479381
Testimony- Testimony collected by
- Border Violence Monitoring Network
- Date and location recorded
- 20th September 2023, Thessaloniki, Northern Greece
- Detention centre related
- Detention Centre Country
- Greece
- Duration of detention
- 1 - 2 months
- Nationality
- Syria
- Age
- 26
- Gender
- Male
- LGBTQI
- No answer
- Type of arrest
- Mass/sweep
- Why was the respondent detained?
- Unknown
- Detained before?
- Unknown
- Was the respondent informed of the duration of detention?
- No
- Did the respondent experience any violence?
- No
- Type of violence experienced
- Not Applicable
- Was the respondent forced to sign documents?
- Yes, in Greek
- Did the respondent have access to translation?
- Yes
- Did the respondent have access to medical aid?
- Unknown
- Did the respondent have access to NGOs?
- Unknown
- Did the respondent have access to legal support?
- Unknown
- Did the respondent apply for asylum?
- Unknown
- Appealed?
- Unknown
- Number detained in cell
- Unknown
- Number detainees sharing WC
- Unknown
- Hygiene rating
- Satisfactory
- Type of cell
- Unknown
- Had access to phone?
- Unknown
- Had access to WiFi?
- Unknown
- Ventilation
- Unknown
- Participated in hunger strike / protest?
- Unknown
- Had conflicts with other detainees?
- Unknown
- Meal quality
- Unknown
- Meal quantity
- Not sufficient
- Had access to water?
- Unknown
- Had access to outdoor space?
- Unknown
- Had access to educational resources?
- Unknown
- Had access to religious space?
- Unknown
- Had access to electricity?
- Unknown
- Had access to bed?
- Unknown
- Had access to laundry?
- Unknown
- Had access to toilet articles?
- Unknown
- Had access to mattress?
- Unknown
- Narrative
The respondent is a 26 year old man from Syria. He was initially detained in Rhodos island, where he spent two days with a group of 25 others including women. Subsequently he was transferred to Leros camp where he spent another 57 days. In Leros he was fingerprinted and he reportedly signed papers that were written in a language he could understand. He described the hygienic conditions and the security of the camp as satisfactory but he reported a shortage of food. Furthermore, he reported that many in the camp were facing mental distress due to the uncertainty of the length of their stay. “[The people in Leros] don’t know when they will get out, and no information is provided. This is playing a bit with their head.” The respondent explained that he was not able to exit Leros camp for the first 35 days of his detention there. After this he was reportedly able to leave the camp whenever he desired.