❖ ‘Lastly, all facilities, whether already operational or still under construction, have large turnstile doors for the entry and exit of residents and employees. These are accompanied by magnetic gates, x-ray machines, and a two-factor access control system (ID and fingerprint) for personal belongings, residents, and employees. The Ombudsman staff found that at the Samos CCAC and Schisto centre, residents and workers pass through a magnetic gate, their personal belongings are scanned by x-ray, and they then pass through turnstile gates. They are further checked by electronic reading of a special card they carry (a blue card for workers, a red card for residents). This check is mandatory for all individuals upon entry and exit.’ ❖ ‘The appearance, particularly of the RIC and CCAC is more akin to a detention centre than to a reception and accommodation area for newly arrived residents’, reflecting similar concerns previously expressed by the EU Ombudsperson.1014 As mentioned in Save the Children & GCR’s report on children’s life in mainland camps, “many of these camps fall short of the reception standards defined by the European Union Agency for Asylum, which indicate that facilities should be within a reasonable walking distance of relevant services, ideally no more than 3 km to public services and 2 km to healthcare facilities and schools, with safe walking infrastructure (Indicator 1.2(b)).”1015 The “persisting challenges, particularly concerning the remote location [of camps] which hampers accessibility of vital services, such as health care and psychological support, as well as access to employment opportunities and interaction with local communities – essential for integration” were also flagged in February 2024 by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, during a two-day visit to Greece.1016 2.2. Conditions on the Eastern Aegean islands The situation on the islands has been widely documented and has remained alarming throughout the years, with increased arrivals in the second half of 2023 marking a return to conditions of overcrowding observed in previous years and an accentuation of ongoing challenges. Between January and December 2025, a total of 15,822 persons were transferred to the mainland from the CCACs of Lesvos (1,227), Samos (4,632), Chios (3,092), Kos (2,930), Leros (3,548) or from other islands (393).1017 As a result of these efforts, by year’s end none of the island facilities displayed conditions of overcrowding, with the CCAC of Lesvos operating at close to 30% of its nominal capacity, the CCAC of Samos at 49%, the CCAC of Kos at 39%, the CCAC of Leros at 82%, and the CCAC of Chios at 70%.1018 Yet, despite a seemingly manageable situation on the ground, prevalent conditions in the island CCACs remained alarming, particularly for UAMs. Beyond physical shelter shortages during periods of increased arrivals, which forced people, including vulnerable cases, such as single mothers, to sleep on the floor in communal areas with unknown adults, the CCACs continued to operate as highly securitised, prison-like environments, defined by conditions of confinement, excessive surveillance, and significant recurring shortages of basic necessities. 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 EU Ombudsperson, Decision in strategic inquiry OI/3/2022/MHZ on how the European Commission ensures respect for fundamental rights in EU-funded migration management facilities in Greece, 7 June 2023, available here. GCR and SCI, “It Does Not Feel Like Real Life”: Children’s Everyday Life in Greek Refugee Camps, December 2024, p. 17, available here. UNHCR, UN High Commissioner for Refugees wraps up visit to Greece: welcomes progress on integration and urges continued efforts, 22 February 2024, available at: https://tinyurl.com/bdepjsbh. MoMA, Statistics: Consolidated Reports – Overview, December 2025 - International Protection | Appendix A, available at: https://migration.gov.gr/statistika/, Table 2. National Coordination Centre for border Control, Immigration and Asylum, National Situational Picture regarding the Islands at Eastern Aegean Sea (31/12/2025), 1 January 2026, available at: https://migration.gov.gr/en/statistika/. 212