In separate, individual interviews, two other children confirmed the incident.36 Roda A., a 17-year-old Syrian boy, said an officer slapped him in the course of hurrying him to a doctor’s appointment: “I had just woken up. I didn't have time to wash my face, so I was walking sleepily and the police officer came and slapped me so hard it [temporarily] blinded me.”37 Hafiz J., a 17-year-old Syrian boy, said that he had been slapped by an officer at one police station, and kicked and punched by an officer at another police station.38 Twenty-one children said they were put in handcuffs when taken to a medical care facility for examinations. Kaiman T., 15, said the police officers at the Mygdonia station handcuffed him and three other boys together to transport them, and that the cuffs left bruises for several days.39 Under Greek Presidential Decree 141/1991, which defines the responsibilities of police officers, police are permitted to use handcuffs on a child in the course of a transfer only if the child is dangerous or suspected to escape.40 Even in the case of children subject to sanctions or other measures, as opposed to children in protective custody, Council of Europe guidelines state that handcuffs should only be used if essential as a precaution against violent behavior or escape during transfer, and should not be applied for any time longer than is strictly necessary.41 The Hellenic Police did not respond to our request for clarification on the use of handcuffs during transfers. 36 Human Rights Watch interviews with Misbah F. and Azhar A., Amygdaleza pre-removal detention center, Athens, July 2, 2016. 37 Human Rights Watch interview with Roda A., Paranesti pre-removal detention center, Drama, June 29, 2016. 38 Human Rights Watch interview with Hafiz J., shelter for unaccompanied children, Athens, July 6, 2016. 39 Human Rights Watch interview with Kaiman T., June 28, 2016. 40 Presidential Decree 141/1991 (A-58/1991), on the “Competencies and internal actions of the staff of the Ministry of Public Order, and Organization of Services,” April 30, 1991, art. 97, para. 1. 41 Council of Europe, “Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the European Rules for juvenile offenders subject to sanctions or measures,” CM/Rec(2008)11, available at https://search.coe.int/cm/Pages/result_details.aspx?ObjectID=09000016805d2716 (accessed August 4, 2016). 19 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | SEPTEMBER 2016