Council of Europe: Calls on Greece to improve migrant structures

According to the report of the Council of Europe committee, it calls on the country to improve conditions in migrant detention centers and especially in newly built and EU-funded ones.

In its report following its visit to Greece from 21 November to 1 December 2023 and which was published today together with the response of the Greek authorities, the Committee of the Council of Europe for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Timorias (CPT) calls on the Greek authorities "to improve the conditions in the country's immigration detention centers and especially in the newly built and EU-funded centers on the Aegean islands, while ensuring that foreign nationals are treated with dignity and humanity."

The main objective of the visit of the members of the Commission as stated was "to examine the treatment of aliens deprived of their liberty under immigration law in pre-departure detention centers, police stations and border stations, as well as in the newly constructed Closed Controlled Access Centers on the islands of the Aegean, specifically in Lesvos, Kos and Samos".

According to the report: “In their response, the Greek authorities emphasize that the conditions of detention of foreign nationals in the country's police stations and pre-departure detention centers are in line with international standards and that large-scale renovation work is planned in three detention centers. They also provide information on measures being taken to improve detention conditions for migrant detainees in Closed Controlled Access Centers and to improve recordability and health staffing.

According to the Greek Police and the Coast Guard, everyone is acting in full compliance with their international obligations and especially with the principle of non-refoulement and the protection of human life and dignity."

Pagenews.gr