Protection

The undersigned non-governmental organisations were surprised to be informed that the Ministry of Migration and Asylum denied the registration of non-profit civil society organisation “Refugee Support Aegean” (RSA) on its NGO Registry, despite a positive opinion from competent services. We are particularly concerned by the substantive ground for such rejection, citing that the “development of activity” “in support of persons under deportation” is contrary to Greek legislation.

Thirty-six civil society organizations have sent a letter to Pope Francis regarding the refugee situation in view of his upcoming visit to Greece.

In a letter released at an online press conference on Thursday, December 2, the NGOs asked, among other things, to meet with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and inform him about the living conditions of refugees in Greece, as well as the need to support refugees quest for access to asylum with a message of solidarity towards our persecuted fellow humans.

The co-signed organisations and civil society groups present in Samos wish to raise concerns about the restrictions implemented in the camp over the last two weeks, whereby camp residents who do not have a valid asylum applicant card have not been allowed to exit the camp.