- 15 The CPT calls upon the Greek authorities to take the necessary steps to implement the
specific measures enumerated in the immediate observations as regards Filakio Special
holding facility (see paragraph 9). In particular, it wishes to receive detailed information on
the actions being taken to ensure that families with young children and unaccompanied
minors are accommodated in special centres capable of catering to their specific needs.
27.
At the time of the delegation’s visit a number of facilities for holding irregular migrants,
particularly on the islands in the eastern Aegean, were not in use. The CPT would like to be
informed of the reasons why it was not possible to transfer some of the persons detained in the
above-mentioned facilities in the Evros region to special holding centres in other parts of the
country.
28.
The CPT’s delegation noted at both the Soufli and Filakio facilities that the belongings of
irregular migrants were thrown on the ground or onto the trailer of a truck where they were left
exposed to the elements (rain, snow); many items had been ruined. No efforts were made at either
facility to record the possessions of the irregular migrants or to keep them in a safe place. As
already indicated, nor were the detained persons able to access their belongings to obtain a change
of clothes. Further, irregular migrants were not provided with any receipt for their possessions, even
as regards valuables such as money, jewellery or wrist watches.
The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities permit irregular migrants to have
access to a change of clothes. Further, the authorities should put in place a clear system for
recording the belongings of all detained irregular migrants and should give them a receipt for
all items which they must hand in before entering the detention areas.
29.
Neo Himonio Police and Border Guard Station, just south of the town of Orestiada, is used
to accommodate persons brought in by the FRONTEX RABIT13 patrols, usually for only one night
before they are transferred to the Filakio Special holding facility. The conditions in the largest of
three cells were appalling – dirty, malodorous, with a blocked toilet and sink. The night before the
delegation’s visit, 22 men and women had slept on the floor and, without the cell being cleaned, the
delegation observed six newly arrived irregular migrants being placed in this cell, for the following
night.
30.
As regards Alexandroupolis Police Station, the conditions of detention have not improved
since previous visits in 2008 and 2009. At the time of the visit, eight persons were being kept in the
detention area which consisted of two small cells (measuring respectively 6m² and 8.5m²), a
corridor (5m²) and a toilet. None of the cells had access to natural light and neither the larger cell
nor the toilet had artificial lighting; ventilation was poor and the place was dirty. Two persons had
been formally remanded to Komotini Prison but due to lack of space in the prison were being kept
in the police station; one person had been held in these conditions since 7 December 2010.
13
FRONTEX is the European Agency for the management of operational cooperation between Member States in
the field of border security. On 2 November 2010, the first ever deployment of a Rapid Border Intervention
Team (RABIT) under the coordination of FRONTEX occurred in the Evros region of Greece to strengthen
external border security and prevent undocumented immigration. The RABIT operates under the authority of
the Greek police.
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