Oxfam: Fair Processing of Asylum Seekers’ Applications Has Become Impossible in Greece

Greece has changed its asylum laws. The Oxfam organization considers these changes inconsistent with European humanitarian standards. According to this organization’s report, the possibility of fair processing of asylum applicants’ cases in Greece has been eliminated.

Oxfam, in collaboration with the Greek Refugee Council, has published a report on the consequences of Greece’s new asylum law. According to officials of this organization, the changes made to Greece’s asylum law essentially mean trampling on Europe’s binding humanitarian standards.

The website “Spiegel Online” on Thursday, June 2nd (June 12th) made public sections of Oxfam’s report on the situation of refugees in Greece.

Oxfam is one of the world’s largest humanitarian aid organizations that works to combat poverty and hunger. Following the announcement of a revision to Greece’s asylum law, representatives of this organization traveled to Greece and its islands to examine the consequences and impacts of these changes on the lives of asylum applicants.

Oxfam representatives, in their examination of the situation of asylum applicants, cooperated with the Greek Refugee Council and discussed the living conditions of refugees with lawyers, experts, asylum seekers, and human rights organizations.

The report released on Thursday by Oxfam’s Brussels office is the result of these investigations.

Dire Situation of Refugees

The report states that accelerating the processing of asylum applications essentially eliminates the possibility of fair review of their cases. Therefore, this organization considers the notable changes in Greece’s asylum law inconsistent with European standards.

During recent months, Greece’s conservative government has not only accelerated the processing of applicants’ cases but has also deployed hundreds of new border police to prevent refugees from entering.

Moreover, Greece has expanded its border fence with Turkey. The Greek government even suspended processing of asylum applications for one month in March.

The situation of refugees on islands in the eastern Aegean Sea has been assessed as dire. In some refugee camps that have a capacity of 8,000 people, by the end of June, 35,000 refugees were housed. The Greek government has transferred many asylum applicants living on the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Leros, and Kos to mainland Greece.

Mistreatment of Refugees

Oxfam’s report also addresses the phenomenon of mistreatment of asylum applicants. The report states that a number of refugees, including children and pregnant women, have been detained without explanation by refugee camp officials.

Moreover, during the coronavirus crisis, a number of refugees reported sexual harassment in refugee camps. Domestic violence and assault are among the issues that refugees raised in their conversations with Oxfam representatives.