The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, calls for clarification on the new migration measures announced by Greece on 20 November.
These measures respond to the dramatic situation of migrants and asylum seekers stranded in the Aegean islands and consist of a two-stage plan (see EUROPE 12378/7). The first will be to transfer 20,000 people to the continent. The second plans to close the reception and identification centres on the islands of Samos, Chios and Lesbos before building new facilities to supplement those in Kos and Leros.
What will be the regime of deprivation of liberty in force in these five structures? Will they take in people who have not yet been transferred to the continent when they open? Will all newcomers be accommodated there? These are all questions asked by the Commissioner in a letter sent on 25 November and published on 3 December.
Detention must be a measure of last resort, Mrs Mijatović reaffirmed, putting emphasis on the fate of children and vulnerable people (see EUROPE 12376/23).
In his response dated 29 November, Michalis Chrysochoidis, Greek Minister for the Protection of Citizens, stated that the new law “fully reflects the standards of the European Union” and promised that “the government is determined to create an asylum system that complies with international human rights law obligations”.
The Commissioner has already asked for details on the measures taken to improve the living conditions of people living in the still operational infrastructure in the Aegean islands. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)