ANNUAL POLICY REPORT 2015

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ON ASYLUM AND MIGRATION

PART 2

Annual Policy Report 2015

The study was prepared by the Working Group of the Center for Security Studies (KE.ME.A.). EDITOR Vasileios Grizis, Director of the Center for Security Studies (KE.ME.A.). SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR Anastasia Tsoukala, Associate Professor of Criminology, University of Paris 11, Senior Researcher University of Paris-

Descartes (Sorbonne), Scientific Associate of the Institute of International Relations, Panteion University (Athens).

RESEARCH TEAM Theodoros Fouskas, PhD, Sociologist, specialized in migration, integration of third country nationals, immigrant labour

and immigrant community organizations. Assistant Professor at the Hellenic Police School of Further Education and Training (Greece). Author in Greek, translation in English, data analysis, chapter editing and conduction of interviews.

Foteini-Maria Mine, International Relations Expert, Msc University of Piraeus and University of Lund. Author in Greek, translation in English, data analysis, chapter editing and conduction of interviews.

The authors wish to warmly thank for their valuable comments and remarks the Members of the Team for Receipt and Evaluation of the Study (OPAM) of the National Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN): Helen Petraki, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, President of the

Committee, George Paramanidis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, Athanasios Papathemelis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, Christos-Ioannis Tsopouridis, Directorate of Enforcement of Irregular Immigration of the Branch of Foreigners and

Border Protection, Headquarters of the Hellenic Police, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction,

Athanasios Vitsentzatos, Employee of the Directorate of Migration Policy, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We are also grateful for the assistance and the provision of information to: Anastopoulos Athanasios, Counselor of Embassy, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic

Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Zafiriou Christos, Rear Admiral, Director of A΄ Division, Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Hellenic Ministry of

Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism. Zisis Georgios, Employee of the Service of Management of European Programmes of Asylum, Reception and

Integration (YDEPAYE), Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction (Sector of Migration). Karkani Dimitra, Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention (HCDCP), Ministry of Health Koletta Lamprini, Director of the Appeals Authority, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative

Reconstruction. Liousis Nikolaos, Expert, Ambassador-Director, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic

Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Michalopoulou Nana, Psychologist, NGO ARSIS. Moskoff Iraklis, National Rapporteur, Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, Hellenic

Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nasika Zoi, Deputy Head of the Independent Unit of Asylum, Relocation, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior

and Administrative Reconstruction. Nerantzis George, Head of the Department of Support of Workers Abroad and Employment of Immigrants in Greece,

Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare. Nikolopoulos Leonidas, Expert-Advisor A΄, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry

of Foreign Affairs. Ntzoidou Irini, Employee of the Department of Social Integration, Directorate of Migration Policy, Hellenic Ministry of

Interior and Administrative Reconstruction.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

Papakonstantinou Anastasia, Independent Unit of Asylum, Relocation, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction.

Stathopoulou Theodora Directorate of Social Protection and Social Inclusion, Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare.

Stavrinaki Tina, Racist Violence Recording Network. Stavropoulou Maria, Director, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction. Trepa Sevasti, Deputy Head of the Strategic Planning, Legislative Work, International and European Cooperation

Department Hall Edward Albert, Department of Certification, Training and Quality, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior

and Administrative Reconstruction. Cover photo: Theodoros Fouskas – personal collection: “Munting Nayon-Cultural School of the Union of Solidarity of Philippine Workers in Greece/KASAPI-HELLAS”, 2010.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

The European Migration Network (EMN) was established in 2003, originally as a preparatory action of the European Commission, with the aim of providing the European Commission and the Member-States with objective, reliable, comparable and up-to-date data on migration and asylum, to build policymaking in the European Union and hence their national policies in these areas. Subsequently, the Council of the EU in 2008, with the No. 381/2008/EK Judgment founded the EMN, as permanent structure that will operate within the European Commission, with the participation of Member-States in order achieve these goals. More information on the EMN and its work can be found on the website www.emn.europa.eu or on the Greek website http://emn.ypes.gr Contact details with the Greek Focal Point of the European Migration Network: Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction Secretariat for Population and Social Cohesion General Directorate for Migration Policy Directorate of Immigration Policy Department of Immigration Policy 2 Evangelistrias Street 105 63 Athens Tel. 213 136 1251/54/57 Email: emn@ypes.gr © 2015/2016, Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction. All rights reserved. This study was conducted with the financial support of the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network. The research contents are of the responsibility of the author. In no case, the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction can be held liable for any use of the information made by third parties.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

Contents Executive summary............................................................................................................................................. 6

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 7

2. Overview of asylum and migration policy developments ......................................................................... 9

3. International protection (asylum) ........................................................................................................... 11

4. Unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable groups ............................................................................ 26

5. Legal migration and mobility ................................................................................................................... 29

6. Migration and development .................................................................................................................... 55

7. Irregular migration including smuggling .................................................................................................. 58

8. Return ...................................................................................................................................................... 66

9. Countering trafficking in human beings .................................................................................................. 69

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ON ASYLUM AND MIGRATION

PART 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This should summarise the key findings of your National Report specifically targeted at your national audience. In the absence of comparable sub-sections, EMN NCPs are also encouraged to try to highlight main issues/debates for the Service Provider that might be of interest for inclusion in the Country Factsheet or the APR-related Informs. The Annual Policy Report 2015 aims at informing not only the Member-States and the European Commission, but also the national audience on all the developments that took place in the year of 2015 or were scheduled to be implemented in a future period, in the areas of asylum and migration. This report presents, in detail, the legal provisions and policies adopted, measures taken and programmes implemented during the year, as follows:

In Section 1, the aims of the Policy Report and a general-introductory description of the phenomena of migration and refugees, for the year of 2015, are presented.

In Section 2, an overview of the developments of the policies in the fields of asylum and migration is made.

In Section 3, all developments regarding the sector of international protection (Asylum) are presented.

Subsequently, Section 4, includes the national approach concerning the management of the issues of unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable groups.

In Section 5, the developments in legislation and policies regarding legal migration and mobility of migrants, e.g. for economic reasons, family reunification, studies, integration and acquisition of citizenship, entry visa policy etc., are analyzed.

Section 6, includes the advancements regarding: migration and development, addressing brain drain, the remittances of migrants and diaspora groups.

In Section 7, an overview of the actions for tackling irregular migration and smuggling is made. In Section 8, the policies for the promotion of voluntary returns, the number of returns (forced and

assisted-voluntary) that took place during the year, the measures taken in order to improve the conditions of return and the cooperation between the competent actors in the framework of joint operations of return, are recorded.

Finally, in Section 9, an overview of the national actions for addressing the phenomenon of human trafficking is provided.

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European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 1. INTRODUCTION EMN NCPs may wish to state the aims of the Report, as related to their national audiences, making references to the methodology and definitions given in Annex to your National Report (where applicable). This Report aims at informing not only the Member-States and the European Commission, but also the national audience for all legislative developments, policies, measures and programmes, that were implemented during the year 2015, or were designed/planned to be implemented in a future period, in the sectors of asylum and migration, along with an overview of the respective per question issues with the presentation of figures and other data.

Greece – due to its geographical position between three (3) continents and because of its long coastline, as it comprises a significant part of the external sea borders and also part of the land borders of the European Union (EU) and Schengen area – is the main entry and transit point to the European territory, for the incoming third country nationals, who cross the Greek-Turkish land borders via the area of Evros and the sea borders via Aegean.

In 2015, Greece was confronted with the largest refugee and migratory flows of the recent years1, especially during the last few months, when refugee flows were dramatically increased2.

Because of the events of the Arab Spring and the socio-political instability in the Middle East and in sub-Saharan Africa and mainly due to the conflicts in Syria, populations displaced from their origin countries, enter in the territory of Greece in order to apply for asylum, or crossing/pass through the country in order to continue their journey to their destination, towards another European country3.

According to the statistical data of the Hellenic Police, in twelve (12) months of 2015, nine hundred and eleven thousand and four hundred and seventy one (911.471)4 arrests of undocumented third country nationals for irregular entry and stay in the country by Police and Coast Guard Authorities, were made5.

According to the official statistical data of the Asylum Service, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, thirteen thousand and one hundred and ninety-seven (13.197) applications for asylum in the country were submitted, and main countries of origin of the refugees were Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan etc6.

Important actions and measures have been taken by the State, concerning the sectors of migration and asylum, for the management of the developments, with the valuable contribution of International Organizations and the Civil Society Institutions.

1 See: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Greece (2015) “More than One Μillion Refugees Travel to Greece Since 2015”, News, March 16, 2016. Available at: http://www.unhcr.org/56e9821b6.html 2 See: Amnesty International (2016) Amnesty International Report 2015/16: The State of the World’s Human Rights. London: Amnesty International. Available at: https://goo.gl/jpxqzr (in English); Fouskas, T. and V. Tsevrenis (eds.) (2014) Contemporary Immigration in Greece: A Sourcebook. Athens: European Public Law Organization (EPLO) Publications.Human Rights Watch (HRW) (2016) World Report 2016: Events of 2015. New York: Seven Stories Press. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/world_report_download/wr2016_web.pdf; International Organization for Migration (IOM) (2015) World Migration Report 2015: Migrants and Cities, New Partnerships to Manage Mobility. Geneva: International Organization for Migration. Available at: http://publications.iom.int/system/files/wmr2015_en.pdf; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2015), International Migration Outlook 2015. Paris: OECD Publishing; Triandafyllidou, A. (2015) Turning the Refugee Crisis into an Opportunity? Current Challenges for Greece and Suggestions for Action. Policy Briefs. Issue 2015/02 December 2015. Global Governance Programme. Florence: Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies European University Institute. Available at http://goo.gl/Cem0af (in English) and http://goo.gl/EZLqIw (in Greek); Triandafyllidou, A. (ed.) (2016) Routledge Handbook of Immigration and Refugee Studies. London: Routledge. 3 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1967: The wave of refugees and the endurances of Greece (April, 22 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction /Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/2DTTfu, accessed: December 20, 2015). 4 Eight hundred and fifty-six thousand and seven hundred and twenty-three (856.723) arrivals by sea were recorded in 2015, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). See: http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/country.php?id=83 5 See: http://www.astynomia.gr/images/stories//2015/statistics15/allodapwn/12_statistics_all_2015_all.png 6 Four hundred and seventy-nine thousand and six hundred and forty-eight (479.648) third country nationals originated from Syria, two hundred and nine thousand and three hundred and sixty-seven (209.367) from Afghanistan, twenty-three thousand and four hundred and forty-four (23.444) from Pakistan, eighty-seven thousand and seven hundred and sixty-one (87.761) from Iraq, twenty-two thousand and four hundred and sixty-nine (22.469) from Iran and thirty-four thousand and thirty-four 34.034 from other countries, in 2015 according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) four hundred and sixty-two thousand and six hundred and thirty (462.630) men, one hundred and forty-five thousand and six hundred and forty-three (145.643) women and two hundred and forty-eight thousand and four hundred and fifty (248.450) children. See: http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/country.php?id=83

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 All legislative and policy developments as well as the programmes, that are related to the areas of

interest of this study are presented in detail in the following sections.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 2. OVERVIEW OF ASYLUM AND MIGRATION POLICY DEVELOPMENTS This Section may be used to set the general context in which the specific developments are to be described later. This may include an overview of relevant political developments, policy and legislative debates, plus broader developments which affected multiple areas within asylum and migration. Suggested pointers based on previous national reports: general political developments, e.g. elections on regional or national levels, government

changes/reshuffles, appointment of new Ministers responsible for asylum, migration and/or integration;

general overview of main policy and/or legislative changes plus debates that have occurred on migration and asylum issues during the reference year. Main policy and/or legislative debates could include, for example, parliamentary debates, contributions from civil society and/or migrant organisations and/or academia, plus debates undertaken within broadcast or published media (e.g. newspapers);

any broader policy changes which affected multiple themes and topics within asylum and migration (e.g. affecting both legal/managed migration and asylum;

For those Member-States who held the Presidency of the EU during 2015 (Latvia and Luxembourg), but also immediately prior to i.e. in 2014 (Italy) and after i.e. in 2016 (Netherlands) provide an overview of the main plans, developments and/or achievements

The year 2015 was marked by important developments in the political field of Greece with the two (2) national parliamentary elections. In the elections on January 25, 20157 and on September 20, 20158, the left-wing political party Coalition of Radical Left (SYRIZA) won both and elected as governing party. Alexis Tsipras, the President of the political party Coalition of Radical Left (SYRIZA) was sworn in for a second consecutive time as Prime Minister of Greece on September 21, 20159. Moreover, On February 18, 2015, Prokopios Pavlopoulos was elected President of the Hellenic Republic and he took office on March 13, 201510. Furthermore, in 2015 a Greek referendum11 was announced on June 28, 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) A΄ 63)12 and held on July 5, 2015 regarding the proposal of the institutions to the Hellenic Government concerning the implementation of programmes of reforms and economic measures. Along with the deep economic recession that the country is facing, which affects both the social and economic life of the country and the ongoing efforts to recover from the economic crisis and its impact, Greece received numerous refugee flows, especially during the summer months of 2015, coming mainly from Syria, where conflicts are currently continued with undiminished intensity13.

Regarding the legal framework, a key achievement for 2015, among other legislative provisions in the areas of migration and asylum, was the passing of Law 4332/2015, which modified the provisions of the Code of Migration and Social Integration 4251/2014 regarding the adaptation of the Greek legislation to the Directives of the European Parliament and of the Council 2011/98/EC, concerning the joint procedure of submission of permit for the granting to third-country nationals, of joint permit of residence and work14, in the territory of a Member-State, and regarding with the common set of rights for workers from third

7 See: http://ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu/v2015a/v/public/index.html#{"cls":"main","params":{}} 8 See: http://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/v/public/index.html#{"cls":"main","params":{}} 9See:http://goo.gl/3KTmdL and http://europe.newsweek.com/alexis-tsipras-sworn-new-prime-minister-greece-after-sweeping-victory-333385?rm=eu 10 See: http://goo.gl/dlydfb and http://www.presidency.gr/?page_id=4127 11 See: http://www.ypes.gr/el/Elections/referendum2015/ and http://www.referendum2015gov.gr/ 12See:http://www.ypes.gr/el/Elections/referendum2015/, http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/pd38fek63-28062015.pdf and http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/fek64-28062015.pdf 13 See: Hellenic Ministry of State/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1686: The management of the refugee/immigrant issue cannot be done on the basis of the logic of an NGO because it is a matter that concerns directly the State (December 4, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of State/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/zKCVcx, accessed: December 20, 2015). 14 See: Marouda, M.-D., Rossidi, M., Koutsouraki, E. and Saranti, V. (2015) Changes in Immigration Status and Purpose of Stay: An Overview of EU Member-States Approaches. EMN Focussed Study 2015. Athens: Institute of International Relations (IIR)/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction and Brussels: European Migration Network (EMN)/European Commission. Available at: http://goo.gl/7ib7Wl (in English) and http://goo.gl/pmuU5Y (in Greek).

