ECHR GRANTS INTERIM MEASURES AGAINST THE UNLAFWUL DETENTION OF A MINOR IN THE SAMOS CCAC

April, 11, 2025: the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) granted HRLP’s request for interim measures against the unlawful detention of an unaccompanied minor (UAM) at the Samos CCAC's Safe Zone.

Over the past months, HRLP has been consistent in its efforts to address and seek accountability for the deplorable living conditions and the gross human rights violations taking place at the Samos CCAC’s Safe Zone where unaccompanied minors reside.

On the 3rd of April, approximately two months after the ECtHR accepted HRLP's request for interim measures submitted on behalf of for 4 UAMs, HRLP filed a second request on behalf of Y.E., a minor who has been kept at the Samos CCAC’s Safe Zone for 133 days.

In a thorough analysis, HRLP argued that the Applicant is at imminent risk of irreparable harm, since the conditions of his prolonged de-facto detention amount to inhumane and degrading treatment, stressing that during his detention at the CCAC, Y.E.:

• Has never received soap, toothbrush  or toothpaste. 

• Was never provided with winter clothes or shoes.

• For the first 3 months, he was sleeping on the floor, under another boy’s bed.

• Has no guardianship mandated person.

• Has not received mental health support despite expressing severe psychological distress.

HRLP therefore requested that the Court urgently intervene and grant interim measures, ordering Greece to immediately put an end to this imminent risk by:

a) providing the Applicant with immediate appropriate psychological support ;

b) ceasing the de facto detention of the Applicant ;

c) ensuring that the Applicant is provided with appropriate reception conditions, duly taking account his special protection needs, with adequate medical care (including a proper diagnosis and access to full psycho-medical treatment); this result can be best achieved by transferring the Applicant to a shelter for minors in mainland Greece ;

HRLP also mentioned being in contact with at least 2 UAMs whose detention has now exceeded 150 days, emphasizing that the conditions in the Safe Area remain deplorable and incompatible with the minors’ human dignity, vulnerability and increased need for protection, putting 187 children at imminent risk of irreparable harm.

On the 11th of April, the ECtHR accepted HRLP’s request for interim measures -for a second time in a row- indicating to the Greek government to:

(i) Ensure M. ’s prompt transfer to appropriate reception conditions and in the meantime

(ii) Guarantee reception conditions that are compatible with human dignity (Article 3), taking into account his age and vulnerability

(iii) Appoint a guardian

(iv) Secure adequate access to medical and psychological support

At HRLP, we see strategic litigation as a pathway to systemic change, and every successful intervention serves as an important reward, motivation and fuel for our action. By applying pressure on the Greek government to uphold its obligations and respect fundamental human rights, the European Court’s decision constitutes an important step towards increased accountability.

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