tion with the increase of the flows from 2015, are the main reasons that the competent authorities failed to manage the incoming population. More specifically, it is worth noting that in implementation of Law 3907/2011 only one First Reception Center had been put into operation, at Fylakio, Orestiada (land border in the North-East of the country). Considering the fact that the increase of the entry flows already since the end of 2014 is encountered mainly in the Aegean islands, it is not hard to realise the magnitude of the problem regarding the insufficiency of appropriate procedures for the identification of vulnerable persons by the understaffed First Reception Teams or Mobile Units, as well as the inability to provide special care for these persons. A typical example is that of the First Reception Center in Moria, Lesvos, which opened in March 2015, with significant problems in its operation. On the other Aegean islands (Samos, Chios, Kos and Leros), which did not have a similar service in operation, from 2015 and until the establishment of the Reception and Identification Centers (RICs), in the first quarter of 2016, to which thousands of people arrived each day, the identification of vulnerable persons who required international protection was even more problematic. For instance, in June 2015, during an on-site inspection at a Pre-removal Center in Northern Greece (Drama), the Greek Ombudsman saw that they were holding among the adults a group of young people who had entered from Chios, but without having registered them as minors (as regards the issue of age verification see Chapter A.3). The Greek Ombudsman has ascertained significant omissions also in the procedure for the identification and protection of persons who are persecuted due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, despite the existence of an explicit obligation both by international and EU law. The case of a lesbian woman seeking asylum is indicative - the Ombudsman intervened towards the Asylum Service and the Hellenic Police, reminding them of the obligation to examine eligibility for refugee status in cases of LGBT applicants and at the same time stressing the need for the interview to be conducted in conditions that ensure secrecy and confidentiality.34 vulnerable persons with special reception needs also cases of victims of violence on grounds of gender, sexual orientation or gender identity in its observations to the draft law for the reception of applicants for international protection (Directive 2013/33/EU, recast 29.6.2013). In particular, it recommended to the Ministry of Migration Policy to take special care in the reception of applicants for international protection that have these characteristics with special reference to the law, since this need emerged from the investigation of relevant reports.35 Similar is the situation with other categories of persons that belong to vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, with significant shortcomings in all stages of the procedure from the identification of these persons to the lack of suitable reception conditions.36 According to the applicable legislative framework, there is an obligation to provide special care to vulnerable persons, at all stages of the procedure from their entry into the country, including the registration and review of the application for international protection. Also, it should be reported that even after the EU-Turkey statement, the provisions of Law 4375/2016 regarding the special procedures at the borders do not apply to those who belong to vulnerable groups, who are in principle exempted from readmission procedures. Specifically, in Article 60(4)(f) of Law 4375/2016, as amended and in force, it is stated that anyone falling under the provisions of Articles 8 to 11 of Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Dublin III Regulation) is exempted from the special procedures for the receipt and examination of international protection applications at the borders, including the persons belonging to vulnerable groups, according to Article 14(8) of Law 4375/2016. According to the applicable laws (Article 14(8) of Law 4375/2016), there is provision that the Director of the Center or the Unit, following a recommendation of the head of the medical and psychosocial support team, refers the persons belonging to vulnerable groups to the competent in each case social support or protection agency. A copy of the medical check and psychosocial support file is sent to the In order for LGBT persons seeking international protection to be met with the appropriate treatment and care, the Ombudsman noted the need to include in the definition of 35 Annual Report 2016, pg. 121 at https://www.synigoros.gr/resources/ ee2016-14-diakriseis.pdf 34 See relevant report No. Φ 212092/2016. 36 Human Rights Watch, Greece: Refugees with Disabilities Overlooked, Underserved, January 2017 Identify People with Disabilities; Ensure Access to Services. 21