REPORTS
GCR: Degrading living conditions and lack of access to asylum at the Amygdaleza Pre‑Removal Detention Center
On 30 July 2025, the Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) published an extensive report following its visit to the Amygdaleza Pre‑Removal Detention Center on 25 July, a few days after third‑country nationals were transferred there following their arrival on Gavdos on 18 July. The group consisted of 26 unaccompanied minors and 144 adults, including 60 Sudanese, 63 Egyptians, 14 Yemenis and 7 Eritreans.
GCR identified serious concerns regarding the living conditions of the detained individuals, reporting that:
First, accommodation containers were poorly maintained, with some entirely unsuitable due to damage. Toilets lacked running water, and several containers had no electricity, making air‑conditioning unusable during a heatwave. The entire facility consists of containers placed in an open yard covered with white gravel, divided into wings by high fencing, without shade or trees, resulting in extreme temperatures.
Second, there was an insufficient supply of clothing and underwear, leaving individuals without a second set of clothes and unable to maintain basic hygiene.
Third, many detainees had not been provided with shoes or sandals, forcing them to walk barefoot on extremely hot ground, a condition indicative of the authorities’ inability to meet even basic needs.
Fourth, food quantities were limited and inadequate. Access to drinking water was possible only from bathroom taps or an outdoor hose. No bottled or cold water was provided.
Fifth, access to medical care was limited or nonexistent. Contact with the outside world was also severely restricted, as detainees had no internet access due to a technical failure, further heightening anxiety and distress.
Beyond the “degrading living conditions”, GCR highlighted serious concerns regarding the lack of access to the internationally recognised right to asylum. Newly arrived individuals had not received information from the authorities about asylum procedures or the reasons for their detention, and no documents or decisions had been served to them.
These findings raise significant concerns about the failure of the Greek authorities to respect their international obligations regarding the reception, care and dignified treatment of refugees.
The 1951 Refugee Convention recognises the right to asylum and guarantees a range of rights for refugees in their country of residence, including:
The Convention also prohibits the expulsion or refoulement of refugees (Article 33).
Under the rule of law, authorities must respect the rights of refugees during their reception and care.
However, the evidence in this case indicates serious shortcomings and failures by the Greek authorities in the treatment of individuals entitled to international protection, despite the rights guaranteed to them under the 1951 Refugee Convention. These allegations warrant investigation by the competent state and judicial authorities.
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