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 countries, who are legally residing in a Member-State, and the Directive 2014/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, concerning the terms of entry and stay of third country nationals, for the purpose of seasonal work. Moreover, a series of Joint Ministerial Decisions (KYA) were made during 2015, with which issues related to the entry and integration of third country nationals into the Greek territory were defined, such as:

The no. 6855/105/19 February 2015 Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA), according to which the maximum limit of residence permits for employment of third country nationals for the years of 2015 and 2016 in all regions of the country was determined, as a whole15. The no. 61221/18 September 2015 Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 2050 B΄) regarding the determination of the category of residence permits of third country nationals who enter in Greece for studies in music educational institutions recognized by the state, which have concluded a contract of cooperation with the Higher Educational Institutes abroad, recognized in Greece; the Circular of the Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, no. 30102/431/1 July 2015, of the Alternate Minister of Labour, regarding the amendment of the Circular of 2012 and with particular objective the issuing and renewal of work permit of the beneficiaries of subsidiary protection; the Draft Law of the Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, submitted to the Hellenic Parliament for consultation in August 2015, in order to ratify the revised European Social Charter of the Council of Europe, which is the most comprehensive international convention on the protection of social rights, including the rights of third country nationals who reside in the territory of the Member-State, and other legislative developments and policies, which will be further analyzed in the following sections of the Report.

Furthermore, the developments concerning the management of the refugee flows were of great importance16, with the activation of the civil protection mechanism of the European Union17, the reinforcement of the presence of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex)18 at the Greek borders, the planning of operation of hotspots19, for the fast-track process of identification of the data/information of incoming populations and their distinction in beneficiaries of international protection and migrants20, and as well as, the procedures of return of individuals who are not recognized with a legal status21.

15 See: http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/kya24990-040615.pdf 16 See: European Commission (2015) Final Report from The Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the Follow-Up to the Leaders’ Meeting On Refugee Flows along the Western Balkans Route – 15.12.2015 Com(2015) 676. Strasbourg: European Commission. Available at:http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/securing-eu-borders/legal-documents/docs/report_western_balkans_en.pdf 17 See: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/Refugee_Crisis/EUCPM_Support_en.pdf 18 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1442: Frontex leaves Greece in the midst of the refugee crisis (November 25, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/TjlPzU, accessed: December 20, 2015). 19 See: European Commission (2015) Final Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council Managing the Refugee Crisis: State of Play of the Implementation of the Priority Actions Under the European Agenda on Migration – 14.10.2015 Com(2015) 510. Brussels: European Commission. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-migration/proposal-implementation-package/docs/communication_on_eam_state_of_play_20151014_en.pdf 20 Regarding statistical data on legal migration, see: http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/StatStoixNomMetan-19042016.xls (Last Update: 19 April 2016, Directorate of Migration Policy, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction). 21 Supporter in the efforts the Hellenic Coast Guard is the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex), which coordinates the operational cooperation between the Member-States in the sector of management of the external borders, ensures the operational and technical assistance to Member-States that are in need of support and for the establishment of teams/units of border guards who are properly trained, and that have been made available from all Member-States so as to carry out its mission. Information and data provided by the Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism).

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 3. INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION (ASYLUM) Referring also to section I.1 and I.2 of the introduction to these specifications, outline all developments in your (Member) State in relation to international protection (asylum). Pointers for specific issues for this section relevant to national audiences and based on previous national reports might include developments associated with: International protection procedures Reception of applicants of international protection, including information on the reception of

applicants from specific third countries (e.g. Syria, Afghanistan, Western Africa) Integration of asylum seekers/persons with international protection status

Common European Asylum System

Hundreds of thousands of refugees arrived unimpededy in the territory of Greece during the year 2015; many of them were rescued by the Hellenic Coast Guard, despite the few resources at its disposal22.

During the second half of 2015, the access to the process of asylum was unconstrained, since many refugees chose to leave Greece.

In 2015 only, the Service recorded thirteen thousand and one hundred and ninety-seven (13.197) requests, an increase of 39.9% compared to 2014. While in 2013 and 2014 the main country of origin of the asylum seekers was Afghanistan, in 2015, was Syria. Another significant change that was observed was the increase of the number of families seeking asylum, as well as, of the unaccompanied minors.

The recognition rate, which was 15% in 2013, in 2015, until the summer when the assessment was published, it was almost 50%, mainly due to the larger number of refugees from Syria who were seeking asylum. Also, in 2015 a total of six hundred thirty eight (638) subsequently requests, while Greece has sent to other Member-States five hundred and fifty (550) requests to take responsibility, pursuant to Dublin III Regulation, especially for reasons of family reunification.

In six (6) cases, the international protection that was granted was revoked, either due to their resignation from it, or due to their conviction for particularly serious offenses, according to the law23.

The Asylum Service provides services of interpretation in many languages of third country nationals, while they apply for asylum.

The outgoing requests under “Dublin” Regulation in 2015 reached the number of one thousand and seventy-three (1.073) requests and the incoming requests under “Dublin” Regulation in 2015 reached the number of one hundred and thirty-one (131) requests.

Athens Solidarity Center

The operation of the Athens Solidarity Center began in December 2014. During the one (1) year of

operation of the Athens Solidarity Center -from December 2014 until December 2015- the total number of beneficiaries amounted to thirty thousand and two hundred and fifty-five (30.255) while the number of services provided amounted to seventy thousand and eight hundred (70.800).

The project of the Athens Solidarity Center is implemented in cooperation with the Municipality of Athens, and the NGOs PRAKSIS24, ARSIS, Network for Children’s Rights and Together for Children, with the financial support of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, via the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA) – i.e. the so-called EEA Grants, the Open Society Foundations and the Royal Norwegian Embassy (Norway Grants.

In the Athens Solidarity Center, a team/unit of the Asylum Service operates, which supports

22 According to official data of the Hellenic Coast Guard, in 2015 the Coast Guard recorded/made: five thousand and seven hundred and twenty-one (5.721) registered incidents, eight hundred and forty-seven thousand and nine hundred and thirty (847.930) individuals detected, two thousand and one hundred and forty-seven (2.147) incidents of rescues, seventy-three thousand and five hundred and sixty-five (73.565) individuals rescued and four hundred and eighty-two (482) smugglers arrested. (Information and data provided by the Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism). 23 See: http://asylo.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DT-TWO-YEARS_GR.pdf 24 See: http://goo.gl/l2B8UD

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 unaccompanied minors and single parent families. Services provided:

a) Primary healthcare b) Free legal assistance c) Support of employability d) Support of the child and the family In the Solidarity Center, three (3) services, aiming at children and families, are operating in close

coordination: • The 11525 telephone helpline • Centre for the child • Psychosocial support of parents25 In January 2015, the handbook of 2013 of the Asylum Service was reprinted, with the basic

information for applicants for/seeking international protection in Greece. In May 2015, the first year of the implementation of the Action “Assistance to the Asylum Service”

was completed, which included actions of support of the procedures of provision of asylum, with a total budget of three million, nine hundred and ninety-six thousand and two hundred and sixty-four and thirty two cents (3.996.264,32) euros, which was funded by 85% from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, via the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA) – i.e. the so-called EEA Grants during the years 2009-2014, and by 15% from funds of the National Program of Public Investments of the Hellenic Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection26.

For the effective management of the refugee flows, on July 6 2015, the Prefectural/Regional Asylum Office of Thessaloniki27 began its operation, as well as, the launching of the operation of the Prefectural/Regional Asylum Office of Samos has been scheduled28.

Furthermore, according to the Press Release of the Asylum Service, as it was published on July 16, 2015, the implementation of an action entitled “Emergency Assistance for the operation of Asylum Units which will examine with a fast track procedure the applications/claims for international protection submitted by Syrians in Greece”, began. For the implementation of this Action, a Grant Agreement was signed between the European Commission, the Asylum Service of the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction and the NGO METAction-Action for migration and development. The Action, had a duration of twelve (12) months and a total budget of one million, one hundred and eighty-one thousand and four hundred and forty-seven and eight nine cents (1.181.447,89) euros, is funded by 100% from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) of the European Union for dealing with urgent and specific needs.

Also, the actions of the First Reception Service and the National Centre for Social Solidarity (EKKA) of the Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, are particular important.

Meanwhile in 2015, the number of detained third country nationals under expulsion/deportation was decreased and consequently, the number of individuals who applied for asylum while they were under detention, was also decreased.

In May 2015, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) published, in the Greek language as well, a report with Information on the Countries of Origin (COI), and specifically focused on Eritrea29 and Pakistan30, aiming at providing information regarding selected topics regarding the determining of international protection status (refugee status and subsidiary protection).

25 Interview with Helen Petraki, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, President of the Committee, 28 March 2016. 26 See: http://asylo.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Press_May_2015-1.pdf 27 See: http://asylo.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/THE-REGIONAL-ASYLUM-OFFICE-OF-THESSALONIKI-BEGINS-ITS-OPERATION_GR.pdf 28 See: http://goo.gl/i5a45Y 29 See: http://bookshop.europa.eu/el/easo--pbBZ0415327/downloads/BZ-04-15-327-EN-C/BZ0415327ENC_002.pdf?FileName=BZ0415327ENC_002.pdf&SKU=BZ0415327ENC_PDF&CatalogueNumber=BZ-04-15-327-EN-C 30 See :http://bookshop.europa.eu/el/easo--pbBZ0415498/downloads/BZ-04-15-498-EN-N/BZ0415498ENN_002.pdf?FileName=BZ0415498ENN_002.pdf&SKU=BZ0415498ENN_PDF&CatalogueNumber=BZ-04-15-498-EN-N

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 The mission of the First Reception Service is the effective management of mixed migration flows,

with the inclusion of third country nationals who enter without the legal formalities in the country, in procedures of first reception, under conditions that respect their dignity.

These procedures include: recording, identification (verification of their identity and citizenship), medical examination and psychosocial support as well as informing of them regarding their rights and obligations.

In the First Reception Centres, as well as, in the Mobile Units interpretation services are provided, in order to facilitate communication of the foreigners with the personnel.

Also, the First Reception Service provides complete information to the incoming populations, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), regarding their rights and the procedures, when submitting an application for protection, and afterwards they are referred to the Asylum Service. Furthermore, interpretation service is provided in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the NGO METAction31.

Regarding the procedures for recording the incoming populations of the First Reception Service, during 2015, the process of production of documents and logging of new entries, was simplified by removing some of the questions during the recording process/registration and the line of the Police Online System in Samos, was upgraded32.

Some cases of (LGBTQI) orientation have also been rerecorded, who commonly express their desire to leave immediately from the centres, thus, the procedures to leave the reception center become more rapid, with the help of both of the First Reception Service personnel, and of the Hellenic Police officers33.

On June 24, 2015 it was successfully completed in the premises of the First Reception Service the training of the personnel of the Service on the theme/subject area: “Training/Education in the Identification and Management of Cases of Child Trafficking and in the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors”.

Organizing institution of the educational cycle was the Southeast Safe Net (SESN) (Preventing child trafficking and protecting unaccompanied minors in Greek-Turkish Borders).

In the context of analyzing the stated theme/subject area, the speakers gave special emphasis on the following issues: “Legal Framework and Unaccompanied Minors”, “Rights of Children”, “Human Trafficking”, “Trafficking of Minors”34.

A funding agreement was also signed in July 2015, between the Director of the First Reception Service and the European Commission to meet/cover the manpower needs that will support the operation of the Mobile Units (Samos and Lesvos) and of the First Reception Centres (FRC) (in Fylakio of Evros and in Moria of Lesvos) of the First Reception Service for the time period July 01, 2015 until June 30, 2016, entitled “Emergency assistance for the support of the organization, the provision of information and interpretation for the effective management of migration flows in eastern external borders”.

This emergency assistance that the First Reception Service secured, was an action funded 100% by the European Commission. It aims to substantially strengthen the management of mixed migration flows, without additional costs for the state budget. The First Reception Service secured two (2) additional funding agreements from the funds for Emergency issues from the Internal Security Fund (ISF), which were signed in December 2015; the first entitled “Administrative Strengthening of the First Reception Service” and the second entitled “Emergency assistance to strengthen the operational capacity of the First Reception Service for the management of the extreme increase of migratory flows in the Greek and European territory”.

31 Interview with George Paramanidis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 08 March 2016. 32 Interview with George Paramanidis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 08 March 2016. 33 Interview with George Paramanidis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 08 March 2016. 34 See: http://www.firstreception.gov.gr/news-detail.php?type=press&id=35

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

Institutional and Legislative Changes The Service of Management of European Programmes of Asylum, Reception and Integration

(YDEPAYE)35 was established, according to the Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) 1493/20 August 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 1856/B/27 August 2015): Structure of the Service of Management of European Programmes of Asylum, Reception and Integration (YDEPAYE) of the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction (sector of migration).

The Service36, as part of the wider programme of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) undertook the implementation of part of the functions of the Responsible Authority in the sector of first reception and the reception of asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors and the integration of third country nationals and beneficiaries of international protection under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF37). Specifically, it undertook these specific objectives:

1. The Special Objective “Asylum” and Special Objective “Integration/Legal Migration”, in the

framework of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). 2. The actions of funding to increase the capacity/capability of management of the First Reception

Service of the Special Objective “Borders” of the National Objective “National Capacity/Capability” and the coverage of operational support of this Service as included in the Special Objective “Operational Support” of the National Objective “Operational Strengthening for the Borders”, in the framework of the Internal Security Fund (ISF)/Borders and Visas.

3. The Specialization of Actions of funding of the NSRF 2014-2020 for relevant objectives (Reception, First Reception, Asylum/Integration, Legal Migration).

4. The Actions of other funding tools for relevant objectives (Reception, First Reception, Asylum/Integration, Legal Migration).

5. The Actions of emergency funding in the Framework of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF)38.

The Service of Management of European Programmes of Asylum, Reception and Integration

(YDEPAYE) may be entrusted with the administration of additional actions in the framework of other programmes regarding Asylum, Migration and Integration of third country nationals, according to par. 7 of Art. 9 of Law 4332/2015.

Moreover, the Executive Structure of National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF)39 was

established, according to the Official Government Gazette (OGG) no. 2161/07 October 2015, “System of Management and Control of the Funds of Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and Internal Security Fund (ISF40) for the programming period 2014-2020”.

The Executive Structure of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) of the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction of the sector of Internal Affairs, designated in order to:

- Supervise the implementation, monitoring of policies of Asylum, Migration, Integration and

35 Law 4332/2015, Article 9, see: http://www.synigoros.gr/resources/4332.pdf 36 See: Hellenic Ministry of State/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Finance/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1377: Budgetary objectives and consequences of refugee flows (November 24, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of State/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Finance/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/cNDJpS, accessed: December 20, 2015). 37 See: http://goo.gl/w6sXiY 38 See: European Commission (2015) EU Funding for Migration and Security: How It Works. Brussels: European Commission. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/docs/20150814_funds_amif_fsi_el.pdf 39 Official Government Gazette (OGG) no. 2161/07 October 2015, see: http://goo.gl/5ueeAK 40 See: http://goo.gl/ExRqoe

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 Internal Security for the programming period 2014-2020.

- Coordinate and monitor issues related to National, European and International policies for the policy of Asylum, Migration, Integration and Internal Security.

- Collaborate with the Commission and the responsible authorities of the other Member-States. - Submit a proposal to the European Commission for the national programme of the Asylum,

Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF). - Support the mission and work of the Monitoring Committee of the National Programme of the

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF) and make recommendations accordingly etc.

Furthermore, already since mid-year 2015, the amendment of the Presidential Decree 113/2013

“Establishing a joint identification process for foreigners and stateless individuals with refugee status or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection in compliance with the Directive 2005/85/EC regarding minimum specifications of the procedures in Member-States for granting and withdrawing refugee status (Law 326/13 December 2005) and other provisions” (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 146/14 June 2013) has been processed, in order to incorporate the new modified/amended provisions of the recast of the Directive (Directive 2013/32/EU).

