JOINT SUBMISSION FOR THE UN UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW REGARDING THE SITUATION OF REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN GREECE

In this joint submission 20 organizations1 provide information on the implementation of selected recommendations of the 2nd Universal Periodic Review cycle relating to the treatment of asylum-seekers and refugees in Greece, based on their experience from the field and relevant research. Information is compiled by the Greek Council for Refugees (GCR), a Greek organization active since 1989 providing legal assistance and social support to persons in need of international protection in Greece, which has Consultative Status in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). GCR is also member of EuroMed Rights, a network representing 65 human rights organizations active in 30 countries across the Euro-Mediterranean region, which supported the finalisation of the present submission, in cooperation with Access Center for Human Rights (ACHR). The present submission is endorsed by Associazione Ricreativa e Culturale Italiana – ARCI, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and CLA Voice in Bulgaria, members of EuroMed Rights Migration and Asylum Working Group, which share concerns raised in this submission regarding practices that violate human rights across the Euro- Mediterranean region, as well as the related recommendations to respect human rights obligations and protect migrants’ and refugees’ rights.

1. ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth
2. Centre for Research on Women’s Issues – Diotima
3. Equal Rights Beyond Borders – Equal Rights BB
4. Fenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid
5. Greek Council for Refugees – GCR
6. Greek Forum of Refugees – GFR
7. Hellenic League for Human Rights – HLHR
8. HIAS Greece
9. HumanRights360
10. International Rescue Committee (IRC)
11. Legal Centre Lesvos-LCL
12. Medecins Du Monde – Greece | MdM-Greece
13. Network for the rights of the child
14. Refugee Support Aegean (RSA)
15. SolidarityNow
16. Access Center for Human Rights – ACHR & Centre d’accès pour les droits de l’homme – ACHR
17. Associazione Ricreativa e Culturale italiana – ARCI
18. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
19. CLA Voice in Bulgaria
20. EuroMed Rights – EMR