Notes 1. For the purposes of this report we refer to the population of new arrivals using the terms migrants and irregular migrants interchangeably. We also refer to asylum seekers because among the new arrivals there are many who are fleeing conflict and persecution. 2. Calculation based on police statistics. 3. Between August 2009 and May 2010, MSF implemented psychosocial support projects in the detention centers of Pagani in Lesvos, Venna in Rodopi and Filakio in Evros, under a memorandum of understanding with the Ministries of Interior and Health. Psychosocial support provided, consisted of trust building and screening sessions, individual and group counseling sessions, play therapy sessions, and referrals of patients to psychiatric services. 4. Maroukis, T. (2008). Undocumented Migration: Counting the Uncountable. Data and Trends across Europe. Published by CLANDESTINO project, p. 51. 5. The numbers given are estimates of the influx of new arrivals as they include arrests of migrants both for irregular entry and stay. On the other hand, new arrivals might not always be apprehended and therefore recorded. (Police statistics, available at: http://www.astynomia.gr/images/ stories/2010/300110meta2.pdf). 6. Police statistics on irregular migrants’ arrests, by declared nationality. (Police statistics, available at: http:// www.astynomia.gr/images/stories/2010/300110meta30. pdf). 7. In 2009, out of 29,501 applications examined at first instance 11 people received refugee status, 26 humanitarian and 91 subsidiary protection status. Out of 870 applications examined at second instance 25 people received refugee status and 11 subsidiary protection status. (Police statistics, available at: http://www.astynomia.gr/images/ stories/2010/300110meta14.pdf). 8. Fortress Europe: L’ Osservatorio sulle Vittime dell’ Emigrazione, http://fortresseurope.blogspot.com/2006/02/ immigrants-dead-at-frontiers-of-europe_16.html. 9. These percentages are indicative. Patients, 305 in total, were not routinely asked about the reasons which forced them to leave their countries. 10. In these and subsequent quotations from the migrants and asylum seekers we spoke to, the dates and places of the 29 interviews have been withheld for reasons of confidentiality. 11. The deportation of many new arrivals is in practice not feasible. There are countries, such as Somalia which are not considered safe for returns. Moreover, Greece does not have bilateral return agreements with some countries of origin. Migrants who cannot be deported are then released and given a written order to leave the country within 30 days. 12. Articles 76 and 83 Migration Law 3386/2005: Entry, stay and social inclusion of third country nationals in Greek territory. 13. A third country national is any person not enjoying the Community right of free movement. The right of free movement is enjoyed by citizens of the 27 EU Members States together with those third countries which are Schengen Member States, or the EEC Member States (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland. 14. Article 76 of Migration Law 3386/2005: Entry, stay and social inclusion of third country nationals in Greek territory, amended by article 48 of Law 3772/09 which extended the period of detention from up to 3 to up to 12 months. 15. Ibid. 16. Article 31 of the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, adopted on 28 July 1951. 17. Article 13 of Presidential Decree 90/11.07.2008: Adjusting Greek legislation to the provisions of Directive 2005/85/EC of the Council of 1st December 2005 on minimum standards on procedures in member states for granting and withdrawing refugee status. 18. Article 81 of Migration Law 3386/2005: Entry, stay and social inclusion of third country nationals in Greek territory. 19. See for instance, Report to the Government of Greece on the visit to Greece carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 23 to 29 September 2008; as well as earlier CPT reports dated from 20 to 27 February 2007 and 27 August to 9 September 2005; Report on the detention facilities for irregular migrants in Rodopi and Evros, by Hellenic League for Human Rights, Thessaloniki, 11.12.2009.