On February 5th, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) granted HRLP’s request for interim measures against the Greek government for the horrific living conditions in the “Safe” Zone of the Samos CCAC where unaccompanied minors (UAMs) reside.
Amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis taking place in the Samos CCAC, and considering the failure of the competent authorities to address the horrific living conditions in the camp’s “safe” UAM minors reside, HRLP has filed an official request to the ECtHR for interim measures (urgent measures)
HRLP filed the request in late January, on behalf of 4 UAMs. HRLP provided the Court with the details and legal documents proving that the 4 applicants we are representing are unlawfully detained inside the CCAC’s safe area for up to 4 months.
In addition to the de-facto detention of the applicants, HRLP argued that their detention conditions amounted to inhumane and degrading treatment considering the:
Lack of access to medical & psychological care
Unsanitary conditions, lack of food and improper bedding
Lack of adequate clothing amidst harsh weather conditions
Lack of appointed guardians
Violent & abusive behaviour of police officers working inside the Safe Zone
Failure to protect the Applicants from violence inflicted by other minors
HRLP also emphasized that more than 400 minors are currently detained in the same inhuman and degrading conditions at the Samos CCAC’s “safe” zone, and that the ill-treatment they are subjected to exposes all of them to imminent risk of irreparable harm.
Citing the General Secretariat for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection, as well as the Council of Europe Anti-torture Committee’s (CPT) provisions, HRLP stressed Greece’s obligation to ensure the safety, wellbeing and protection from ill treatment of all UAMs residing in the Samos CCAC, providing sufficient proof that these obligations are severely obstructed.
Following the ECtHR’s correspondence, including requests for further information, the Greek government and HRLP submitted final comments on February 4.
In response to the Government’s submission, HRLP noted the Government’s failure to address crucial points that were raised in the request for interim measures and subsequent replies to the Court’s questions.
Specifically, HRLP argued:
“In its submissions, the Government details Greek legislation and the framework, but entirely omits to address the imminent risk faced by the applicants due to improper application of said legislation, and fails to consider the non-derogable nature of the rights at stake. There is scarcely any concrete information relating to the concrete reception of the four applicants or measures in place to improve their current situation”.
Finally, on February 5, the Court granted the interim measures, as per HRLP’s request, acknowledging that the 4 minors are at imminent risk of irreparable harm, and ordered the Greek government to provide them with adequate food, water, clothing and medical care, to ensure their protection from ill-treatment and ensure their speedy relocation to a shelter for minors.
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