By the end of the year (2015), the consultation process regarding the new draft of the Presidential Decree, which brings important changes in the process of the examination of the asylum applications in second instance/degree, at the stage of appeal (Articles 25-28) had already been completed and its publication is expected within the first months of 2016. Jurisprudence The Asylum Service was established with Law 3907/2011 and is the first specialized structure in the country, which is competent to examine and to adjudicate regarding applications for asylum and international protection, generally.

The objective of the Service, according to the law, is the implementation of the national legislation and to abide by the international obligations of the country, regarding the recognition of the status of the refugee and, more generally, granting asylum and other forms of international protection to foreigners, who have fled from their country due to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, participation in a particular social group or political beliefs/ideas, and who are unable or, owing to this fear, they are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country/do not wish to return in their country.

As the law provides, the Asylum Service receives, examines and decides on the basis of national legislation and international obligations of the country for the asylum applications that are made/submitted in Greece. The Asylum Service also contributes to the designing/formation of the national policy regarding international protection and to the cooperation with international organizations and the European Union in the areas of its activity.

Developments in 2015 were: • The Open Structure of Hospitality/Reception of asylum applicants/seekers, vulnerable

groups of third country nationals, was established at Eleonas in Attica, according to the Official Government Gazette (OGG) 2065/Β΄/18 September 2015.

• The working hours of the Prefectural/Regional Asylum Offices were set in 2015, according to the Official Government Gazette (OGG) no. 2496/19 November 201541.

Further developments on the national jurisprudence regarding the sector of asylum are expected to take place in 201642.

41 Interview with Petraki Helen, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, President of the Committee, 28 March 2016. 42 See: http://www.minocp.gov.gr/asylo.php?option=ozo_content&perform=view&id=3779&Itemid=465&lang=&lang=EN and http://asylo.gov.gr/en/?page_id=39

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Annual Policy Report 2015

Efficiency and Quality Concerning the efficiency and quality of the national asylum system, regarding the age assessment

of the applicants, the Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) no. 1982/15 February 2016 was issued for the minority assessment, via psychological examination and medic al checkup, and guidelines for the personnel of the Asylum Service for the implementation of the Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA), are being developed43.

Regarding the identification/verification of the identity/nationality, concerning certain nationalities there is doubt/controversy, e.g. for nationalities with low recognition rates, the spoken language is a problem in identifying the country of origin, if the same language is spoken in more than one country. In order to address this issue, an important factor is the employee who handles the case (operator) and his/her training. A tool of the employee who handles the case (operator) in order to determine/verify the nationality are the questionnaires that he/she gives to the asylum seekers.

The false/counterfeit documents are also a challenge for the Asylum Service. To deal with false documents, infrared “scanning” machines for the detection of false documents were received by the Asylum Service. The process for the unfounded applications is not particularly problematic, as specific investigations are conducted. The reliability of the application that the employee (operator) handles, is a crucial part of the process.

Passports are more difficult to be forged than other documents, much less the birth certificates, and in this process the Forensic Science Division of the Hellenic Police contributes. The credibility of the process depends on the employee who handles the case (operator). There are internal criteria, i.e., if the data/assertions that the applicant gives are coherent and if during the interview there is consistency to what he/she states. The external criteria of reliability are related to the information for the countries of origin that are known to the employee who handles the case (operator) and are compared to the information that the applicant provides44.

There were no specific developments regarding new technologies, during 2015. Since the beginning of its operations the Asylum Service has had a complete system of electronic files. The processes of recording and interviewing do not require any special technological means/equipment. Regarding the applicants who come from Syria, a fast track process is followed and within a day the decision is announced. Furthermore, the Asylum Service uses the Police Online System, which is a bit slow and has capacity issues45.

Appeals

The Appeals Authority is consisted/composed by the Appeals Committees, which are independent

institutions/bodies regarding their judgment/decision and are not connected with/related to the first instance, and their composition and functioning is in accordance with the European legislation. For the year 2015, the Committees operated since June 2013, 2014 and until September 2015. Since September 25, 2015 and until the end of the year, the Appeals Committees do not operate.

The Appeals Authority of the Asylum Service processes the applications, and until the appeals are considered/judged, it records the applications, classifies them and are being processed by the committees. The processing and evaluation is conducted at first place by the rapporteurs of the Appeals Authority, who have expertise in law, social sciences, human rights etc. A scientific work/study is carried out during the examination of the appeals, regarding their administrative composition/formation, which has been followed by the process of the first instance, and afterwards an examination/analysis on the issues of the Geneva Convention is conducted, on whether the applicant is a beneficiary of protection status, or not.

The examination process is, more or less, consistent with the examination which has been conducted in the first instance examination process, that is to say, presumably are cancelled appeals of

43 Interview with Petraki Helen, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, President of the Committee, 28 March 2016. 44 Interview with Hall Edward Albert, Department of Certification, Training and Quality, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 03 March 2016. 45 Interview with Hall Edward Albert, Department of Certification, Training and Quality, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 03 March 2016.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 around 10%-12%, a percentage rate within the standards of the European Union. This means that the second instance examination process, validates the decisions of the first instance at 85%-88%. One issue during the second instance examination is the administrative procedure that is followed, therefore, a strict control is carried out, and during the year of 2015, there was close communication with the first instance department, in order to avoid the cases of referred back decisions to the first instance examination, due to administrative errors.

During the nine (9) months of 2015, where the Appeals Committees were active for the reference year, the operations are characterized as really good, the goal-achievement set was near to 95%-98%, regarding the processing/handling of the appeals within the specified time provided by law, and concerning the quality, that the decisions were perfect/well-structured. The results regarding the quality of the second instance examination are derived from statistics that are presented for the procedure of the second instance examination.

No increase of the cost incurred during 2015, as the process is not costly, and besides, no new technologies are being used, the equipment, the means and procedures are the same, since the beginning of the operation of the Appeals Authority. The technologies used by the Appeals Authority, is of high national and European standards, e.g. the use of teleconferences, the online platform of the Greek Police for asylum, the use of personal computers by each employee for direct access to data, online interpretations, etc.

The speed and quality of the operations/work, not only for the Appeals Authority but for all the departments of the Asylum Service is a goal, they are taken as granted and are applied in the context of the Common European Asylum System for all Member-States. The small percentage that deviates from the goal of 100%, that is to say the percentage of delays, is mainly due to other factors, e.g. such as the difficulty, at some times, in finding/contacting the foreigner because he/she has his/her cell phone deactivated.

The Appeals Committees exhausted all possibilities so as to complete all the applications without delays. During the second year of the operations of the Appeals Authority, i.e. from September 2014 until September 2015, approximately four thousand and eight hundred (4.800) applications have been examined, that is to say, from January 2015 until September 2015, approximately, three thousand (3.000) applications were examined46. The Appeals Committees have not been reconstituted for the current period, as a change is about to take place in the structure of the Appeals Authority47. Challenges in the Asylum Field

The challenges in the sector of asylum, with regard to the First Reception Service, especially in

2015, were the increased incoming population flows in addition to lack of the understaffing of the Service48.

Regarding the Asylum Service, there was an issue of access of the applicants/seekers, mainly in the Regional Office of Attica, but also in other offices as well49. Also, the presence of the interpreters of all languages was not on a daily basis. However, in 2015, the asylum applications in Greece decreased, and other prefectural/regional offices and autonomous/independent asylum units/departments began their operation, the divisions were reinforced with personnel, such as the unit in Mytilene and it is planned that many more will be reinforced, such as the units in Crete, Leros and Patras. Moreover, the use of Skype in 2015 was a technological development that helps to schedule the appointments for an interview and the applicants do have to wait in a queue. However, the access to the Asylum Service can be further improved50.

46 Interview with Koletta Lamprini, Director of the Appeals Authority, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 05 March 2016. 47 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 371: Cutting-off and removal of the institutional role and the responsibilities of experts/rapporteurs of the Refugee Authority (October 19, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/1pNhxB, accessed: December 20, 2015). 48 Interview with George Paramanidis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 08 March 2016. 49 Interview with Helen Petraki, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, President of the Committee, 28 March 2016. 50 Interview with Hall Edward Albert, Department of Certification, Training and Quality, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 03 March 2016.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 Another issue that the Asylum Service must manage is the relocation process, which requires

additional personnel. In general, the Asylum Service is understaffed. To address this problem, additional personnel are hired with fixed/short-term contracts/temporary under European funding. In 2016, it is planned that employees of the Municipal Police will be utilized, who completed their training at early 2016. Finally, an achievement of the Asylum Service was the management of “backlog”, that is to say of the pending cases, which was dealt completely, therefore, there are no pending cases from the old system51.

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) offered support to the personnel of the Asylum Service via training programs. Also, the instructors are certified by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). Moreover, the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Greece is very important, as this International Organization is providing material and human resources. Nearly, the total cost of the operational budget of the Asylum Service, comes from European funds or donations52.

The challenges faced by the First Reception Service for 2015, were the number of incoming flows of foreigners and their management, due to understaffing of the units, the lack of resources and bureaucracy53.

Achievements of the First Reception Service for 2015, were two funding programs, as well as, the hiring of fifty two (52) individuals via the European Programme of Internal Security Fund (ISF). Furthermore, on December 15, the (2) two-year programme entitled “Strengthening of the operation of the Mobile Units of First Reception”, was completed. Furthermore, three (3) new programmes from the funds for Emergency issues from the Internal Security Fund (ISF) began and are being implemented, regarding the hiring and staffing of the prefectural/regional units, for services of interpretation and psychological support, with the hiring of personnel with fixed/short-term/temporary contracts54.

In the management of the large volume of refugee flows in Greece, the services of Prefectures, the services of Municipalities, the Hellenic Coastguard55, the Hellenic Police, hospitals and structures of the network of healthcare, the competent services of the central government, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs)56, civil society institutions57, foundations, institutions and volunteer organizations, while the initiatives, actions58, provisions59, new infrastructures and procedures to address the phenomenon could be presented as follows:

(a) The search/identification and rescue of irregular entering foreigners is performed/carried out by

the Hellenic Coast Guard60. (b) The establishment/creation and support, through the relevant provisions and connections in

networks, of the new facilities of reception and hosting for refugees and immigrants. (c) The recording and identification of irregular entering foreigners and the safeguarding of public

order are accomplished by the Hellenic Police61.

51 Interview with Hall Edward Albert, Department of Certification, Training and Quality, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 03 March 2016. 52 Interview with Hall Edward Albert, Department of Certification, Training and Quality, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 03 March 2016. 53 Interview with George Paramanidis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 08 March 2016. 54 Interview with George Paramanidis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 08 March 2016. 55 Greece and especially the Hellenic Coast Guard within the context of its competences for the management of the external sea borders of the European Union has to deal with the continuously increasing migration flows of third country nationals. (Information and data provided by the Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism). 56 See: Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Finance/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1412: Urgent need to control the action of certain NGOs involved in the refugee issue (November 25, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Finance/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/UmZVW5, accessed: December 20, 2015). 57 See: http://www.gcr.gr/index.php/el/action/gcr-projects/2015/item/518-fighting-the-refugee-crisis-in-athens 58 See: http://gcr.gr/index.php/el/action/gcr-projects/2015/item/449-ypodoxi-neoafixthenton-aitoynton-asylo 59 See: http://gcr.gr/index.php/en/action/gcr-projects/2015/item/453-provision-of-legal-assistance-to-persons-in-need-of-international-protection-found-in-detention/453-provision-of-legal-assistance-to-persons-in-need-of-international-protection-found-in-detention 60 See: Hellenic Ministry of Mercantile Marine and Island Policy/Hellenic Ministry of National Defense/Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 757: Allegations for armed attacks on refugee boats (November 2, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Mercantile Marine and Island Policy/Hellenic Ministry of National Defense/Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/h2bkgH, accessed: December 20, 2015). 61 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1795: More strict measures during the identification process of refugees (December 9, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/1CWuCm, accessed: January 3, 2015).

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Annual Policy Report 2015 (d) The provision of health services is performed/carried out by hospitals, primary structures, but

also volunteer organizations, in order to address the health problems of refugees and migrants62. (e) The provision of basic necessities/essential supplies (food, clothing, sanitation supplies, etc.)

and the further/individual configuration/formation of the living conditions in temporary/open infrastructures of reception/hospitality (chemical toilets, waste bins, etc.)63.

(f) The provision of a broad range of services from the services and the administrative and technical personnel of the Municipalities and Prefectures (cleaning, administrative issues, infrastructure maintenance, etc.).

(g) The transfer of refugees and migrants both within the islands and in the mainland of Greece64. These are actions and services with very high administrative and organizational requirements due

to their enormous intensity, in comparison with local societies and infrastructures, but with high fiscal cost65, as the costs/expenditures for constructing new infrastructures of reception/hosting66 and hospitality and detention, the costs/expenditures for basic provisions of hospitality/accommodation67 and living/subsistence (food, water, etc.), the costs/expenditures for maintenance of infrastructures, the costs/expenditures for the high operating cost of all the above mentioned activities68, the costs/expenditures of medical care and hospitalization of incoming populations etc., are increasing, while the state is found in deep recession69.

62 See: Hellenic Ministry of Health/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1325: The vaccination of refugees for polio is necessary. The full funding of the vaccination programme by the European Union is a prerequisite (November 20, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Health/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/FWDWDI, accessed: December 20, 2015). 63 See: Hellenic Ministry of Health/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 182: The General Council of the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY) gives a resolution with its demands regarding the shutting down of concentration camps, the release of all unjustly detained refugees, the claim of asylum, housing and access to all Healthcare and Education (April 2, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/KbntiG, accessed: December 20, 2015). 64 See: Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism (2015) Impact of Refugee Flows on the Aegean Islands – Summary Report. (September 17, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism (in Greek). Available at: http://www.mindev.gov.gr/el/images/docs/Final_Report_-_17SEP2015.pdf 65 See: Hellenic Ministry of State/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1686: The management of the refugee/immigrant issue cannot be done on the basis of the logic of an NGO because it is a matter that concerns directly the State (December 4, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of State/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/zKCVcx, accessed: December 20, 2015). 66 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Finance/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1733: Amount of expenditures and funding for the management of migration and refugee flows, operation and financing of Hot Spots (December 8, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Finance/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/zmwy4Z, accessed: December 20, 2015). 67 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Finance/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1733: Amount of expenditures and funding for the management of migration and refugee flows, operation and financing of Hot Spots (December 8, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Finance/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/zmwy4Z, accessed: December 20, 2015). 68 See: European Commission (2015) Final Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council Progress Report on the Implementation of the Hotspots in Greece – 15.12.2015 Com(2015) 678. Strasbourg: European Commission. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/securing-eu-borders/legal-documents/docs/communication_-_progress_report_on_the_implementation_of_the_hotspots_in_greece_en.pdf 69 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its report on the economic repercussions of the increase of migratory flows in Europe, estimated that the financial/fiscal cost for Greece for 2015 regarding the management of the refugees, reached the percentage of 0.17% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (about three hundred (300) million euros). See: https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/sdn/2016/sdn1602.pdf

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Annual Policy Report 2015

Participation in the activities of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO)

The Special Support Plan of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), which was signed on May 13, 201570 determines the terms and the objectives of the provision of technical and operational support of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to Greece and defines the terms and for the participation of the country in them.

Upon request of the Hellenic State and given the particular pressure in which Greece is subjected to, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) provides emergency support to Greece, in order to support the Asylum Service, the First Reception Service, the Appeals Authority, the reception of groups of vulnerable individuals, the reduction of pending cases of provision of international protection, especially in second instance/degree and the efficient absorption of the funds of the European Union.

