FORGOTTEN Administratively detained irregular migrants and asylum seekers February 2002, No. 51564/99) the ECHR identified the availability of interpreters as one of the factors which affect the accessibility of an effective remedy. The rights of the third-country national to receive linguistic assistance should be granted by Member States in a way which provides the person concerned with a concrete and practical possibility to make use of it (“effet utile” of the provision)”38 ii. Findings Despite the relevant legislative provisions and the guidelines of the European Commission, from our discussion with the detainees, we found out that they ignore their exact legal status as well as the content of the documents handed to them by the police authorities since no interpretation services are provided in the detention centers we visited. Many detainees told us that they sign documents without knowing their content. i. Lack of free legal aid i. Legal Framework Apart from the provision of art. 28 par. 3 of Law 3907/2011, which –as already mentioned– states that “the competent authorities are obliged to offer information and any possible assistance to third country nationals who request legal councelling and representation”, par. 4 of the same article states that: “the necessary legal assistance and representation is provided upon request free of charge in accordance with the provisions of Law 3226/2004 (O.G. 24 A’) when, according to the judge’s opinion, the application to annul is not manifestly unacceptable or manifestly unfounded, by analogous application of article 15 paragraphs 3-5 of Directive 2005/85/EC, as transposed into Greek legislation by the presidential decree 114/2010 (O.G. 195 A’). This paragraph shall enter into force on 24/12/2011”. Moreover, according to article 46 par. 7 of Law 4375/2016, “detainees seeking international protection in the case of a challenging detention order are entitled to free legal assistance in accordance with the procedure laid down in the provisions of Law 3226/2004 (A’ 24), which shall apply accordingly”. 38 Ibid, page 72 63

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