Photo: Legal Centre Lesvos at the Info Point of Parea for the weekly permanence. Photo credit: Parea
QUARTERLY DEVELOPMENTS AND UPDATES FROM LESVOS
Over the last quarter, the situation of migrants in Greece remained dire with a continuation of persistent border violence, including a recent series of deadly attacks and escalated violence against migrant boats. The life-endangering and murderous actions of the Greek Coast Guard (HCG) continue to be documented with articles and reports emerging of the HCG shootings at migrant boats and causing shipwrecks. Similarly, data on recent arrivals confirm that the Greek government’s coordinated attack on migrants through its pushback policy continues.
Between July and September 2024, Greece witnessed a doubling in sea arrivals to the Aegean islands compared to the previous quarter, yet nearly 2,972 migrants were also forcibly pushed back by Greek authorities during the same period, according to the Turkish Coast Guard.
In parallel, and likely as a result of these systemic attacks against migrants, people on the move have shifted their migration routes, with increasing numbers of people taking longer and more perilous routes to reach the Greek islands which are not directly at the border with Turkey. In these non ‘hotspot’ islands, new arrivals frequently encounter a lack of adequate reception structures, leaving many stranded in the streets for days or weeks without shelter or immediate support.
Within the Lesvos Closed Controlled Access Center (CCAC), deprivation of the most fundamental rights has continued throughout the summer, with nearly 1,300 migrants who remained in inhuman living conditions, many without access to food and clean water following a persistent policy of discrimination based on legal status within the CCAC. In addition to that, delays in the provision of cash assistance since May 2024, has exacerbated the vulnerabilities of thousands of asylum seekers who rely on these funds to meet their basic needs.
In this context, the Legal Centre Lesvos continued its crucial work providing direct legal support and advocating for migrants’ rights. Over the past quarter, LCL represented refugees, asylum seekers and detainees, including people seeking family reunification, appealing denied asylum claims, and facing criminal charges. We continued to support criminalised migrants, who are systematically prosecuted as smugglers under harsh and broad legislation and facing severe penalties, often without evidence.
In August, LCL continued to support two of the Pylos 9 survivors accused of the June 2023 Adriana shipwreck, filing a claim for compensation in order to obtain damages for the time unjustly spent in detention. Unfortunately, the claim was denied by the Court in Kalamata on 19 November 2024.
To read more about the latest developments and updates from Lesvos, read the full Situation Report below.