During this period of time, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) provided support to Greece in a series of sectors of priority, such as: the absorption of the funds of the European Union and other financial resources/funds, the designing/planning/elaboration and implementation of plans/projects, the training of the personnel of the competent Hellenic services in the context of the programme of training of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), the procedures of “Dublin III”, information regarding the country of origin, the establishment/creation of an effective system of guardianship and the transliteration/ transcription of interviews71.

The utilization of experts from the Member-States of the European Union and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) via teams of support of Asylum of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), have been a key element for the implementation of this action of provision emergency assistance, in conjunction with the solidarity and the co-operation of the European Commission72, the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Greece and other institutions involved.

The actors came to the conclusion that there is need for: additional training of the personnel, the establishment/creation of an effective system of guardianship for unaccompanied minors, particularly in the context of the procedure of granting asylum, the improvement of the quality of the procedures of asylum and reception, as well as, better management of the supplementary, to the national budget, funding.

In light of the above, the Executive Director of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) decided on May 13, 2015, to provide special support to Greece, via the provision of expertise from the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and the Member-States, until the end of 2016.

In May 2015, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and Greece concluded to a cooperation agreement and each contracting party appointed a Programme Officer, a Programme Manager and Evaluation Coordinators in the view of the implementation of the Special Support Plan of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to Greece.

The contribution of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) is of utmost importance to the provision of support to the Asylum Service, regarding the training sector, as well as, and in the sector of the provision of information on the Countries of Origin (COI) of the applicants.

Actions have implemented/materialized, such as the publications of handbooks/manuals for these countries. The support in this sector is expected to be intensified in the future, as networks of experts from all the European countries, for all the countries of origin of the applicants, have already been established/formed.

The Hellenic Asylum Service has a team of experts on Afghanistan. In 2015 a security report for Afghanistan was republished and security reports were republished for Iran, Syria and Iraq. The action of

70 See: https://easo.europa.eu/wp-content/uploads/EASO_SPECIAL-SUPPORT-PLAN-TO-GREECE_MAY_2015.pdf 71 See: http://asylo.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/EASO_press-release-SPP-EL.pdf 72 See: European Commission (2015) Funding in the Areas of Migration and Border Management. Brussels: European Commission. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-migration/background-information/docs/funding_country_sheet_el_en.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and the involvement of the Hellenic Asylum Service will be strengthened in joint European procedures regarding information on the Countries of Origin (COI).

The Hellenic Asylum Service also participates in corresponding networks regarding the quality, that have been established and coordinated by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), which publish reports on the quality of the asylum procedures, practices that the European countries apply, by sector.

Also, the personnel of the Hellenic Asylum Service participate in the network of the departments of training of the Services of Asylum in the European Union, which has been established and coordinated by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). Also, trained trainers, certified by the Hellenic Asylum Service, will be integrated in the trainers pool/list of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO)73.

The Special Support Plan of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) for 2015, included the preparation and training of personnel working in the First Reception Service and at the Department for the Protection of Refugees and Asylum Seekers for the supervision and management of the process of reception and of the open structures/facilities of accommodation.

Main objectives were: the strengthening of the capability of the personnel of the Asylum Service, the Appeals Authority, the First Reception Service and the Department for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups, Refugees-Asylum Seekers74 through the Educational Programme of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), and also, the improvement of the skills/capabilities of trainers in order to provide training to their colleagues.

The educational conferences of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) were provided online and supplemented by meeting/sessions requiring physical presence, which took place either in Malta in the context of the training/preparation of the trainers, or in Greece as part of the trainings.

Selected themes/subject areas included: Integration, Interviewing Techniques, Evaluation/Assessment of Documents, Fundamental Rights and International Protection within the European Union, Educational Units/Modules of Reception for Senior Executives in the Asylum sector and in other areas upon request.

Training sessions of trainers of the Asylum Service and the Appeals Authority: Five (5) actions/ten

(10) trainees/four (4) calendar days. Training sessions of trainers of the Reception Service: four (4) actions/eight (8) trainees/four (4)

calendar days. Training sessions of trainers of the Department for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups, Refugees-

Asylum Seekers: one (1) action/three (3) trainees/four (4) calendar days. National Educational Plan: six (6) actions/eight (8) experts (trainers)/three (3) calendar days. The training sessions of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) were planned for November

and December of 2015. Experts utilized/engaged in all relevant Ministries/Departments, depending on the specific needs of

Hellenic involved parties and the experience of appointed experts. The experts had the tasks of coordination regarding: gathering of information, ensuring of “complementarity”, avoiding duplicate entries and enhancing of effective communication.

The Hellenic Asylum Service operates as an independent Authority and staffed by public sector personnel which has been trained in the context of the education programme of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). The Asylum Service has one hundred and six (176) employees, as provided by the Law 3907/2011, five (5) Prefectural/Regional Asylum Offices and four (4) mobile units of Asylum Provision, which have the necessary equipment as well as services of interpretation.

Greece has come forward/proceeded to substantial reforms, despite the austerity measures, regarding the procedure for granting and revoking of the status of international protection at first instance and at second instance/degree75.

73 Interview with Hall Edward Albert, Department of Certification, Training and Quality, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 03 March 2016. 74 Department for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups, Refugees-Asylum Seekers/Responsible Authority of European Refugee Fund (ERF), Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, Directorate of Social Solidarity 75 See: http://asylo.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/EASO_press-release-SPP-EL.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 Moreover, regarding the activities related to the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and other

training programmes, the First Reception Service: - Sent three (3) employees to Malta, in November 2015, (November 10-13, 2015) in order to

participate in a training seminar entitled “Train the trainer session in Reception module”. - Held a study visit of five (5) employees in facilities of receptions of migrants in Norway, following

an invitation of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) in March 2015. During the visit, meetings related to the practices for the determination the age of migrants, were also held.

- One (1) employee (of the First Reception Service) participated in the seminar regarding the coordination and management a camp of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) from November 15, 2015 until November 20, 2015 in the city of Lebring in Austria.

- One (1) employee (of the First Reception Service) participated in the Forum regarding the relocation and resettlement of refugees which was held in Brussels from September 30, 2015 until October 2, 2015.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

Provision of support by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to the Member-States

In May 2015 an agreement was signed between the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and Greece for the continuation of the provision of support from the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to Greece, until May 2016, in the context of the progress, which was achieved in the context of support that the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) provides to Greece since 2011 (based on the Operational Plan – Phase I and Phase II). In particular, upon request of Greece, for the provision of support aiming at the further improvement of the system of asylum and reception of Greece, the Executive Director of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) decided the provision of special support to Greece by experts of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and the Member-States, with the duration of one (1) year at least.

During the period of implementation of the new plan, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) will support Greece on a series of sectors of priority, such as the absorption of European Union funds and of other financial resources, the designing/planning/elaboration and implementation of plans/projects, education/training of personnel of the competent Hellenic services in the context of the programme of training of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), the procedures of “Dublin III”, information regarding the country of origin, the establishment/creation of an effective system of guardianship and the transliteration/transcription of interviews. As regards to the reception, the monitoring of the provision of services and the improvement of the quality of the procedure of reception, these actions will be supported.

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) coordinates the units of special support that are operating in Greece and collaborates closely with the Hellenic State, the European Commission Task Force for Greece76, the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other institutions involved.

In 2015, two (2) technical advisory/consultative missions from the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) have been sent to Greece, regarding the provision of information on the Countries of Origin (COI) of the applicants.

Also, reports-factsheets of information for countries (Country Factsheets Information) for seven (7) countries of origin of applicants, in the Greek language, were published by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), in 2015. The reports regarding Iraq, Syria, Iran and Nigeria, were rewritten/reworked from scratch, by experts who were recruited by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and other Member-States. These Reports-factsheets of information, are being used in lectures and workshops. Relevant lectures are about to take place in Thessaloniki as well.

Moreover, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) participates and into the relocation processes77. The support that is provided by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to Greece according to the Special Support Plan ends in May 201678. Relocation

The Hellenic State, in accordance with its commitments within the framework of the decisions of the European Council, is implementing the system of relocation, which is aligned with the principles of the determination of common European solutions for the dramatic experiences of refugees, that will be based on solidarity among the Member-States and the acknowledgement that the designing/shaping/planning of an effective migration policy, far from extreme and xenophobic perceptions, is a common responsibility.

Regarding the relocation programme, the Asylum Service has developed a cooperation with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and signed a support plan, especially for the implementation of the programme.

76 See: http://ec.europa.eu/about/taskforce-greece/index_en.htm 77 Interview with Hall Edward Albert, Department of Certification, Training and Quality, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 03 March 2016. 78 See: http://asylo.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/EASO_press-release-SPP-EL.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 The Support Plan includes the provision of support by experts of the European Asylum Support

Office (EASO), on the dissemination of information regarding the procedures of relocation, at all points of entry and first reception of third country nationals, and at the offices of the Asylum Service.

It is also included the provision of support: to the procedure of identification of the nationality of the applicants for relocation, on issues of reasons for possible exclusion from the procedure of relocation, as well as to the procedure of the identification/determination of the authenticity of the documents that are submitted by the applicants.

The costs/expenditures related to the recruitment of personnel as well as to the provision of equipment, are covered via the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).

The relocation programme is a collective procedure which includes many partners, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Hellenic Police, the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is responsible for the transfer of the relocated third country nationals to their destination, for the reservation of the tickets, their medical examination, and also provides to them pre-departure orientation/consultation, in the context of the Agreement of Implementation, which the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has signed with the Asylum Service. All cooperations are bilateral, between the Asylum Service and each partner.

The cooperation between the Member-States, is described in the two (2) Decisions of the European Council, regarding the establishment/adoption of temporary measures in the sector of international protection in favor of Italy and of Greece, the Decision no. 1523/2015 and the Decision no. 1601/2015.

Furthermore, some countries such as, Norway, Switzerland and Ireland have not signed these Decisions. Greece is in the process of signing a bilateral agreement with them, following the procedures that are specified in the Decisions79.

The Member-States have agreed to support Greece with the relocation of sixty-six thousand and four hundred (66.400) individuals in need of international protection. However, the number of beneficiaries is small. The first flight was carrying only thirty (30) asylum seekers from Greece in Luxembourg on November 4, 2015 under the supervision of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Until December 31, 2015, eighty two (82) third country nationals were relocated from Greece to other countries of the European Union80.

Only nine (9) Member-States had offered places to Greece for relocations of populations, by providing three hundred five (305) places of relocation, while fourteen (14) Member-States had appointed Representatives in order to support the process, until the December 15, 2015.

This first, pilot relocation of refugees highlights the advantages of the programme, since it ensures for the families of the refuges a safe and legal passage to other Member-States of the European Union81.

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) is expected to continue and to intensify the provision of support to Greece and Italy, in the coming months, regarding issues of relocation and other asylum issues82.

79 Interview with Nasika Zoi, Deputy Head of the Independent Unit of Asylum, Relocation, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 28 March 2016. 80 See: http://asylo.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Relocation-procedures-up-to-24.4.16_gr.pdf 81 See: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6324_en.htm 82 See: https://easo.europa.eu/wp-content/uploads/EL_PRESS-RELEASE-EASO-supports-the-relocation-process-from-Greecefinal.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 Resettlement

Resettlement is a complex issue and the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs is involved as coordinator. The Hellenic Police and the Hellenic Ministry of Migration Policy have the main responsibility83. However, no resettlement was implemented in 201584. Enhance the capacity of the countries of origin and transit for the management of mixed migration flows

The Asylum Service participates in the operations of the Regional Development and Protection Programmes (RDPPs) of North Africa and the Horn of Africa.

Furthermore, in late 2014, Albania set out the goal to improve the operation of the Asylum Service, according to European standards.

The responsible Service of European Commission for the accession of Albania to the European Union85, asked from the Hellenic Asylum Service, to host three (3) high level officials from Albanian services involved in asylum, in order to transfer to them its expertise/know-how, regarding the operation of the Asylum Service. Two (2) officers from the Hellenic Asylum Service undertook this task and conducted workshops for the dissemination of information to their Albanian counterparts86, 87.

83 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 586: Residence of 50.000 refugees in Greece (October 27, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/w5g2Zk, accessed: December 20, 2015). 84 Interview with Nikolopoulos Leonidas, Expert-Advisor A΄, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09 March 2016. 85 See: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/tenders/taiex/index_en.htm 86 Interview with Hall Edward Albert, Department of Certification, Training and Quality, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 03 March 2016. 87 Interview with Helen Petraki, Asylum Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, President of the Committee, 28 March 2016.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 4. UNACCOMPANIED MINORS AND OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS Referring also to section I.1 and I.2 of the introduction to these specifications, outline all developments in your (Member) State in relation to unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable groups. Pointers for specific issues for this section relevant to national audiences and based on previous national reports might include developments associated with: Unaccompanied minors (seeking asylum) Unaccompanied minors NOT seeking asylum Other vulnerable groups

The Presidential Decree 113/201388 (Article 11, Paragraph 3), Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) 1982, 15 February 201689 determines the procedures for the minority assessment, according to which the First Reception Service is following institutionalized procedures for the age assessment of minors among the incoming populations.

The necessary health and psychological tests/examinations are carried out by the competent personnel, and an interview in the language spoken by the interviewee is conducted, in order to issue an act regarding the age determination. In 2015, a programme in cooperation with the NGO METAction for the escorting of minors, mainly of girls and boys under the age of 15 years, was implemented90.

On June 24, 2015 the training of the personnel of the First Reception Service on the on the theme/subject area: “Training/Education in the Identification and Management of Cases of Child Trafficking and in the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors”, was successfully completed in the premises of the First Reception Service.

Organizing institution of the educational cycle was the Southeast Safe Net (SESN) (Preventing child trafficking and protecting unaccompanied minors in Greek-Turkish Borders).

In the context of analysis of the theme/subject area referred, the speakers/rapporteurs gave particular emphasis to the following issues:

- Legal framework and Unaccompanied Minors, - Rights of Children, - Human Trafficking, - Trafficking of Minors, - Health problems in human trafficking victims, - Minority assessment, - Process of identification of minors, victims of human trafficking, - Interview with minors. The participation of the First Reception Service in this educational process demonstrates the

acknowledgment/recognition of the importance of continuous training and of the awareness raising/sensitization of the personnel on issues related to the management of mixed migration flows, and particularly regarding the issue of the Unaccompanied Minors.

In November 2015, the first results of the innovative programme “Guardianship Network for Unaccompanied Minors” (GNUM) which is implemented by the NGO METAction and aimed at offering individualized/personalized support and at safeguarding the rights of unaccompanied children, were presented by the NGO METAction91. The main objective of the project is the effective implementation in practice of the role of the Guardian in the sector of the protection and exercise of the rights of children as well as the safeguarding of their basic needs92.

88 See: http://www.synigoros.gr/resources/docs/pd113.pdf 89 See: https://www.lawspot.gr/nomikes-plirofories/nomothesia/kya-1982-1522016/arthro-koini-ypoyrgiki-apofasi-1982-1522016 90 Interview with George Paramanidis, First Reception Service of the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 08 March 2016. 91 See: http://www.epitropeia.org/?q=en/node/61 92 See: http://www.epitropeia.org/?q=en/project

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 It is estimated that thousands of children arrive in Greece alone, having lost their parents or having

been separated from them, from countries where violence and conflicts prevail, such as Syria and Afghanistan93.

