for children’s rights and the reception of asylum seeking children. Through Detention centre Lesbos: At the time of our visit one functioning toilet was provided for 50 detainees. Lesbos: bedroom in the detention centre Deportation orders, detention and detention conditions 25