»The truth may be bitter, but it must be told« Table of Contents 4 Introduction 6 Summary, conclusions and demands 1. The practices of the Greek coast guard: systematic human rights violations 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 12 15 The experiences of refugees: maltreatment and denial of access to the territory Lesbos: Abandoned Lesbos: Two attempts Lesbos: Five attempts Samos: Broken ribs Samos: Beaten up Chios: Torture during interrogation Lesbos: Return of a minor to Turkey The structure and mandate of the Greek coast guard The dead refugees of Mitilini 2. Evros Region: refoulement at the land border 17 Ms. Z.: Illegal expulsion and subsequent detention 3. Deportation orders, detention and detention conditions 19 19 20 21 21 22 24 25 26 Law and practice The detention of minors Problems highlighted in the detention centres on Chios, Samos und Lesbos Inhumane detention conditions Mersinidi: Detention centre on Chios Samos: Detention centre Samos-City Lesbos: Detention centre Pagani-Mitilini Minors in Mitilini The readmission protocol between Turkey and Greece 28 4. Patras – Gateway to Western Europe? Digression: Notes on the asylum system in Greece 30 30 31 Applications submitted and granted Asylum procedure Reception and procedure in cases of unaccompanied minors 33 Annex: Excerpts from interviews 37 Appendix: Results of the journey from 4 - 8 October 2007 39 List of abbreviations Table of Contents 3