The first thirteen (13), specially trained members of the “Guardianship Network for Unaccompanied Minors” (GNUM), in Athens, Lesbos, Samos and Orestiada, undertook a total of two hundred and fifty six (256) children (150% more than the target that was set), thirty eight (38) girls and two hundred and eighteen (218) boys, aged from six (6) months to eighteen (18) years, during the seven (7) months of operation of the network, and carried out/performed 3.072 actions, concerning mainly meetings with children94. The Programme ended on November 30, 201595.

The project was funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway under the Programme “We are all Citizens”96, which is part of the total Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA) – i.e. the so-called EEA Grants, for Greece. Fund operator of the Programme was the Bodossaki Foundation. The aims of the “We are all Citizens” Programme were to strengthen civil society and enhance the contribution of non-governmental organizations into the sectors of social justice, democracy and sustainable development97.

Other Vulnerable Groups

With the implementation of Law 3907/2011 the First Reception Service, aims to provide everything

possible, such as medical care, support and hospitality to vulnerable groups. Most of the cases encountered concern mainly single-parent families, pregnant women and unaccompanied minors98.

As referred in paragraph 25 (note 2 b) of article 8 of Law 4332/2015 to foreign nationals of third countries, provided that it is about minors, the custody of whom is entrusted with Decision/Judgment of a Hellenic or foreign court that is recognized by the Hellenic Authorities, to families of Greeks or families of third country nationals with permanent residence in the country or who are in adoption proceedings before the Hellenic Authorities, after a physical presence and relevant interview, a national entry visa may be granted, with reference, in the area/space of national data “Remarks/Comments” of the visa sticker, of the mentioning/reference “H.1 Humanitarian Reasons – Adoptions”, if they submit to the competent Consular Authority the necessary documents, in accordance to the present law 99.

As referred in paragraph 25 (note 2 d) of article 8 of Law 4332/2015 to foreign nationals of third countries, provided that it is about minors, who are hosted in boarding houses operating under the supervision of the competent Ministries, a national entry visa may be granted, after a physical presence and relevant interview, with reference, in the area/space of national data “Remarks/Comments” of the visa sticker, of the mentioning/reference “H.2 Humanitarian Reasons – Hosting in Boarding Houses”, if they submit to the competent Consular Authority the necessary documents, in accordance to the present law

100. In March 2015, the second edition of the handbook/manual of the personnel of the First Reception

Service, regarding Vulnerable Groups101, was published, on the following themes/subject areas: - European-National Legislation - Identification and Identification Procedure - Identification of Vulnerable Groups - Possible Problems Basic Requirements for the Interview - Support-Priority - Unaccompanied Minors

93 See: http://www.epitropeia.org/?q=en/node/61 94 See: http://www.epitropeia.org/?q=en/node/61 95 See: http://www.epitropeia.org/?q=en/project 96 See: http://www.weareallcitizens.gr/the-programme_en/we-are-all-citizens.html 97 See: http://www.epitropeia.org/?q=en/node/61 98 Interview with George Paramanidis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 08 March 2016. 99 See: http://www.mfa.gr/images/docs/ethnikes_theoriseis/2015/NationalVisasHandbook_09_02_2015.doc 100 See: http://www.mfa.gr/images/docs/ethnikes_theoriseis/2015/NationalVisasHandbook_09_02_2015.doc 101 See: http://www.firstreception.gov.gr/PRImages/Prints/33_VULNERABLE_GROUPS_PRINT.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 - Persons with Disabilities and Incurable Diseases - Elderly Individuals - Pregnant Women and Postpartum Women - Single Parents with Minor Children - Torture-Human Trafficking (HT) Victims Also, in December 2015, the second edition of the handbook/manual of the personnel of the First

Reception Service, regarding the determination the age, with the assistance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (HNCHR), was published.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 5. LEGAL MIGRATION AND MOBILITY Referring also to section I.1 and I.2 of the introduction to these specifications, outline all developments in your (Member) State in relation to legal/managed migration and mobility of third-country nationals. Pointers for specific issues for this section relevant to national audiences and based on previous national reports might include developments associated with: Economic migration Family reunification Students and researchers Other aspects of legal migration Integration, naturalisation and citizenship Managing migration, including visa policy and Schengen Governance.

Economic migration

The Hellenic State adopted, in 2015, a series of ministerial decisions and established a new

legislative framework, regarding the employment of third country nationals, in Greece, but at the same time, to meet the domestic labour market needs102103. Specifically:

- Law 4332/2015 was established, according to the Official Government Gazette (OGG) no. 76 A΄/ 09 July 2015, which among others amended the provisions of the Migration and Social Integration Code (Law 4521/2014) for the adaptation of Greek legislation to the directives of European Parliament and Council 2011/98/EU, concerning the joint procedure of application submission for granting, to third country nationals, a joint residence and work permit104 in the territory of a Member-State and regarding the common set of rights for workers from third countries, who are residing legally in a Member-State and of the Directive 2014/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, about the preconditions of entry and residence of third country nationals for the purpose of seasonal work105.

- The Joint Ministerial Decision (ΚΥA) no. 6855/105/19 February 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 250 B΄) was published, regarding the determination of the maximum number of residence permits for seasonal work and as fishermen, third country nationals for the years 2015 and 2016.

- Law 4251/2014 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) A΄ 80), with which the existing legislation on Migration and Social Integration was codified, in the Article 11 is defined the procedure by which invitations of foreign workers are made in Greece for work (dependent work/paid employment, seasonal work, fishermen and highly skilled work)106. In application of this particular provision the Decision no. 24990/366/04 June 2015, of the Hellenic Ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism and Labour, Social Security and Welfare was published, regarding the determination of the maximum number of residence permits for work of third country nationals for the years 2015 and 2016, which has been published in the Government Gazette in the Official Government Gazette (OGG) B’/1092 (10 June 2015)107.

- The Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) no. 53404/05 August 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 1699 B΄) was published, regarding the determination of the referral reasons in the Committees of

102 European Migration Network (2015) Ad-Hoc Query on Asylum Seekers Integration to Labour Market. Requested by EE NCP on 8th January 2015. Compilation Produced on 5th March 2015. Brussels: European Migration Network/European Commission. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/networks/european_migration_network/reports/docs/ad-hoc-queries/integration/2015.645_emn_ahq_on_asylum_seekers_integration_labour_market_wider_diss_updated.pdf 103 See: Marouda, M.-D., Saranti, V., Koutsouraki, E. and Papaioannou, M. (2015) Determining Labour Shortages and the Need for Labour Migration from Third Countries in the EU. EMN Focussed Study 2015. Athens: Institute of International Relations (IIR)/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction and Brussels: European Migration Network (EMN)/European Commission. Available at: http://goo.gl/n8qAyK (in English) and http://goo.gl/ZOjQGo (in Greek). 104 ECRE/GCR (eds.) (2015) Country Report: Greece. Final Report November 2015 - Asylum Information Database (AIDA) (Edited by ECRE). Brussels: Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)/European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE). Available at: http://www.asylumineurope.org/sites/default/files/report-download/aida_gr_update.iv_.pdf 105 See: http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/24e0c302-6021-4a6b-b7e4-8259e281e5f3/nomos4332-090715.pdf 106 Interview with Nerantzis George, Head of the Department of Support of Workers Abroad and Employment of Immigrants in Greece, Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, 03 March 2016. 107 See: http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/kya24990-040615.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 paragraph 1 of the article 134 of Law 4251/2014, as in force.

- The Joint Ministerial Decision (ΚΥΑ) no. 61227/18 September 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 2050 B΄) was published, regarding the extension of validity of the Joint Ministerial Decision (ΚΥΑ) no. 51738/2014 (2947 B΄).

- The Joint Ministerial Decision (ΚΥΑ) no. 61221/18 September 2015 (Official Gazette of the Hellenic Government 2050 B΄) was published, regarding the determination of the category of residence permits of third country nationals who enter in Greece for studies in music educational institutions recognized by the state, which have concluded a contract of cooperation with the Higher Educational Institutes abroad, which are recognized in Greece.

- The Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) no. 68019/21 January 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 2272 B΄) was published, regarding the modification of the no. 30825/2014 Joint Decision of the Ministers of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction and Foreign Affairs: “Specifying of documents required for issuing national visas of entry and the granting and renewal of a residence title/permit in accordance with the provisions of Law 4251/2014”.

- The Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) no. 53619/735/25 November 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) B΄ 2631) was published, regarding the determination of the terms and preconditions for the access, in the labour market from the country, of third country nationals who reside in the country under the status of deferral of expulsion/deportation from the country.

Social Dumping

Οn August 2015, the Law Draft of the Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare

submitted to the Hellenic Parliament for consultation, in order to ratify the revised European Social Charter of the Council of Europe, which is the most comprehensive international convention on the protection of social rights. The draft Law was passed on January 14, 2016108.

Greece has already signed the Revised European Social Charter since May 3, 1996. The ratification of the Revised Charter enhances the level of legal protection provided in the field of social policy, and demonstrates the interest of Greece in the field of human rights protection. The rights protected under the European Social Charter are divided in four themes/subject areas: a) Employment, Training and Equal Opportunities, b) Health, Social Security and Social Protection, c) Labour Rights and d) Protection of Children, Family and Migrants.

More specifically, the European Social Charter in its Articles provides for the protection of the effective exercise of the right to work, via the maintenance of the highest and most stable possible level of employment, the provision of free services of employment for all workers and ensuring of appropriate vocational guidance, training and reintegration, decent terms of work, safety and occupational health/ hygiene at work, in order to improve of and the prevention of accidents and injuries, and finally to the recognition of the right of workers to remuneration, which will be ensuring for themselves and their families a decent standard of living. Also, by the conclusion of bilateral and multilateral agreements or by other means, the contracting countries ensure equal treatment to foreigners and to the nationals of the contracting countries, with respect to rights of social security, including the provision and restoration of these rights. In addition, the right of migrant workers and their families in protection and assistance is safeguarded, through the establishment of appropriate services of provision of information, and by taking measures that will ensure to them a treatment, not less favorable, compared to the citizens of the contracting countries, where they are employed109.

Also, Law 4251, as amended by Law no. 4332/2015 provides some basic rights for third country nationals, such as the minimum wage, equal labour and social security rights as with Greek citizens, and the

108 See: Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare/Standing Committee on Social Affairs (2015) Ratification of the Revised European Social Charter (January 20, 2016). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare/Standing Committee on Social Affairs/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/zVgSgW, accessed: January 25, 2016). 109 See: Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare/Standing Committee on Social Affairs (2015) Ratification of the Revised European Social Charter (January 20, 2016). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare/Standing Committee on Social Affairs/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/zVgSgW, accessed: January 25, 2016).

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 procedures will be checked by the control mechanisms of the Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, namely the Labour Inspectorate110.

Facilitating Admission

With Law 4332/2015 the Directive 2014/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council was

incorporated into the Greek Law, regarding the conditions of entry and residence of third country nationals for the purpose of seasonal work. According to the explanatory memorandum of the law, this Directive, (a) introduces a simplified procedure of entry for seasonal workers, which is based on common terms and criteria (e.g. existence of an employment contract), (b) provides a duration limit of seasonal work for a period of twelve (12) months (five (5) to nine (9) months), which the Member-State is obliged, during the incorporation of the Directive, to determine with precision (in this case a six (6) month period is set as the maximum period of stay every twelve (12) months), (c) ensures equal treatment to the seasonal workers from third countries with the citizens of the Member-States in specific sectors, focusing, among others on the existence of guarantees the provision of adequate accommodation and (d) reaffirms the responsibility of the Member-States regarding their on their competence to define the volumes of entry. Moreover, Law 4332/2015 includes a visa for multiple entries for the seasonal workers111.

Also, with individual provisions of Law 4332/2015, that amended or supplemented existing provisions of the Code of Immigration and Social Integration, issues related to clarifying and removing bureaucratic constraints on investment issues were regulated, as well as, additional incentives were given to third country nationals who wish to invest in the country as property owners.

Law no. 4356 regarding the covenant of civil partnership, the exercise of rights, in criminal and other provisions (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 181/24 December 2015, provides the agreement of two (2) adult individuals, regardless of their gender, with which they regulate their living together (covenant of civil partnership) which is established in person by a notary document.

Guaranteeing rights for third-country nationals who are already legally resident on the territory

A. Long-term residence

With the provisions of Law 4332/2015, the Article 90 of the Code (Law 4251/2014) was supplemented, in order, for reasons of equity, to be granted, with an explicit reference to the law, the right to acquire long-term resident status for expatriates as well.

Also, with the no. 64410/29 April 2015 Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 728 B΄) the procedure for certification of knowledge of Greek language, Greek history and Greek civilization of third countries nationals was determined, in order to obtain the status of long-term resident, in accordance with article 90 of Law 4251/2014, as well as article 107 of the same Law (4251/2014).

B. Equal treatment

With Law 4332/2015 it was incorporated into the Greek law the Directive 2011/98/EU, which establishes a set of rights, for which the equal treatment of nationals of the Member-State and third country nationals is guaranteed, who have not yet acquired the status of long-term resident, but either they have been admitted in a Member-State in order to work, reside and work legally in this, or they have been admitted to it for reasons other than work (e.g. family reunification), and thereafter they were given access to the labour market of the Member-State in accordance with other provisions of European or national law.

D. Other

According to the decision of the Alternate Minister of Citizen Protection, in December 2015, the

110 Interview with Nerantzis George, Head of the Department of Support of Workers Abroad and Employment of Immigrants in Greece, Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, 03 March 2016. 111 Interview with Nerantzis George, Head of the Department of Support of Workers Abroad and Employment of Immigrants in Greece, Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, 03 March 2016.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 terms regarding the exit and re-entry from/to Greece for third country nationals, who reside legally in the country for the year 2016, were determined. Specifically, this decision aims at facilitating the foreigners, who meet all the conditions of legal stay in the country and want to visit the countries of their origin, in a time framework from 01 January 2016 until 12 December 2016. According to this decision, the possibility, to visit their country and return to Greece more than once, is provided to all the foreigners regardless of nationality. Furthermore, their re-entry in the country is permitted, provided that they departed from the country, during the last two (2) months of the year 2015 (November-December) and their documents are legitimate. Foreigners, who apply to re-enter in Greece, they should provide:

- Passport or other travel document, in force, - A certification/attestation that they have submitted all the required documents for the initial

issue or renewal of the residence permit, and - A certification/attestation of legal residence. It should be noted that, the possibility of exit and re-entry to the country, is not provided to holders

of a special certification of legal residence, who have been released from prison under restrictive conditions, and their exit from the country is prohibited.

Students and researchers

The policies for the facilitation of the mobility of individuals are taken at EU level112. At national

level, the provisions for the issuing of Schengen visas for studies in Universities are applied, and also the provisions of Law 4251 of 2014, as in force.

Also, with the no. 61221/2015 Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 2050 B΄), the possibility of entrance and residence in Greece of third country nationals who wish to study in music educational institutions recognized by the state, which have concluded a contract of cooperation with Higher Educational Institutes abroad, which are recognized in Greece, was regulated113.

Finally, in the Article 18, Temporary Residence − Employment with a national visa, case “h”, of the Law 4251 of 2014, it is stated that: third country nationals who are higher education students, have the opportunity to participate in programmes internship in the field of their studies, for remuneration (paid internship), and they are allowed to stay in the country in order to work, for a period that does not exceeds six (6) months.

