UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants underscores the responsibility of the EU for the situation of irregular migrants in Greece

Date: 
Friday, October 4, 2013

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants visited Greece at the end of November in view of the report he will be presenting to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2013 on the management of the EU external borders. At the end of his visit he pointed out that the large number of irregular migrants stuck in Greece is a result of the EU policies and practices and that hence solidarity and responsibility-sharing within the EU were necessary to ensure respect for the human rights of migrants in Greece. He also expressed his concern for Greece's new practice of systematically detaining everyone detected irregularly entering the Greek territory and for the widespread xenophobic violence against migrants. While commending the Greek government for the plans regarding the future civilian asylum service and the first reception service, and the EU for its support in the realisation of the Action Plan on Migration and Asylum, the Special Rapporteur also expressed his worries about the lack of appropriate budget dedicated to the two mentioned services.

See more information about the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants here.

Read the Press Release here.


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