acts of violence are referred to a specialized unit, namely, one of the NGOs METADRASI, GCR or BABEL, in order to receive support and the necessary treatment of psychological and physical injuries 49 caused by the aforementioned acts. This referral should preferably take place before the interview on the examination on the substance of the asylum application. In practice, very few cases are dealt with properly and in accordance with the law. Currently, there are no public health structures specialised in working with or assisting torture survivors. In the case of unaccompanied children, the first screening and registration usually takes place at the 50 borders, by the police. In most cases, no interpreters are available. According to the law (Presidential Decree 114/2010, Articles 11 paragraph13 and 11 paragraph 14) if there are strong indications during the [eligibility] interview [at first instance] that the applicant has been submitted to torture, they shall be referred to a specialized medical centre, or a doctor or a psychologist of a public hospital, who shall make a report on existence or not of injuries, maltreatment or indications of torture. The above mentioned guarantee according to the law shall also apply during the examination of appeals and during any supplementary examination. Medical and psychosocial support for asylum seekers is also expressly provided for in the Greek Action Plan. In practice, however, such referrals take place at the Appeals Board if the members are not convinced about the tortures the victim had suffered, or if the torture survivor is in such psychological situation that they cannot give enough information to the Board. The Greek law foresees an identification and referral system based on Articles 17 and 20 of the Presidential Decree 220/2007 which transpose respectively Articles 17 and 20 of Council Directive 2003/9/EC laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers. Furthermore, Article 11paragraph 2 of Law 3907/ 2011 concerning screening centres states that: “the Head of the Centre of Unit shall, upon recommendation of the head of the medical screening and psychosocial support cell, refer persons belonging to vulnerable groups to the competent body of social support or protection. For the purposes of the present, vulnerable groups are: victims of torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence.” According to Article 11 paragraph 5 “In the cases mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3 above, the referral note to the competent authority shall be issued within fifteen days, at the latest, from the admission of the third-country national to first reception procedures. In exceptional circumstances, the period of admission to the verification and separation procedures may be extended, if reasoned, for another ten days maximum. If the delay in verification is due to wrongful or improper conduct of the person subjected to first reception procedures, this person shall be considered as refusing to cooperate for the preparation of his return and shall be transferred in view of his/her removal, deportation or return. Time limits and procedures of this article shall only apply in the context of the operation of the First Reception Centres.” The abovementioned law 3907/2011 cannot be applied yet, because there are no screening centres. In practice referrals are done by NGOs working in the field or in the few reception centers. In practice, torture survivors were referred in the past to the Medical Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture (MRCVT), when it used to work as an NGO on such issues. A decision by the Council of State 51 has recently reflected doubts concerning the probative value of medico-legal reports by MRCVT. Currently, torture survivors are referred to “Metadrasi”, an NGO providing inter alia legal-medical reports. However, these reports are also considered to lack probative value, pursuant to the abovementioned Council of State decision. Torture survivors are also referred to “Babel” for their rehabilitation. “Babel” implements a mental health programme financed by the Ministry of Public Health. Both Metadrasi and Babel offer their services only in Athens. 49 50 51 Article 20 PD 220/2007. UNHCR, France Terre d'Asile, Save the Children and PRAKSIS, Protection Children on the Move: Addressing protection needs through reception, counselling and referral and enhancing cooperation in Greece, Italy and France, July 2012. Council of State Decision No. 1482/2011. 32