If we asked for anything, like food, they never had it and they would yell at
us…it was so dirty. We didn’t have a way to bathe or shower, there was just
a washing basin where we could wash our hands or feet.33
Children described unsanitary conditions at Amygdaleza and Paranesti pre-removal
detention centers. Several children at Amygdaleza complained about bugs, mosquitos,
and blankets that were not washed.
Ill-treatment
Most of the children interviewed by Human Right Watch did not report abuse, and offered a
neutral or positive assessment of the behavior of police officers. However, four children
said they were subjected to abuse by police officers.
Sarfraz H., a 17-year-old boy from Pakistan said a police officer slapped him and
threatened him. Sarfraz said the officer came into his cell after Iranian men in a
neighboring cell complained about the noise coming from the children’s cell where Sarfraz
was detained:
He told me, ‘I will send you to the Iranians. They’re men and they’ll rape
you.’ He slapped me three times on the face…. I felt very sad. I am a
refugee, but this never would have happened to me in my home country.34
Adi S., a 17-year-old boy from Pakistan, said an officer scared and humiliated him in front
of other detainees:
We were just joking around in the cell. The police pulled me out, put me in
a chair, and handcuffed my hands behind my back…. He has all the
power. He could do anything to me. All of us, we’re each alone here. We
don’t have anyone.35
33 Human Rights Watch interview with Javed S., Filiates Police Station, Filiates, July 1, 2016.
34 Human Rights Watch interview with Sarfraz H., Paranesti pre-removal detention center, Drama, June 29, 2016.
35 Human Rights Watch interview with Adi S., Amygdaleza pre-removal detention center, Athens, July 2, 2016.
“WHY ARE YOU KEEPING ME HERE?”
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