112 Interview with Nikolopoulos Leonidas, Expert-Advisor A΄, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09 March 2016. 113 See: http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/KYA61221-160915.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

Family reunification The provisions regarding family reunification are regulated with Law 4332/2015, with which Article

70 of Law 4251/2014 was amended and the principles of investigation of the criteria of integration for the family members for whose reunification is requested by the sponsor, were supplemented. Visa policy

The decisions are taken at European Union level for all Members-States, and even as implementing

Decisions that define the zones that the System of Visa VIS (Visa Information System) will be applied, and the dates for its implementation. On November 20, 2015 the expansion of the System of Visa VIS (Visa Information System) was completed worldwide and now all Greek Consulates and the Consulates of the Partners issue biometric visas. Within 2016 this is applied at the borders of all Member-States as well. The Common Visa Centres have received little reception, and only 2-3 are Common Visa Centres. The Member-States are cooperating in their total with the external providers for the VIS (Visa Information System) visas114.

At legal level, since 2014 there is an ongoing debate on the recast of the Visa Code, for the facilitation of entry to “bona fide” applicants. The notion/concept of the “regular traveler” is established with the provision of visa for three (3) years, and if he/she makes a good use, up to five (5) years. Also, the so-called touring visa is introduced into the discussion115.

(Member) State with which the visa representation agreement exists

Co-operations between countries with regard to their representation, by another Member-State,

are defined by the Article 28 of Visa Code116, but the consular presence of the Member-States often varies according to Annex 8 of the Handbook of Visa Code117.

Schengen Governance

The current legislative framework concerning entry and residence of foreigners, in Greece, is

divided into two main categories: short and long stay. A. Regarding the short-stay visits, Greece, as a member of Schengen Enhanced Cooperation, is

implementing the relevant provisions of the EU acquis, and regarding long-stay visits, the provisions of national law are followed118.

B. The entrance to Greece with the aim of long-term stay, for reasons that include the notion of immigration, is regulated by the national legislation, in accordance with Article 18 of the Schengen Implementation Convention, as amended by Regulation (EU) no. 265/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of March 25, 2010 for the amendment of the Convention of Implementation of the Schengen Agreement and the Regulation (EC) no. 562/2006, regarding the movement of individuals with a long-stay visa119.

114 Interview with Nikolopoulos Leonidas, Expert-Advisor A΄, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09 March 2016. 115 Interview with Anastopoulos Athanasios, Counselor of Embassy, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, 09 March 2016. 116 See: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EL/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32009R0810 117 Interview with Nikolopoulos Leonidas, Expert-Advisor A΄, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09 March 2016. 118 See: http://www.mfa.gr/images/docs/ethnikes_theoriseis/2015/NationalVisasHandbook_09_02_2015.doc 119 See: http://www.mfa.gr/images/docs/ethnikes_theoriseis/2015/NationalVisasHandbook_09_02_2015.doc

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

Ensuring that all Member-States have efficient migration management systems in place in order to be prepared for fluctuating migration pressures

A special European Commission team, working under the supervision of the Director General of the Structural Reform Support Service (SRSS) and assisted by the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME), has been in the last months in the country, working closely with the Hellenic Authorities in order to speed up access to emergency funding, to improve the coordination between various actors, to address administrative barriers and facilitate the exchange of knowledge regarding border management and relocation. This team played a key role in the launch of implementation, on 14 December 2015, of the programme of the rent subsidy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Greece, aiming at providing twenty thousand (20.000) reception places for asylum seekers in the country. The Structural Reform Support Service (SRSS) also contributed significantly to the recommencement of the national programmes for forced and assisted voluntary returns of third country nationals in the country of their origin120.

Funds that will be allocated for the development five (5) mobile units of asylum that will operate in the border islands of Samos, Chios, Lesvos and Kos and Attica for a period of eight (8) months announced for Greece on 05 March 2015 by the European Commission. The units will examine asylum applications that nationals from Syria apply/submit in Greece via an accelerated procedure. According to the relevant announcement: “the European Commission has granted emergency funding of one million, two hundred and seventy thousand (1.270.000) euros from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF121) to Greece in order support the country regarding the strengthening of the capacity/capability of the Asylum Service so as to respond more effectively to the influx of refugees, particularly in the Eastern Aegean region”. In the same announcement it was noted that: “the provision of emergency assistance in the framework of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF122) is part of the overall efforts of the Commission to apply the principle of solidarity through concrete and effective actions to address urgent and specific needs of those Member-States which receive large pressures on asylum and migration.

On January 22, 2015, a mid-term event of the First Reception Service took place, concerning the presentation of the project “Strengthening of Mobile Units of First Reception”. The abovementioned programme is co-funded by the European Union-External Borders Fund and the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction it forms part of emergency actions of the European Commission and aims in regions that are under high migration pressure. This event helped substantially in publicizing the work that has been done in the Mobile Units throughout the entire operating period, especially at what concerns the procedures of First Reception for Unaccompanied Minors, a category in which it was devoted most of the presentations. The event was attended by distinguished guests from politics, the Mass Media and institutions of the civil society while the interventions were particularly followed by participatory and lively discussion with the audience.

On Thursday, October 29, 2015, the First Reception Service, held its third consecutive event of presentation of the project for the strengthening of the operation of the Mobile Units of First Reception. In the event a welcome address was given by the Vice Mayor for Social Solidarity, Welfare and Equality of the City of Athens, the Head of the Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Greece, the Ambassador of Norway, Deputy General, the General Secretary of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, the President of Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) and the General Secretary of Population and Social Cohesion of the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction. The event focused on issues of the management of vulnerability and in particular on the challenge to protect potential victims of violence, exploitation and trafficking. Relevant presentations were given by representatives of International Organizations, governmental agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and representatives of Arts.

The events were particularly successful in the degree and to the extent that highlighted the importance of inventive solutions to problems that have an unprecedented upsurge due to the current

120 See: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6324_el.pdf 121 See: http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/AMIF-Programme.pdf 122 See: http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/AMIF-Programme.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 refugee crisis. And during the events the critical importance of the multidisciplinary cooperation and systematic work of each institution or individual was made clear, working of course on a humanistic direction, going beyond the narrow limits of duties, as a registered principle of a new concept for the administration, and especially for the administration addressed to human beings, who have been through unpleasant experiences to end up uprooted, in a country of second chance.

Apart from conducting events, important assistance in completing the effort of restoration of a constant communication with the public concerned and their competent institutions, is provided by the website of the First Reception Service which was launched in July 2014 (https://www.firstreception.gov.gr) with content which is constantly enriched and regular post of Press Releases which and forwarded to a large number of interested Media and Institutions. Also, the frequent regular presence of First Reception Service (YPY) in the social media (twitter: https://twitter.com/FrsPressoffice) was also the component assistance of the dissemination of information related to the identity and work of the Service.

Finally, regarding the editorial production for the year of 2015, the following deliverables are highlighted:

Informative leaflets, which were published: (a) “Age Assessment” handbook/manual for the information of the Personnel which provides first

reception services, second edition, December 2015. (b) “Trafficking and exploitation of human beings” handbook/manual for the information of the

Personnel which provides first reception services, first edition, November 2015.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

Hotspots The Hellenic Authorities, within 2015, determined the five (5) first reception centres (hotspots)123 in

Lesvos, Leros, Kos, Chios and Samos124. Within 2015, began the operation of one (1) in Lesbos, while it is expected to put into operation the other four (4). Greece also appointed coordinators of these centres (hotspots) and set up a central coordinating committee. However, the construction of all first reception centres (hotspots) should be completed, according to the timetable planned, and their organization should be improved.

Also, the Open Structure of Hospitality/Reception at Eleonas in Attica was established within 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 2065/Β΄/18 September 2015). In the First Reception Centres services of interpretation, procedures of identification of minors and vulnerable groups, provision of medical assistance, information and recording, are provided125.

The European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex)126, on its behalf, assists Greece to the registration of migrants in the northern borders, by deploying additional border guards and has sent Rapid Border Intervention Teams (RABIT) in the Aegean sea and the Aegean islands, after a request of Greece127.

Two hundred ninety three (293) agents of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex) have already been established in the hotspots and two hundred thirteen (213) in areas outside the hotspots, while one hundred sixty five (165) more are expected to be established. Moreover, forty six (46) fingerprint scanning machines were put into operation, while it is expected that another thirty (30) will start operating, whilst the fingerprints of migrants will be systematically recorded in the European system Eurodac128.

On July 6, 2015 the Prefectural/Regional Asylum Office of Thessaloniki began its operations129. Greece has committed to increase the reception capacity to thirty thousand (30.000) places for

asylum seekers in Greece by the end of 2015130. Moreover, with the supported of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Greece (UNHCR), it will provide at least twenty thousand (20.000) additional places – prerequisite for the operation of emergency resettlement system. On 14 December 2015, the European Commission signed an agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Greece (UNHCR) on the financing, with 80 million euros, of a programme rent subsidy aimed at providing twenty thousand (20.000) places in reception areas. The programme will also fund the establishment of seven thousand (7.000) places in the First Reception Centres. In the framework of this programme, the construction of four thousand five hundred (4.500) additional reception places in Lesvos, Leros and Kos, is expected to start. In total, until early January 2016, the goal was set that thirty five thousand (35.000) places of reception will be available in Greece – that is to say, more than the thirty thousand (30.000) places by end 2015, for which Greece was committed in the meeting of the leaders of the Western Balkans131.

On December 3, 2015, Greece activated the mechanism of civil protection of the European Union in

123 See: European Commission (2015) Final Annexes 1 to 5 Annexes to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council Progress Report on the Implementation of the Hotspots in Greece – 15.12.2015 Com(2015) 678. Strasbourg: European Commission. Available at:http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/securing-eu-borders/legal-documents/docs/communication_-_progress_report_on_the_implementation_of_the_hotspots_in_greece_annex_en.pdf 124 See: http://www.nomotelia.gr/photos/File/2602b-15.pdf 125 Interview with George Paramanidis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 08 March 2016. 126 See: http://frontex.europa.eu/ 127 According to official data of the Hellenic Coast Guard, the assistance that is provided by the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex), takes place in the framework of the Joint European Operation of the Organization, “POSEIDON – Sea Borders”, which is implemented in selected maritime areas of Greece that are subjected to high migratory pressures unceasingly since May 5, 2008, while from December 2015 it has taken the form of the rapid intervention. (Information and data provided by the Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism). 128 See: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/asylum/identification-of-applicants/index_en.htm 129 See: http://asylo.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/THE-REGIONAL-ASYLUM-OFFICE-OF-THESSALONIKI-BEGINS-ITS-OPERATION_GR.pdf 130 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 638: Results of the Summit Meeting on the refugee crisis (October 29, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/wfHd3h, accessed: December 20, 2015). 131 See: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6324_el.htm

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 order to receive material support so as to address the influx of refugees and asylum seekers in the country. Items such as tents, generators, beds, sanitary equipment and emergency first aid kits, were requested. This voluntary provision of assistance is coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the European Commission, which is working closely with the Hellenic Authorities and the other States that are participating in the mechanism for the swift response to each request132.

With the assistance of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense and the competence of the Prefectures of Northern and Southern Aegean, according to the decision no. 2969, as published in the Official Government Gazette (OGG) on 2 December 2015 (Sheet no. 2602, Issue 2) the Establishment of the First Reception Centres (FRC) and Temporary Structures of Hospitality of asylum seekers and vulnerable groups of third countries, was determined. These are known as hotspots, which will be established in the following Greek islands:

1. Chios133, 2. Kos134, 3. Leros, 4. Samos and 5. Lesvos135, as follows: The Hellenic Ministry of Defense is working to this end with the services of the former Ministry of

Public Order and Citizen Protection and services for Migration Policy, which are supervised by the responsible Alternate Ministers of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction136.

Apart from the above, for the control of the problem of irregular migration in Greece a series of actions were implemented aiming at, among others, to the identification-checking of foreigners who do not meet-who lack of, the necessary travel documents, as well as at the increase in returns (forced and voluntary).

To this end, the existence of Police Services with exclusive objective the reviewing of the legality of the stay of foreigners within the country (Divisions of Enforcement of Irregular Immigration, etc.) allows the conduction of regular controls/checks.

At the same time, based on the current legislation, the police personnel of the competent Services of the Hellenic Police participated in mixed teams of control/check/audit, to address different forms of delinquency (drug trafficking, activation of individuals into prostitution, combating of crime and illegal vending etc.). For this purpose, the appropriate orders-instructions were given to the personnel of the above teams, so as the conducted examinations to be performed guided by the absolute respect for the rights and dignity of the individual under control/check/audit137.

It is noted that the above actions, like the total of police actions are aimed, in general, at protecting public order and security and are manifested by objective criteria (regardless of nationalities, religious/political beliefs, racial criteria, discrimination or other distinguishing features that characterize the individuals under control/check/audit and where appropriate those apprehended/under arraignment and

132 See: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6249_el.htm 133 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Finance/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 3903: Dramatic Increase of Migration Flows/Unacceptable conditions in the refugee camp at Mersinidi in Chios (June 26, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Finance/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/0Z8Gg4, accessed: December 20, 2015). 134 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 3050: Accountability and addressing the crucial problem that Kos is facing from the uncontrolled entry of irregular immigrants and refugees (May 29, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/chNRXo, accessed: December 20, 2015). 135 See: Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 3819: Finding of an immediate solution for the transportation of refugees and irregular immigrants from the islands due to the increased passenger traffic of the tourist season (June 24, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/Sy33d3, accessed: December 20, 2015). 136 See: http://www.nomotelia.gr/photos/File/2602b-15.pdf 137 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Minister of State for Coordinating the Government Project/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1393: Response Planning for the increasing flow of refugees towards our country (November 24, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Minister of State for Coordinating the Government Project/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/uZWr6x, accessed: December 20, 2015).

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 only, upon individualized indications arising from their behavior).

Difficulties in this effort are caused by, the reluctance of cooperation of the Consular Authorities in Greece for the issuance of travel documents, the state of war in the countries of origin, the incorrect application of the Readmission Agreements, and a number of other individual factors that are posing difficulties in the intention for the expulsion/deportation of them to their origin countries.

The main goal in the last year (2015) was the exact implementation of the European Directive, regarding the detention of irregular migrants. In particular, pursuant to the provisions of Directive 2008/115/EC regarding with “the common standards and procedures in Member-States for the return of the irregularly staying third country nationals which was incorporated in Law 3907/2011”, only those who meet the specified criteria in the Directive of returns are kept under custody and in no case foreigners are detained indiscriminately and systematically, while each case is examined on an individual basis.

The Headquarters of the Hellenic Police pays great importance in the safeguarding/ensuring of the necessary hygiene and safe living rules of all the individuals who are kept/detained both in the Pre-departure Detention Centers (P.KE.K.) of Foreigners and in the police detention facilities (a few days stay), as well as, in the compliance/observance with the abovementioned prerequisites on the behalf of the Services which on a systematic basis, manage a large number of detainees (guarding, transfers, etc.).

For that purpose, and with aim the substantial reform and improvement of the existing detention structures and the amendment of the national procedure of asylum in such way, so as to respond adequately to the service of both the existing and the emerging future needs, specific legislative initiatives have been undertaken and implemented in order to ensure the protection of the rights of all of the guests of the aforementioned premises/facilities, as indeed is appropriate for a civilized country that follows the standards of the European culture.

For this purpose, the compliance of rules that governing the safety of spaces/facilities of detention and the exact implementation of the standards of their construction so as to eliminate the possibility of escapes and self-harm of detainees, the safeguarding of the protection of the personnel that is guarding the premises/facilities and the promotion of respect for the human value and dignity in utmost level, are considered necessary.

