The Council of Europe Anti-Torture Committee (CPT) has criticized the detention conditions of migrants in Greece and called on the country to reform its reception system. „The response from the Greek authorities cannot be based on a policy of detention,“ said a report released today by the panel. The time is ripe for a new approach.
According to the report, detention conditions in some facilities on Samos and Evros region amounted to inhumane treatment. Members of the committee visited Greek border police stations and detention centers for migrants in mid-March.
Greece establishes conditions with overcrowding
In a written reply, the Greek government stated that placement in other non-provisional camps was sometimes not possible due to overcrowding. Some points of criticism such as the lighting had already been improved. Applications were pending to be able to pay for the exchange of beds, for example.
At the end of February, Turkey announced that it would no longer stop migrants en route to Greece. The Greek government then increased the number of staff at the border and suspended the possibility of applying for asylum for a month. According to the report, this should not be the case. All people in need should have the opportunity to apply for asylum.
The body also wrote that there must be a European solution, but that it does not free Greece from its obligation to respect human rights. It called on Greece to take decisive action to stop police mistreatment of foreigners. All people should be treated with humanity and dignity. The committee reported kicks and blows against migrants. According to the Greek government, there have been no complaints against police officers.
