ANNUAL POLICY REPORT 2012 During the reference year of this report legislative developments in the field of unaccompanied minors were introduced by the Law 4052/2012157 (which, inter alia, provides for the harmonization of Greek legislation with Directive 2009/52/EC of the European Parliament158 and of the Council of 18.6.2009 on the 'enforcement of minimum standards on sanctions and measures against employers of illegally residing third-country nationals" with the aim to combat illegal immigration). The law provides, in Article 88 paragraph 2, for criminal penalties for anyone who illegally employs minors who are nationals of third countries and even punishment with imprisonment of at least six (6) months. Also in accordance with Article 89 paragraph 1, an illegally employed unaccompanied minor is entitled to a residence permit on humanitarian grounds upon relevant request, in accordance with the other terms and conditions of Article 44 of n.3386/05, which regulates issuance and renewal of residence permits on humanitarian grounds, as amended by Article 42, paragraph 1, subparagraph e of Law 3907/11. In paragraph 3 of the same article it is further stated that the competent prosecuting authority shall take all necessary steps to determine the identity and nationality of the minor and the fact that they are unaccompanied. They shall also make every effort to the swiftest family tracing, take the necessary steps to ensure legal representation and, where necessary, represent them in criminal proceedings. The juvenile prosecutor and where there is no juvenile prosecutor, the competent Prosecutor, if he cannot find the family of a minor or if he believes that under the circumstances the repatriation does not serve the minors’ interest, he may order all appropriate measures to protect him/her until the ruling by the court, which must be addressed within thirty days, for the appointment of a guardian in accordance with the provisions of articles 1532, 1534 and 1592 of the Civil Code. The protection of unaccompanied minors is a priority for Greece given the vulnerability of this category. Therefore in 2012, the Ministry of Health, as the responsible authority of the European Refugee Fund, has funded the following programs related to unaccompanied minors: i. Hospital for Chronic Diseases "The Mother of God" Lesbos Operation of Hospitality Unit for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (495.700,50 €) Operation of structure for unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in Ayiassos of Lesvos, while providing supportive social services, psychological support, and services for the integration of minors in Greek society (eg education) 157 Gov. 41A LAW NO. 4052/201 statutory responsibilities of Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Labour and Social security for the implementation of the law "Approval of the draft financial assistance facility agreement between the European Financial Stability Fund (E.T.CH.S.), the Hellenic Republic and the Bank of Greece, the draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Hellenic Republic, the European Commission and the Bank of Greece and other urgent measures to reduce public debt and rescue the national economy "and other provisions. http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/pdfimageSummaryviewer.html?args=sppFfdN7IQP5_cc-m0e1wmmXNVEXA9uQo5UcBkVxwW8rzSZFxgk-fbyTuXZsV7kAYi3ORfmarYPUwzf4Ll1XkxcPQvNBMtY9T3IvMHxXpABIQE1JCW9FiNMrQQTEk_FKlm_8xYoyAXSUzFh4gzMeT5kt6Ei-fVZpSPwuuI3T3yKZHeTf1SQ.. 158 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:168:0024:0032:EL:PDF 59

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