At this point it should be noted that all the necessary actions, to address the problems associated with the lack of detention facilities in the premises/facilities of the Hellenic Police have been implemented, and clear/explicit instructions have been given to all prefectural Services for the absolute compliance with their obligations, as they result from the applicable provisions and the international treaties. The competent Services of the Hellenic Police Headquarters monitor thoroughly/closely the whole issue, and they interfere directly with specific orders and instructions, when it is required. It is clearly emphasized that any recommendations-remarks, complaints and findings of international organizations and humanitarian organizations to Greece, regarding issues of inadequate or inappropriate conditions of detention, mobilize directly the competent Services of the Hellenic Police, which carry out thorough studies and investigations in order to take all additional reorganization/consolidation measures of the potential problems and to align the procedures applied in Greece with these of the European counterparts.

From January 2015 until January 4, 2016, eight hundred fifty nine thousand, five hundred and eight (859.508) third country nationals have entered the Greek territory. The number alone demonstrates that Greece faces a reality with many multifaceted challenges. The ever growing number of arrivals of third country nationals through the land, but mainly, through the country’s sea borders, makes the management of the phenomenon particularly difficult, with major obstacles, deficiencies of the Greek asylum system, the shortages in qualified staff and infrastructures, economic constraints and delays in the disbursement of available funds.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

Integration

A. Measures to enhance migrants’ language skills to improve attainments in the education system

European Integration Fund (EIF) The Department of Social Integration of the General Secretariat for Population and Social Cohesion

of the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction as Responsible Authority (RA) of the European Integration Fund (EIF) of third country nationals in Greece, in the framework of the Annual Programme (AP) of 2013 designed, announced, (in June 2014, January and March 2015), assigned and monitored the implementation of the projects by competent bodies. Priority of the Program was to implement actions that apply the Common Basic Principles for migrant integration policy in the European Union. The target group of the European Social Fund (ΕSF) is third country nationals who reside legally in Greece, while it was predicted that the implementation of the actions should primarily focus on actions relating to the integration138 of newly arrived third country nationals. The Programme is not addressed to third country nationals, who have submitted an application for asylum and for which a final decision has not been issued (pending), or enjoy a status of refugee or status of subsidiary protection, or are subjected for/under subsidiary protection status in accordance with Directive 2004/83/EC of the Council on April 29, 2004139, 140.

- The Project 1.3.b/13 entitled: “Greek language courses, of history and culture to immigrants,

unemployed individuals, single mothers, individuals with disabilities, and illiterate individuals”, which through the learning of the Greek language and components of the Greek history and Greek culture (and the parallel creation of the corresponding teaching material) on targeted groups of third country nationals (TCN) aimed at:

a) the strengthening of the process of integration of vulnerable groups of migrants, the

development of the language skills of unemployed individuals which would contribute to better use of their professional/occupational qualifications,

b) the educational empowerment of migrants with disabilities (via the creation of electronic and printed educational material and via specifically tailored methods of training to the needs of all disability categories) and

c) the acquisition of language skills of immigrant mothers aiming at understanding of the educational programmes of their children and their potential support in the educational process.

The Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation, in the context of education of migrants in the Greek

language and Greek culture, set on April 9, 2015 the implementation of the programme “Odysseus” in the Prefecture of Western Attica141. This programme is addressed to European Union citizens and third country nationals irrespective of their origin from the age of 16 years and older, who are legally residing in Greece and is integrated in the Operational Programme “Education and Lifelong Learning” of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs and is co-funded by the European Union and the Hellenic State.

The purpose of the Training Programme is to help the learners to acquire the language skills and practices, social and intercultural skills that are required for the social integration of themselves and of their families. The training Programme is structured in levels A1 (duration of 125 hours) and A2 (duration of

138 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2016) Making Integration Work: Refugees and Others in Need of Protection. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Publishing. Available at: http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/download/8116031e.pdf?expires=1462838123&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=6E95AB3D60AD0890B6AB859E56499745 139 See: http://ete.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ergo1-3-g-13oe.pdf 140 See: http://ete.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/proskl-1-1-13.pdf 141 Theodoridis, N. (ed.) (2015) ANTIGONE – Annual Report 2015. Registration of Phenomena, Issues and Incidents of Racism, Discrimination , Xenophobia but also Research Studies or Good Practices of the Administration in the 6 Crucial Fields of Employment, Legislation, Education, Housing, Racist Violence and Health Welfare. Athens: ANTIGONE - Information and Documentation Center on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non Violence. Available at: http://goo.gl/Zilyxw (in Greek).

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 175 hours) and the courses are provided free of charge. This programme is supported by the Municipality of Megara142.

B. Migrant access to social security, healthcare and housing143

With the provisions of Law 4332/2015 and the incorporation into national law of the Directive

2011/98/EU is ensured that workers who are holders of joint permit, enjoy equal treatment with the Greek nationals regarding, inter alia, the requirements in the provisions of national law concerning the sectors of social security, as defined in Regulation (EC) no. 883/2004 (L 166, 30 April 2004), the payment of amounts related to acquired rights in the framework of de jure retirement benefits/pensions at the level provided by the national legislation, or the legislation of the Members-States of the European Union that owe these amounts in case of moving to a third country, as well as, access to goods and services and the supply of goods and services made available to the public, including the procedures for obtaining housing.

Under the Annual Programme 2013 of the European Integration Fund (EIF) these Projects were

implemented: - 1.1.b/13 entitled “Facilitating access to medical and social services of A΄ level, in large urban

centres of the country”, which had as aim to facilitate the access of third country nationals medical and social services of A΄ level, their guidance/walkthrough within these services, to inform third country nationals on the transmission of diseases and the treatment of often emerging diseases, offering preventive care to third country nationals and their families, as well as to strengthen the personnel of medical and social services of A΄ level with Health Visitors, Social Workers and Intercultural Mediators.

- 1.1e/13 entitled “Interpretation and intercultural mediation in one-stop services for issuing residence permits (one stop shops) of the Decentralized Administrations of the country”, which had as objective to facilitate the access of third country nationals in services via provision of interpretation and intercultural mediation services in the One Stop Services - One Stop Shops (OSS), aiming at better and faster service of third country nationals, to identify key communications problems in the dealings of these individuals with the public administration and in the effort to resolve them, the recording of needs for interpretation/intercultural mediation, the evaluation of the services provided by the One Stop Services - One Stop Shops (OSS) and to highlight good practices.

- 3.1b/13 entitled “Promotion of intercultural training and legislative information regarding issues of health of employees in selected hospitals who are dealing with third country nationals”, which via: a) the information of administrative employees regarding the Greek and European laws as well as migration and integration issues (with emphasis on issues related to healthcare) and b) of intercultural training of administrative employees (primarily Health Centres and Hospitals), aimed at informing migrants and facilitating their access to services of the National Health System and facilitating the work of the Administration.

During 2015, the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) designed and submitted a comprehensive plan for health coverage and monitoring of the newcomer populations throughout the country. The elaboration of the plan, was completed on April 23, 2015, entitled: “Implementation of Actions of Medical and Psychosocial Intervention to Third Country Nationals in the Prefectures of East Macedonia-Thrace, Northern Aegean, Southern Aegean, Crete and in the Prefecture of Attica”, which was officially submitted to the Hellenic Minister of Health.

Later, a Team of Coordination and Monitoring of the actions regarding the refugee/migration issue was formed/set up under the General Secretary of Public Health, with the main objective to further strengthen of this particular plan, until its adoption by the Hellenic State.

Furthermore, within 2015 the programme entitled: “Direct Assistance of the Response of the

142 See: Theodoridis, N. (ed.) (2015) ANTIGONE – Annual Report 2015. Registration of Phenomena, Issues and Incidents of Racism, Discrimination , Xenophobia but also Research Studies or Good Practices of the Administration in the 6 Crucial Fields of Employment, Legislation, Education, Housing, Racist Violence and Health Welfare. Athens: ANTIGONE - Information and Documentation Center on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non Violence, 23-24. Available at: http://goo.gl/Zilyxw (in Greek). 143 Four thousand and eighty-seven (4.087) individuals applied for/sought for shelter from the Service of Management of Requests for Housing of Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Minors of the National Centre for Social Solidarity, in 2015. The rate of satisfaction/fulfilment of claims reached/stood at 98.09%. See: http://www.ekka.org.gr/portal_docs/forceaccount/picture/25_1072.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 National Health System due to the Refugee/Migration Crisis that the Islands of the Eastern Aegean are Facing”, was approved. This specific plan was elaborated/designed in September and the grant agreement was signed on December 29, 2015.

The proposed actions of the plan will be funded by the Internal Security Fund (ISF)144 of the Directorate-General (DG) for Migration and Home Affairs (ΗΟΜΕ) of the European Union (EU). The time of implementation of the plan is eight (8) months. The budget of the project is three million, two hundred and seventy thousand (3.270.000) euros and the funding will cover the 100% of the budget.

The plan, among other things, includes: the recruitment of health and other personnel at the hospitals of the islands of the Eastern Aegean and the National Emergency Aid Centre (NEAC) (one hundred forty one (141) individuals in total), the full coverage of hospitalization/medical expenses and medicines for refugees/migrants and the purchase of equipment for the National Emergency Aid Centre (EKAV). Briefly, in 2015, the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) undertook the following initiatives:

1. Dispatching of a unit with personnel consisting of doctors, nurses and a mobile unit to the

indoor gym in the area of Pikermi-Rafina, in order to provide first aid to migrants from Iraq, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan, who were found on a boat with destination towards Italy and they were found in difficult situation/condition at the Strait of Kafirea.

2. Visit and on-the-spot inspection of the problems, regarding issues of public health concerning the migratory flow, by the President of the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) and a unit of the Service in Rhodes, Kos and Tilos (April 20-21, 2015), Alexandroupolis, Orestiada and Samothrace, Xanthi (April 28-29, 2015), Samos (May13, 2015) and Lesvos (May 21, 2015).

3. Dispatching of a two (2) mobile units of the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) in the Pedion of Areos. The first mobile unit, consisting of pulmonologists and paediatricians and equipped with radiographic machine examined the total of children of the refugees, who were in the area. The second mobile unit consisting of psychologists and nursing personnel faced the serious problems of the users who found “shelter” in the park area and often they show unpredictable behaviours.

4. Provision of services by the medical and nursing personnel of Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) on a daily basis, at the Pre-departure Centers of Detention at Petrou Ralli Ave., Amygdaleza and Corinth.

5. Provision of services by the medical and nursing personnel on a 24hour basis, at the Open Structure of Hospitality at Eleonas.

6. Provision of services by the medical and nursing personnel of Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) at the centers of temporary reception at Galaţsi, the Indoor Sports Hall of Neo Faliro and Elliniko. Vaccination of children was carried out, whenever considered necessary.

7. Dispatching of mobile units of Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) in Mytilene and Kos, staffed by Military medical doctors, volunteer doctors and doctors of the Hellenic Red Cross.

8. Operation of a dental unit at the Pre-departure Center of Detention of Foreigners in Amygdaleza and immediate commencement of operation of dental unit at the Open Structure of Hospitality/Reception of Refugees at Eleonas.

9. Provision of medicines and medical supplies to the mobile units and to the above mentioned reception centers. A donation for sanitary/health emergency material was made by the World Health Organization (WHO) which will cover the needs of ten thousand (10.000) individuals for six (6) months. Dispatching of medical doctors whenever considered necessary to the Directorate of Foreigners in order to assist in the procedures of return/repatriation of migrants under the Common European Initiative on Return.

10. Dispatching of a mobile unit of Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) at the prefecture of Kilkis, which was staffed by volunteer medical doctors and nurses of the 4th Health District (YPE) in order to address the increased health/hygiene needs that have emerged in the region due to increased refugee transit/crossing. Provision of equipment of the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and

144 See: http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/ISF-Programme.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 Prevention (HCDCP) for its actions by the Hellenic Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy and the Hellenic Coast Guard. The equipment includes two thousand five hundred (2.500) uniforms, one thousand five hundred (1.500) sleeping bags, two thousand five hundred (2.500) masks, as well as one thousand five hundred (1.500) hygiene kits. Additional equipment has also been given to the Hellenic Police145.

Implementation of the Program “Housing and reintegration” from the Municipality of Thessaloniki

In March 2015 the Municipality of Thessaloniki in cooperation with the Nongovernmental

Organizations PRAKSIS and ARSIS decided to implement the programme “Housing and Reintegration” funded by resources of the General Secretariat of Welfare of the Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, with Management Authority the National Labour and Human Resources Institute (NLHRI). The programme lasted one (1) year and aimed at the direct transition to autonomous forms of living for seventy five (75) people or families that are facing homelessness problems, by providing services of housing and social care. The Programme included both refugees and migrants.

It aimed at a broader and more complete addressing of social needs via integration, either via the provisions offered, or through the interconnection with specialized institutions. The ultimate goal was the complete independence and reintegration in the social fabric, of at least sixteen (16) individuals, who were facing housing problems, via the provisions of services of employment reintegration and return to the labour market, or another securing of an adequate income (e.g. pension). The beneficiaries emerged after social surveys from those registered in social structures of the Programme “Social Structures of Addressing Poverty in the Municipality of Thessaloniki” operating in the Municipality of Thessaloniki. The services that were provided to the beneficiaries of the programme were the following:

• Financial support in relation to housing, debts for Utility Companies (DEKO), food, clothing and

footwear • Monitoring of financial management • Psychosocial support • Work Counseling/Promotion in the labour market • Subsidized employment reintegration • Linking/Interconnection to a network of services according to the needs • Referrals to specialized services146 This particular project was developed complementary to the action of the eight (8) existing social

structures of the Programme “Social Structures of Addressing Poverty in the Municipality of Thessaloniki” that operate and are implemented already with the collaboration of with the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the NGO ARSIS-Association for the Social Support of Youth and the NGO PRAKSIS, in order to fulfill a fundamental demand and right, as that of safe and decent housing, while at the same time the vocational/employment counseling and the promotion of the labour market are being reinforced147.

Regarding the integration of refugees and migrants to this particular program, the following data are presented:

* In the plan implemented by the Municipality of Thessaloniki (final beneficiary) in collaboration

with ARSIS (administrator) and PRAKSIS (administrator), two (2) refugees and two (2) immigrants have been integrated.

* In the plan “Neighborhood-Actions for Housing and Integration” implemented by ARSIS (final beneficiary-administrator) in cooperation with the municipalities of Pavlou Mela, Ampelokipoi-Menemeni and Evosmos-Kordelio three (3) immigrants have been integrated.

* In the plan “Eco-Building of Life” which the Municipality Neapolis-Sykies implements (final beneficiary-administrator) in collaboration with ARSIS, one (1) female immigrant has been integrated148.

145 Information and data provided by the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP). 146 Press Release, NGO Arsis, March 12, 2015, see: http://goo.gl/FB3tk3 147 See: http://arsis.gr/ilopiisi-tou-programmatos-stegasi-ke-epanentaxi-sto-dimo-thessalonikis/ 148 Information and data provided by NGO ARSIS.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

C. Migrant integration into the labour market In the framework of the Annual Programme 2013 of the European Integration Fund (EIF) it was

implemented the Project 1.1.f/13 entitled “Programme of information, awareness raising/sensitization and provision of counseling for immigrant mothers”, which aimed at facilitating:

a) The access of immigrant mothers in: services of issuing residence permits, health and social

security, as well as, at the educational institutions and in learning the Greek language, b) Immigrant mothers in finding employment, c) The participation of immigrant mothers in collective forms of organization, and d) The active participation of immigrant mothers in the reception society, through the provision of

integrated “circles” of information, awareness raising/sensitization and counseling on the abovementioned themes/subject areas to the beneficiaries-immigrant mothers with simultaneous creative involvement of their children149.

