In particular, aliens administrative detainees are entitled to visits of their relatives in the
second degree by blood or marriage. In the absence of the above persons, they may accept
the visit of another relative or friend, whom they themselves declare in advance to the
prison guard.
The communication of the visitors with the aliens administrative detainees takes place in
the specially designed areas of a visiting room, which are designed to meet the stipulated
terms and conditions of security, while at the same time the detainee’s comfortable
communication with the visitor is allowed. The days and hours of the visit are determined
by order of the wardens of the detention facilities.
The right to legal aid has been institutionalised at every stage of criminal and
administrative proceedings, in accordance with the provisions of national law.
Every alien detainee is entitled to the visit of their lawyer. The duration of communication
between the lawyer and the alien detainee s/he represents shall not be subject to any time
constraints other than those imposed to comply with the security measures and the rules on
the proper functioning of the detention facilities.
Especially for aliens, the competent authorities for issuing return decisions are obliged to
provide and they do provide information and assistance to the alien who requests legal
advice, representation by a lawyer and language assistance, in order to exercise her/his
rights. For this reason, an “Information Bulletin” is served in languages used and
understood by third-country nationals.
In addition to the above, representatives of the Greek Council for Refugees (E.S.P.) have
daily access to detention areas and communicate with illegal immigrants, aiming at
providing legal assistance and representation to those who wish, in the asylum process. It is
noted that this is also the case with representatives of other institutions dealing with
immigration and human rights, such as the UNHCR, the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC), as well as other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Specifically, during the year 2019 our Service (MMD) granted (260) permissions for access
– entry to administrative detention places for aliens , to International and European
monitoring mechanisms, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), Associations and
Bodies (some of the authorisations relate to multiple visits), while for the 9-month period
of this year (2020) the number of the respective licenses is (184).
Aliens arrested at the border and remaining territory of our country are examined
preventively by doctors, and in cases where there are health problems, with the care of
local services, they are transported directly for first aid to the nearest Health Centre or
hospital and then, if necessary, hospitalised in an appropriate hospital.
In addition, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), contribute to the provision of
medical services to illegal immigrants, which have regular access to the administrative
detention areas of aliens.
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