As underlined by the Greek Ombudsperson’s in his 2024 report,1028 “most of these facilities are located outside urban areas, often in remote locations […]. This creates clear challenges in terms of access to goods and services, and foster a strong sense of isolation of residents from local communities”. The Ombudsperson further noted that: ❖ ‘Several facilities, including Schisto, Serres, Lagadikia, and Malakasa, are surrounded by high concrete fences, while in places like Diavata RIC and Lagadikia, the barriers are topped with barbed wire. Additionally, CCTV systems have been installed at the gates and around the perimeters of these facilities. In the Diavata RIC, cameras are also installed in public areas. Facilities such as Fylakio RIC, Malakasa, Chios, and the Samos CCAC centre are encircled by double fencing, ending in NATO-type barbed wire. In some facilities, barbed wire fences are used to separate accommodation cells from administrative and technical support buildings, as seen in Lagadikia and Serres.’ ❖ ‘All temporary accommodation structures, including the two RICs in mainland, are surrounded by high concrete fences.’ ❖ ‘Lastly, all facilities, whether already operational or still under construction, have large turnstile doors for the entry and exit of residents and employees. These are accompanied by magnetic gates, x-ray machines, and a two-factor access control system (ID and fingerprint) for personal belongings, residents, and employees. The Ombudsman staff found that at the Samos CCAC and Schisto centre, residents and workers pass through a magnetic gate, their personal belongings are scanned by x-ray, and they then pass through turnstile gates. They are further checked by electronic reading of a special card they carry (a blue card for workers, a red card for residents). This check is mandatory for all individuals upon entry and exit.’ ❖ ‘The appearance, particularly of the RIC and CCAC is more akin to a detention centre than to a reception and accommodation area for newly arrived residents’, reflecting similar concerns previously expressed by the EU Ombudsperson.1029 As mentioned in Save the Children & GCR’s report on children’s life in mainland camps, “many of these camps fall short of the reception standards defined by the European Union Agency for Asylum, which indicate that facilities should be within a reasonable walking distance of relevant services, ideally no more than 3 km to public services and 2 km to healthcare facilities and schools, with safe walking infrastructure (Indicator 1.2(b)).”1030 The “persisting challenges, particularly concerning the remote location [of camps] which hampers accessibility of vital services, such as health care and psychological support, as well as access to employment opportunities and interaction with local communities – essential for integration” were also flagged in February 2024 by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, during a two-day visit to Greece.1031 2.2. Conditions on the Eastern Aegean islands The situation on the islands has been widely documented and has remained alarming throughout the years, with increased arrivals in the second half of 2023 marking a return to conditions of overcrowding observed in previous years and an accentuation of ongoing challenges. Between January and December 2024, a total of 36,461 persons were transferred to the mainland from the CCACs of Lesvos (2,897), Samos (8,417 ), Chios (4,563), Kos (9,627), Leros (6,723) or from other islands (4,234).1032 Despite these increased efforts, by the end of the year, the facilities of Lesvos, Samos and Chios were still operating close to capacity (Lesvos) or beyond it (Samos and Chios). 1033 1028 1029 1030 1031 1032 1033 Greek Ombudsperson, "The Challenge of Migratory Flows and Refugee Protection - Reception Conditions and Procedures", 26 April 2024, available at: https://tinyurl.com/3s9yfxue, 25 and 41. EU Ombudsperson, 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, available here. GCR and SCI, “It Does Not Feel Like Real Life”: Children’s Everyday Life in Greek Refugee Camps, December 2024, p. 17, available here. UNHCR, UN High Commissioner for Refugees wraps up visit to Greece: welcomes progress on integration and urges continued efforts, 22 February 2024, available at: https://tinyurl.com/bdepjsbh. MoMA, Statistics, Consolidated Reports - Overview: December 2024 - International Protection | Appendix A, available at: https://tinyurl.com/yvd7454p, table 2. National Coordination Centre for border Control, Immigration and Asylum, National Situational Picture regarding the Islands at Eastern Aegean Sea (31/12/2024), 2 January 2025, available at: https://migration.gov.gr/en/statistika/. 194