Asylum

Since the start of the year, the Greek Government has further obstructed access to asylum for most migrants seeking protection in Greece, through the implementation of unfair policies and dysfunctional asylum procedures. In stark contrast to the opening of borders to Ukrainian nationals, evidence continues to emerge showing that Greek authorities systematically perpetrate violent and illegal pushbacks in the Aegean, with the complicity of EU institutions and agencies.

Since the end of December, asylum-seekers in Greece have been receiving ‘cash cards’ as part of an agreement between the Greek government and Catholic Relief Services (CRS). According to the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum, cards have been distributed to all eligible asylum-seekers. In January, overdue payments for October and November were made, with the expectation that disbursements will resume functioning normally at the beginning of March. The new distribution system is based on information from the Greek Asylum Service (GAS) database, and all registered asylum-seekers are entitled to cash assistance until a final decision on their asylum application is delivered.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with sister UN agencies, NGO partners, municipalities and authorities discussed with refugees and asylum-seekers across Greece to identify their main concerns and key recommendations around protection and integration. A regular part of UNHCR’s programming, the Participatory Assessment (PA) provides an opportunity for UNHCR and others to assess the existing humanitarian programmes and adjust future initiatives in line with refugees’ feedback.

Καλούμε τις Αρχές να σταματήσουν την εφαρμογή της παράνομης πρακτικής της απαγόρευσης εξόδου από την ΚΕΔ και να συμμορφωθούν άμεσα με τις Εθνικές και Ευρωπαϊκές επιταγές, επιτρέποντας επιτέλους την ελεύθερη έξοδο και είσοδο των διαμενόντων από και προς τη Δομή χωρίς περαιτέρω διατυπώσεις που καταλήγουν να προσβάλουν την αξιοπρέπειά τους, να πλήττουν την ψυχική τους υγεία και να παραβιάζουν την ελευθερία τους.