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On the basis of financing from the 2013 Annual Programme of the European Return Fund (ERF),
free legal aid and interpreting were provided until 30.06.2015 to foreign nationals detained at PreDeparture Detention Centres for Foreign Nationals (PROKEKA) in the context of the
administrative procedure for their return to their country of origin and, to this end, memoranda of
cooperation and assignment-subsidy agreements were signed with the Athens Bar Association and
the Bar Associations of the regions where Detention Centres for Foreign Nationals were located.
In this context, our plans for the implementation of the National Programme in the field of Internal
Affairs 2014-2020 (Multiyear AMIF Fund) comprise an action for free legal aid to foreign nationals
detained at Pre-Departure Detention Centres for Foreign Nationals (PROKEKA) in the context of
the administrative procedure for their return to their country of origin and, to this end, significant
efforts are made to initiate as soon as possible the required tender procedures of the State and meet
the needs using European funds, since national funds are hard to find in the current financial
situation of our country.
In addition, nominated representatives of the Greek Council for Refugees (ESP) have daily access
to detention facilities and communication with irregular migrants for the provision of legal aid, in
order to ensure the access of detainees to the asylum procedure and enable their representation
during the review of their request.
It is noted that the same is true for representatives of other entities involved in migration, such the
UN High Commission and other NGOs.
Paragraph 71: Recommendation to the Greek authorities to ensure the right of access to a doctor
Foreign nationals arrested on our territory are preventively examined by doctors at the seats of the
arrest agencies; when there are health problems, these agencies procure their immediate transfer for
the provision of first aid to the closest health centre or hospital and, then, if they need to be
hospitalized, to university hospitals.
Moreover, NGOs contribute significantly to the provision of medical services to illegal migrants
and they have regular access to detention facilities for foreign nationals.
The competent healthcare agencies have issued instructions to all agencies of the Hellenic Police
concerning hygiene, which meet the requirements of the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and
Prevention (KEELPNO) of the Ministry of Health, while updated instructions have been issued
recently.
Moreover, systematic seminars and informative lectures are given by specialized healthcare
personnel with an aim to provide full information to police staff, especially those involved in
guarding foreign detainees.
In this context, our plans for the implementation of the National Programme in the field of Internal
Affairs 2014-2020 (Multiyear AMIF Fund) comprise advanced consultations with the Ministry of
Health and the European and Development Programmes Management Agency (YDEAP) (as
Management Authority) in order to assign the medical-pharmaceutical care, the psychological and
social support and the provision of interpreting services to foreign nationals detained at PreDeparture Detention Centres for Foreign Nationals (PROKEKA) to the Ministry of Health/ Health
Units Societe Anonyme (AEMY SA).
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