exchanges between the government and the European Commission in 2023. 77 No call had been announced or launched by the time of writing, however. 44. Accordingly, camps managed by the RIS are the sole form of accommodation offered by Greece to asylum seekers. This is confirmed by official statistics cited in para 11 of the Updated Action Plan, corresponding to the total number of persons hosted in the country’s reception system. 45. As highlighted in previous submissions to the Committee, the Greek government has made the financial allowance granted to asylum seekers conditional upon residence in one of the above camps. Persons outside the country’s camp system are therefore ineligible for financial support throughout their asylum process.78 Living conditions in camps 46. The RIS manages the following camps: (i) 3 Reception and Identification Centres (Κέντρα Υποδοχής και Ταυτοποίησης, RIC) in Fylakio, Malakasa and Diavata; (ii) 5 Closed Controlled Access Centres (Κλειστές Ελεγχόμενες Δομές, CCAC) in Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Leros and Kos; and (iii) 25 Controlled Access Temporary Reception Facilities for asylum seekers (Ελεγχόμενες Δομές Προσωρινής Φιλοξενίας αιτούντων άσυλο), including Ritsona, Schisto, Thiva, Corinth, Thermopyles, Katsikas, Alexandria, and Lagadikia.79 47. The European Ombudsman has recently expressed concerns about infrastructure and surveillance applied in the EU-funded CCAC operating on the islands: “In addition to the external barbed wire fencing, extensive surveillance systems are used as well. The external fencing and surveillance infrastructure do not create a physical environment conducive to wellbeing and are, rather, reminiscent of detention facilities. The external and internal fences may also have negative health (including mental health) consequences on vulnerable migrants and those who have fled difficult circumstances. It is questionable how respect for human dignity and protection of the best interests of the child and of vulnerable individuals can be ensured if residents are forced to stay in such an environment.”80 48. Isolation and lack of transportation arrangements: In addition, “all structures are located outside urban fabric and/or in remote areas, where access is very difficult, contributing to their further isolation”.81 Following the phasing out of site management support formerly provided by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in mainland camps, no transportation services are provided to asylum seekers, even for required hours-long travel to attend asylum interviews.82 No new arrangements for transportation services were known to have been concluded by April 2023.83 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 European Commission, TF (Task Force) – GR (Greece) Coordination Meeting Operational Conclusions, Ares(2022)2924004, 14 March 2023. DH-DD(2021)521, para 34. Articles 33-34 PD 106/2020, Gov. Gazette A’ 255/23.12.2020, as last amended by PD 20/2023, Gov. Gazette A’ 43/24.02.2023. European Ombudsman, Decision in strategic inquiry OI/3/2022/MHZ on how the European Commission ensures respect for fundamental rights in EU-funded migration management facilities in Greece, 7 June 2023, para 48, available at: https://shorturl.at/swCV8. RSA, ‘What is happening today in the refugee structures on the Aegean islands’, 3 May 2023, available at: https://rb.gy/mxcp2. RSA, ‘Refugee women in the offside: Greece encampment policy and services takeover lead to isolation and deny protection’, 21 March 2023, available at: https://tinyurl.com/3dej5j3w. European Commission, Conclusions of the Meeting with Sec Gen Logothetis – 07.04.2023, Ares(2023)2923660, 10 April 2023. 15 RSA COMMENTS│ 2023