A/HRC/35/25/Add.2
in order to identify vulnerabilities, with a determination of the limited number of migrants
for whom detention is necessary, the reason why it is necessary, and the immediate release
all the other migrants with an appropriate status.
53.
At the time of the visit, there were around 8,556 migrants held in reception and
identification centres and open reception centres on the Greek islands of Chios, Samos,
Lesvos, Kos and Leros, while the facilities had a capacity of 7,450 places. 12 The
overcrowded conditions in Moria in Lesvos, and in Vathy in Samos, were particularly
shocking: Moria was housing around 3,000 people, with a capacity for only 2,000, and in
Vathy only one part of the camp was open, with capacity for 250 people, however on the
day of the visit it was housing up to 950 migrants, including families with children. At the
end of February 2017, the number of migrants on the islands stood at 13,053, despite a
capacity of 9,014 — further exacerbating the situation. 13 While recognizing the
improvements made or planned by the Greek authorities over time, the Special Rapporteur
still urges the Government to immediately transfer migrants to more suitable structures.
54.
Mandatory detention upon arrival, coupled with uncertainty over the future, leads to
an immeasurable amount of confusion, frustration, violence and fear among the migrants
held in the reception and identification centres on the Greek islands. Since the
implementation of the European Union-Turkey statement, there have been regular
demonstrations and violent riots in the camps, fights between different groups of migrants,
attacks on tents and on containers, and attempted suicides. The Special Rapporteur visited
the Vathy reception and identification centre on Samos following a night of fighting, which
left behind shattered tents and containers, pools of dried blood, several persons injured and
families with small children completely traumatized, and left single females feeling unsafe.
In the absence of a camp manager, no one felt responsible for the situation. The Special
Rapporteur was informed that the police had failed to intervene, as they were scared of
being outnumbered.
55.
The Special Rapporteur is deeply concerned about inadequate detention conditions
and the chaotic situation in the reception and identification centres, the blatant
overcrowdedness, with a mix of families and young single males, the absence of many
government services during the weekend, the lack of policing, and the insufficient
procedural safeguards in the detention facilities.
IV. Reception conditions
56.
At the end of February 2016, existing official accommodation barely met the needs
of the growing migrant population. Greece had to swiftly shift its approach from short-term
assistance for persons in transit, with a capacity of less than 2,500 places, to long-term
accommodation. At the time of the visit, the European Union provided €83 million under
the Emergency Assistance Instrument to improve material conditions for migrants and
refugees in Greece, with funding made available immediately to UNHCR and NGOs. On 9
September 2016, the European Commission announced another €115 million under the
Emergency Support Instrument. 14 As mentioned above, the Government of Greece was
awarded €182 million by mid-March 2017.
A.
Reception conditions on the Aegean islands
57.
Conditions in the reception and identification centres and the open camps on the
Aegean islands are particularly worrying, due to the seriously overcrowded facilities. The
reception and identification centres lack sufficient sanitary facilities, adequate food and
health care. Despite emergency heated housing during the winter, migrants, including
12
13
14
See https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/47586.
See https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/53821.
See http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-2986_en.htm.
9