delivered to the individual recognised as a beneficiary of international protection, a special legitimate interest (ειδικό έννομο συμφέρον) must be proven.349 Duration of procedures The extent to which delays in the procedure observed in the previous years are still pertinent in 2024 is not possible to assess, as data on the duration of the procedure at first instance has not been provided by the MoMA, even though GCR has requested it. Instead, following the latest such request sent by GCR in December 2024, the MoMA replied by referring GCR to the Ministry’s website ‘and in particular at the link https://migration.gov.gr/statistika/ [where] the monthly newsletters are published, alongside relevant annexes, which include summary and detailed statistical data on the work of the First Reception Service, the Asylum Service and the Appeals Authority […]’. That being said, ongoing delays of months and in some cases of even more than a year in the conduct of asylum interviews on account of gaps in the provision of interpretations services were reported in Malakasa RIC and Ritsona camp as well as most Regional Asylum Offices and Asylum Units in mainland Greece in 2024. The same gaps also impacted on applicants’ ability to communicate their needs with the camp’s and the asylum service’s staff.350 1.2. Prioritised examination and fast-track processing The Asylum Code sets out two forms of prioritised examination of asylum applications. Firstly, the Asylum Service shall process “by way of absolute priority”, claims concerning: (a) Applicants undergoing reception and identification procedures who do not comply with an order to be transferred to another reception facility, if their non-compliance hinders the smooth completion of the examination procedure;351 (b) Applicants who are detained.352 In accordance with Articles 46(c) and 50(8) Asylum Code, processing by way of “absolute priority” means the examination procedure needs to be concluded within 20 days, albeit Articles 42(γα) and 88(7) Asylum Code, both of which cite the preceding articles, mention a 15-day deadline for the same purpose, highlighting an inconsistency in the law. Secondly, the law provides that an application may be registered and examined by way of priority for persons who:353 (a) Belong to vulnerable groups, insofar as they are under a “restriction of liberty” measure in the context of Reception and Identification procedures; (b) Fall under the scope of the Border Procedure; (c) Are likely to fall within the Dublin Procedure; (d) Have cases which may be considered as manifestly unfounded; (e) Represent a threat to national security or public order; or (f) File a Subsequent Application; (g) Come from a First Country of Asylum or a Safe Third Country; (h) Have cases reasonably believed to be well-founded. From 2014 up until the first half of 2021, Syrians and stateless persons were eligible to a fast-track procedure examining their cases and often resulting in the granting of refugee status. This also applied to those who formerly resided in Syria who could provide original documents such as passports, or who had been identified as Syrians/persons with a former residence in Syria within the scope of the Reception and Identification Procedure, provided that the EU-Türkiye Statement and the fast-track border procedure did not apply in their cases.354 The specific fast-track procedure (examination in the merits) is still applicable to this day, though admissibility proceedings may precede it. 349 350 351 352 353 354 Article 74(6) Asylum Code. RSA, Huge deficiencies in the provision of interpretation services in Greece, Asylum interviews are no longer even being conducted, 5 November 2024, available here. See also: Civil Society Organizations Open Letter to the Minister of Migration and Asylum and the Minister of Health, Put an end to the disruption of interpretation services still undermining asylum seekers’ rights in Greece, 1 November 2024, available here. Article 46(c) Asylum Code Article 50 (8) Asylum Code. Articles 38(2) and 88(7) Asylum Code. Information provided by the Asylum Service, 31 March 2021. 75