Methodology
This report is based on Human Rights Watch research conducted in mainland Greece in
late June and early July 2016. Two researchers conducted 42 interviews with child migrants
and asylum seekers ages 14 to 17 from Pakistan, Syria, Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Guinea
and Egypt. Human Rights Watch did not encounter any girls in police custody and all
interviews were conducted with males. Human Rights Watch interviewed 43 individuals
and considers 42 out of the 43 to be children, either because they are registered as such
by Greek authorities (35) or because they declared themselves to be children (7), per UN
guidance and Greek law. Thirty-five interviewees were in police custody, while eight were
in NGO-run facilities.
We conducted interviews in two police stations, the Mygdonia Border Guard Station in
Thessaloniki and the Filiates Police Station in Igoumenitsa, in two pre-removal detention
centers, Amygdaleza in the Attica region and Paranesti in Drama, at a safe space for
children at the Diavata refugee camp in Thessaloniki, and at an NGO-run shelter for
unaccompanied children in the Attica region. All interviews were conducted individually
and in private.
Human Rights Watch staff conducted interviews in English and French with individuals
able to express themselves in English or French, as well as in the native language of the
interviewees through the help of Arabic, Urdu, and Dari interpreters. Interpreters were paid
for their services. All interviewees were informed of the purpose of the interview and that
their testimony might be used publicly. In all cases, Human Rights Watch told interviewees
they would receive no personal service or benefit for their testimonies and that the
interviews were completely voluntary and anonymous. Names of all children interviewed
have been replaced by pseudonyms to protect their identity.
Human Rights Watch also interviewed staff from Greek and international NGOs, the
UNHCR, the Greek National Center for Social Solidarity, the Deputy Ombudsman for
Children’s Rights, and Hellenic Police officers. On July 26, Human Rights Watch submitted
detailed letters to the Hellenic Police, the Migration Ministry, the Ministry of Labor, and the
Ministry of Justice. The letters shared select findings and included specific questions for
the government. The Ministry of Justice responded in part on July 28, and the Hellenic
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HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | SEPTEMBER 2016