According to the MoMA the Unit of Medical Screening and Psychological Support is responsible
for carrying out medical checks within the RICs and employs personnel from the Greek national
public health organisation (ΕΟΔΥ) to carry out these assessments.
Our research indicates that assessment of vulnerability within the screening procedure is
inadequate for a number of reasons. Overall, 71% of respondents who underwent screening in a
RIC without being represented by a lawyer said that they were not asked during the screening
process if they had a vulnerability, indicating that at a minimum people undergoing the
procedure do not understand if they are asked about vulnerabilities, do not feel able to disclose
information relating to sensitive and personal issues (e.g. past experiences of torture or sexual
violence), and/or these questions may be skipped or not properly delivered. 100% of people who
had a recognised vulnerability and underwent screening without being represented by a lawyer,
reported that they did not feel adequately informed of their right to specialised support during
the procedure. A respondent reported that he did not feel comfortable mentioning his
vulnerability to staff working at Malakasa RIC during his two-week detention at the facility,
despite suffering from severe PTSD following previous experiences of detention and being a
survivor of torture.
“I couldn’t communicate with any person [at Malakasa RIC] because I was scared and the space
was small. I don’t like small spaces with a lot of people because it reminds me of the detention
centres back home… I didn’t understand anything and I didn’t have anybody to ask. [...] My
feeling was confusion, because I had expectations like when I get to this place I will have my
freedom. The first steps I took in this country put me in prison.”
Male respondent from Sudan, 35 years
Concerns about assessments being rushed, incomplete and not carried out by staff with the
requisite capacity and training to assess vulnerability, were highlighted in interviews with Greek
lawyers. Lawyers further highlighted that less visible vulnerabilities - including mental health
related vulnerabilities - are more likely to go undetected due to lack of proactivity and expertise
within the current screening process.
(D) Lack of access to information and legal support within RICs
As per Greek law (Art. 39, 4939/2022) applicants undergoing reception and identification
procedures should be informed, in a language they understand or can be reasonably expected to
understand and in an accessible manner, of their rights and obligations during the reception and
identification phase, including in relation to the asylum procedure and the internal rules and
operations of the RIC. The provision of this basic information constitutes the first phase of
reception and identification as outlined in the law. As designated in Article 44(g), the authorities
must additionally ensure that persons undergoing reception and identification procedures are
able to maintain contact with CSOs which may provide legal or social assistance to them.
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