“Mentally, physically, and practically, life is not possible here”
In July 2024 we published our report, Voices from the Camps, with Mobile Info Team (MIT). Since then living conditions and access to services in Greece’s mainland refugee camps have not improved. People are still isolated and unable to access their basic rights. There have been deaths of residents as well as reports of worsening conditions from people living in camps.
Today we’re sharing our follow-up report. With MIT, we spoke with residents of camps who we didn’t previously have contact with, as well as people we spoke to a year ago who continue to live in the same facilities. The report highlights the enduring and serious deficiencies in living conditions for refugees in Greece.
We continue to call on the Greek state to:
- Accommodate asylum seekers in apartments and houses in urban areas where they can access services, social networks and community
- Ensure camp accommodation is used for short-term stays and only when necessary, and residents should have full and unrestricted access to basic rights including healthcare, information and legal support.
- Ensure the provision of regular and free transportation from camps to urban centres to facilitate residents’ access to administrative and legal services as well as healthcare.
RLS’s Lucy Alper, Project Coordinator and Legal Caseworker, states:
“The Greek mainland has 27 refugee camps, all outside cities, isolated from wider society. Residents suffer daily in these camps, including our clients.
“This follow-up report documents current conditions and evidences that, since our report “Voices From The Camps” was published last July, conditions have not improved. There have been deaths of camp residents, including a 5 year old girl. There continue to be barriers to accessing healthcare and a lack of essential items including nappies for babies and sanitary towels for women.
“Again, we publish people’s voices from within the camps and again we call on the Greek government to provide dignified accommodation and lawful living conditions for people seeking asylum.”
You can read the full report in English and Greek below.
