hand, the RIS consistently issues referrals of the individuals concerned to the competent authorities (i.e., the Asylum Service and Hellenic Police) stating that the reception and identification procedure has been completed without a finding of vulnerability. On the other hand, the exact date of the medical check and vulnerability assessment is not marked in the case file of the person. The Foreigner’s Medical Card (Κάρτα Υγείας Αλλοδαπού) issued on the day the reception and identification procedure takes place automatically carries that same date. The card may be amended following an assessment, in which case a re-issuance date is indicated. However, this is not necessarily the date on which the vulnerability assessment takes place. This means that asylum seekers are referred to the Asylum Service with a Medical Card which in most cases precedes the actual medical check and vulnerability assessment.”602 Based on GCR’s information from the field, in 2023, the main problems arising out of the Reception and Identification procedures continue and include the lack or complete absence of psychosocial assessment, the difficulties in carrying out referrals from RIS to public hospitals, the low quality of the medical screening and psycho-social support, the classification of vulnerability and non-vulnerability and the lack of information on the outcome of the procedure.603 As mentioned in the Regular procedure and Fast-track border procedure, many asylum seekers continue being forced to attend their personal interview with the Asylum Service without a prior assessment of their vulnerability, including pregnant women. The number of healthcare professionals involved in the provision of medical and psychosocial services at the different Reception and Identification Centres in the border regions in 2023 is not available. Chios: In Chios CCAC (Vial camp), the Medical Unit has no doctor since March 2021. In 2023, periodically, the doctor of Leros CCAC Medical Unit was visiting Chios CCAC only to sign vulnerability assessment documents and medical cards, without carrying out a substantive assessment of the medical condition of the asylum applicants. Shortages of medicines and medical equipment (e.g., for blood pressure/diabetes) are observed in the Medical Unit of RIS (Vial). While a state budget is foreseen for intra-island transport costs, the Ministry does not make use of and all transportation to and from Chios General Hospital is covered by NGO Open Arms. Rub halls with single room and no beds (only mattresses on the floor) are used for the accommodation of nuclear families together with monoparental families and single men. RIS encounters problems with interpretation in the majority of languages; the only interpretation available is for arabic and somali604. Moreover, according to a report of RSA: “[…] The vulnerability evaluation procedure seems to be inadequate, as in an attempt to find a solution to the serious shortage of medical staff, nursing staff is called upon to fill the gap, by asking asylum seekers questions. Then, the relevant documents are signed by a doctor who visits the structure from Chios’ hospital or from a National Public Health Organisation Unit”605. Samos: On 30 November 2023, on case of D.S. v. Greece [Application no. 2080/2019], the ECtHR ruled that Greece violated article 3 and 13 of the ECHR for the living conditions of a young single woman refugee in the former camp of Samos and her lack of access to an effective remedy. The case was represented before the ECtHR by GCR. In particular, the Court rejected the Greek Government's arguments that the applicant had not been identified as a vulnerable person by the authorities and observed that the applicant's lawyer had informed the authorities of her fragile state and had requested, since the moment of her arrival, that she receives decent accommodation and psychological assistance.606 Regarding the living conditions and vulnerability assessment in Samos CCAC, twenty civil society organisations based in Samos in a joint statement dated 31 January 2024 stated: “Since the implementation of the CCAC, an automatic de facto detention regime has been put in place for newly 602 603 604 605 606 Ibid., p. 15. For a detailed description of the issues during the procedure of the vulnerability assessment, See ECRE, AIDA, Country Report: Greece, 2021 Update, May 2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3MRVkLf. Information shared by Chios UNCHR Field Office during GCR mission (January 2024). Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) / PRO ASYL, What is happening today in the refugee structures on the Aegean islands – Serious problems in the EU-funded structures, May 2023, pp. 46-47, available at: https://tinyurl.com/ycy45tjs. GCR, Press Release: European Court of Human Rights condemns Greece for the degrading living conditions of a young single woman refugee in Samos, 18 December 2023, available at: https://tinyurl.com/3rj6r2a3. 131