Promoting integration through participation: rights and obligations, achieving equal treatment and belonging

- Law 4332/2015 modifies the provisions of the Code of Migration and Social Integration (Law

4521/2014) for the adaptation of the Greek legislation to the Directives of the European Parliament and Council 2011/98/EU regarding the joint application procedure for the granting to third county nationals of a joint permit of residence and work in the territory of the Member-State and concerning a common total/set of rights for workers from third countries legally residing in a Member-State and the Directive 2014/36/EU regarding the preconditions of entry and residence of third country nationals with the purpose of seasonal work and other provisions150.

Specifically in Article 21A, regarding equal treatment of workers, holders of a joint permit it is stated that the workers, holders of a joint permit, enjoy equal treatment as nationals, regarding:

- The right to enter and reside in the territory of Greece, - The right to exercise the certain activity for which they have received the corresponding entry

visa, - The terms of employment, including the minimum permitted age limit for work, the working

conditions, - The right to strike and to take trade union action, - Education and vocational training, - Recognition of diplomas/certificates and other professional/occupational qualifications - Access to goods and services and the supply of goods and services made available to the public,

including procedures for obtaining housing, as well as, services of information and provision of counselling provided by employment placement services/agencies etc.151.

Moreover, in the framework of the Annual Programme 2013 of the European Integration Fund (EIF)

the following Projects were implemented: - 1.4.a/13 entitled “Crossroads of Art”, which had as objective the contact, the interaction and the

exchange of experiences of natives and migrants through the artistic creation and expression, the use of art as a common language that helps to bridge differences and the intercultural dialogue, with ultimate goal both the empowerment of migrants through their artistic expression and the promotion of their particular culture, as well as, the encouragement of the intercultural cooperation and artistic expression that results from the coexistence and cooperation of different cultures.

149 See: http://ete.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/proskl-1-1-13.pdf 150 See: http://www.synigoros.gr/resources/4332.pdf 151 See: http://www.synigoros.gr/resources/4332.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 - 1.4.b/13 entitled “Radio broadcasts regarding issues that concern immigrants, reproduction and

wide distribution of structured printed, audio and audio-visual material”, which aimed at facilitating the access of third country nationals (especially of those having difficulty in reading Greek texts and have a relatively short period of stay in Greece) on goods and services and at strengthening the integration process of immigrants, through the provision of basic information on issues directly related to the smooth adaptation of third country nationals into the Greek society, their information for issues of migration policy and for actions/services of integrating character (which are provided by their associations, public institutions and the civil society) as well as, and also via strengthening their participation in the areas of information and communication through the media (production of radio broadcasts).

- 1.4.c/13 entitled “Promotion of creative activities of toddlers to the existing structures of nursery-care/childcare facilities aiming at the interaction of children of migrants and natives”, which concerned the implementation of creative activities for young children in the existing structures of nursery-care/childcare facilities and public kindergartens with goal the interaction and harmonious coexistence among children of third country nationals and children of natives, the creation of meeting places for parents, of infants/babies and toddlers of immigrants and natives and facilitate the access of children of third country nationals in preschool education.

- 4.1/13 entitled “Cooperation network between Member-States regarding issues of inter-faith dialogue and exercise of religious practice”, through which were realized:

a) Exchange of good practices regarding the mitigation of phenomena of religious competition and

religious intolerance and regarding the respect of the particularity of different religious beliefs and practices,

b) Exchange of views and experiences, through an internet/a web portal, regarding the necessity of the interfaith dialogue and the networking among government officials, immigrant representatives and intercultural mediators, and

c) Recording, via a web portal, of the policies of Member-States in relation to the exercise of religious worship of immigrants, in an attempt to highlight the contribution of the interreligious dialogue to the harmonious coexistence of natives and migrants and the social cohesion of Member-States of the European Union.

Regarding the participation of immigrants, every time that an invitation from the PROGRESS

programme for the issues of combating discrimination occurred, the Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare invited in a consultation, for the identification of the priorities under the framework of this programme and its funding and actions that could be selected, the representative organizations of migrants, particularly the call addressed to the Greek Forum of Migrants, so as to determine what actions could be promoted through this programme152.

Furthermore, the policies of combating poverty implemented by the Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare did not exclude citizenship, e.g. in the Programme of Humanitarian Crisis, anyone who has a residence permit could, if they meet the conditions, apply in order to receive the subsidy benefits for food, electric supply and rent of the Programme. The Programme concluded in the beginning of 2016153.

Moreover, in the Multiannual Programme 2014-2020 of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), which was approved by the European Commission in 2015, an Action is planned/provided for with the title “Programs of integration for learning the Greek language and Programmes of promotion of interculturalism”, with main objectives:

a) learning (and/or improvement of the knowledge) regarding the Greek language, Greek culture,

as well as of the institutions and values of the Greek society, b) provision of information regarding everyday life matters as well as concerning the rights and

152 Interview with Stathopoulou Theodora, Directorate of Social Protection and Social Inclusion, Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, 11 March 2016. 153 Interview with Stathopoulou Theodora, Directorate of Social Protection and Social Inclusion, Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, 11 March 2016.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 obligations of migrants in the country and about their access to public goods and services,

c) promotion of mutual understanding and communication between different cultures, d) increase of the interaction between third country nationals and the Greek society, e) improvement of the provided services to third country nationals, f) promotion of social cohesion. Furthermore, in the Multiannual Programme 2014-2020 of the Asylum, Migration and Integration

Fund (AMIF), which was approved by the European Commission in 2015, an Action is planned/provided for with the title “Establishing Migrant Support Centres”, which will operate as coordination centers of various actions of integration, with emphasis on actions and campaigns for the combating of discrimination (anti-discrimination campaigns), racism154 and xenophobia, as well as on actions of strengthening vulnerable groups of migrants. The Action includes the following objectives:

a) increase of the degree of participation of third country nationals in the process of integration, b) provision of comprehensive legal services to third country nationals who are in need, as well as

provision of integrated/comprehensive social and psychological services, c) improvement of the access of third country nationals to public goods and services, d) combating of xenophobia and racism155, e) increase of the degree of interaction of third country nationals with the Greek society as well as

their participation in collaborative processes. The abovementioned Migrant Support Centres, are planned/provided for to have the following

responsibilities: a) facilitation of the access of third country nationals to public goods and services, b) provision of counseling and information regarding legal issues, issues related to migration status,

access to services of security and training issues, c) promotion of the intercultural further training for all civil servants/officials of all levels of

administration, d) provision of support to third country nationals in order to participate in groups and organizations

established/based in the Municipality, where they reside, e) cooperation with the Health Centers and the Migrant Integration Councils (MIC) of the

Municipalities, as well as with organizations and associations of migrants, f) organization of events and establishment/creation of a library, g) provision of specialized services (e.g. regarding issues of gender, mental illness, addiction).

154 See: http://www.gcr.gr/index.php/en/action/gcr-projects/2015/item/450-increasing-the-capacity-of-law-enforcement-authorities-to-tackle-racist-crime-hate-crime-and-homophobic-crime-through-experiential-learning-experience-crime/450-increasing-the-capacity-of-law-enforcement-authorities-to-tackle-racist-crime-hate-crime-and-homophobic-crime-through-experiential-learning-experience-crime 155 See: Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN) (2016) 2015 Annual Report. Athens: Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN). Available at: http://goo.gl/5qr4zz (in English) and http://goo.gl/kxRT1E (in Greek).

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 Promoting integration of Specific Groups

In 2015, the consultation process between the competent Ministries was completed, with which

the final text of the draft of the Presidential Decree regarding the regulation of issues related to work in Greece for applicants of international protection and holders of international protection status was prepared, with which the Presidential Decree 189/1998 will be replaced (Official Government Gazette (OGG) 140/A΄), which regulated these issues until nowadays. With the promoted Presidential Decree the comprehensive review of the existing legislative framework regarding access to the labour market of the country for applicants of international protection (asylum), the beneficiaries of international protection (refugees and holders of subsidiary protection) and holders of residence permits for humanitarian reasons, is sought156.

As provided for in the final draft of the Presidential Decree, which is planned to be published in 2016, the work permit as a prerequisite for accessing the labour market for certain categories of third country nationals is repealed, and they have the right to work, if the card of applicant for international protection, the residence permit of holder of status of international protection, or the residence permit for humanitarian reasons, are valid/in force157.

With the Circular no. 30102/431/01 July 2015, of the Alternate Minister of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, the holders of status of subsidiary protection were included/integrated in the same category with refugees, as a subcategory of the status of international protection. Therefore, the process for their access into the labour market was equated with the one followed for the refugees under the provisions of Presidential Decree 189/1998 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) A΄/140/25 June 1997), as these were specified in the Circular no. Ref. 19000/442/19 October 2012, of the Deputy Labour, Social Security and Welfare. With this way, for this particular category of third country nationals, the conduction of the labour market research by the Manpower Organization (OAED) as a precondition for the granting of a work permit by the Prefecture is no longer required, a fact that facilitates their integration into the labour market158.

Also, the Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) 53619/735 from 07 December 2015 (Articles 1-4): “Access of third country nationals into the labour market, who stay in the country under status of expulsion/deportation deferral”, was published. The purpose of this particular Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) is the definition of the terms and conditions for accessing the labour market, by third country nationals who remain in the country under status of expulsion deferral in accordance with Article 24 of Law 3907/2011, on the protection against expulsion for humanitarian reasons, in accordance with Article 78A of Law 3386/2005159.

Moreover, according to Circular no. 55811/2015 of the Hellenic Ministry of Interior the amount of salary threshold for highly qualified employment is 30.675 euros per year160.

In August 2015, a draft law of the Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare was submitted to the Hellenic Parliament for consultation, aiming at the ratification of the revised European Social Charter of the Council of Europe, the most comprehensive international convention on the protection of social rights. The European Social Charter in its Articles provides for equal treatment of foreigners, nationals of the contracting states, with regard to social security rights, as well as, the provision, maintenance and restoration of these rights (Article 12)

Article 18 seeks to ensure effective exercise of the right to gainful activity in the territory of other contracting states. For this reason the application of the rules in force is provided, the simplification of the formalities that are in force, the reduction or elimination of financial charges in force for the foreign workers and the recognition of the right of movement of individuals who wish to develop a profitable

156 Grizis, V., Tsinisizelis, M., Fouskas, T., Karatrantos, A. and Mine, F.-M. (2015) Integration of Beneficiaries of International/Humanitarian Protection Into the Labour Market: Policies and Good Practices. EMN Focussed Study 2015. Athens: Center for Security Studies (KEMEA) of the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction and Brussels: European Migration Network (EMN)/European Commission. Available at: http://goo.gl/qFDp29 (forthcoming). 157 Interview with Nerantzis George, Head of the Department of Support of Workers Abroad and Employment of Immigrants in Greece, Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, 03 March 2016. 158 Interview with Nerantzis George, Head of the Department of Support of Workers Abroad and Employment of Immigrants in Greece, Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, 03 March 2016. 159 See: http://www.immigration.gr/2015/12/kya-53619735.html 160 See: http://www.mfa.gr/images/docs/ethnikes_theoriseis/2015/NationalVisasHandbook_09_02_2015.doc

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 activity in the territory of other contracting states.

With the Article 19 the right of migrant workers and their families to protection and assistance in the creation of appropriate useful information services is safeguarded, and by taking every measures that will ensure to them a treatment, not less favorable, compared to that the citizens of the contracting place enjoy, in which they are employed.

Article 20 refers to the right of equal opportunities for both genders regarding the issues of employment and occupation/profession. The Contracting Parties must take the necessary measures to ensure equality in the sectors of access to work, to vocational/professional guidance and training, the working conditions and the progress/development of employee161.

Moreover, the invitation/call of the submission of proposals in the framework of the Annual Programme 2013 of the European Integration Fund (EIF) for third country nationals, which was launched in early 2015, included the project 1.1.f/13 entitled: “Programme of information, awareness raising/sensitization and provision of counseling for immigrant mothers”. The Project included the providing of information to immigrant mothers regarding issues of immigration status (residence permits), access to services healthcare and security, as well as, to institutions of education/training and learning of the Greek language, counseling for immigrant mothers regarding issues of job finding and information-awareness raising/sensitization for the value of participation in associations, and active participation into the host society (e.g. via the participation in Migrant Integration Councils)162).

Also, in the framework of the Annual Programme 2013 of the European Integration Fund (EIF) it was implemented the Project 1.2.a/13 entitled “Promoting Intercultural Mediation in institutions providing social services to vulnerable migrant groups, as well as to units-rehabilitation centres of the Country”, which via the provision of services of intercultural mediation in social and healthcare services the country but and in rehabilitation units aimed at facilitating the access of vulnerable groups and of third country nationals patients in these services, in the facilitation of the work of social workers, of the administrative, medical and nursing staff of these services, in the awareness raising/sensitization of public officials and of the wider social actors regarding the friendly towards immigrants provision of preventive and treatment services and ultimately of the strengthening of the integration of these groups and of the prevention of their social exclusion.

Moreover, in the Multiannual Programme 2014-2020 of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), which was approved by the European Commission in 2015, the following actions are planned/provided for:

i) “Rent subsidy for vulnerable groups of legally residing third country nationals”, with objectives: a) the establishing of beneficiaries in residencies, b) the provision social, psychological (also via weekly individual sessions with a psychologist/social

worker) and medical support as well as the provision of medicines. c) learning of the Greek language, d) the provision interpretation to facilitate communication. ii) “Representation/Guardianship of unaccompanied minors” with objectives: a) initially (at pilot phase) representation/guardianship of unaccompanied minors during the

procedure of granting asylum, during the enrolment in school or in a training center, regarding issues of health/therapy, or concerning issues related to other rights,

b) after the phase of pilot implementation, expansion of the representation/guardianship in order to cover all the needs of the unaccompanied minors during the process of first reception, or during they stay in open centres of reception (hospitality).

Furthermore, in the Multiannual Programme 2014-2020 of the Asylum, Migration and Integration

Fund (AMIF), which was approved by the European Commission in 2015, an Action is planned/provided for with the title “Establishing Migrant Support Centres”, which will operate as coordination centers of various

161See: Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare/Standing Committee on Social Affairs (2015) Ratification of the Revised European Social Charter (January 20, 2016). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare/Standing Committee on Social Affairs/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/zVgSgW, accessed: January 25, 2016). 162 See: http://ete.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/proskl-1-1-13.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 actions of integration, with emphasis on actions and campaigns for the combating of discrimination (anti-discrimination campaigns), racism and xenophobia, as well as on actions of strengthening vulnerable groups of migrants. The Action includes the following objectives:

a) increase of the degree of participation of third country nationals in the process of integration, b) provision of comprehensive legal services to third country nationals who are in need, as well as

provision of integrated/comprehensive social and psychological services, c) improvement of the access of third country nationals to public goods and services, d) combating of xenophobia and racism163, e) increase of the degree of interaction of third country nationals with the Greek society as well as

their participation in collaborative processes. The abovementioned Migrant Support Centres, are planned/provided for to have the following

responsibilities: a) facilitation of the access of third country nationals to public goods and services, b) provision of counseling and information regarding legal issues, issues related to migration status,

access to services of security and training issues, c) promotion of the intercultural further training for all civil servants/officials of all levels of

administration, d) provision of support to third country nationals in order to participate in groups and organizations

established/based in the Municipality, where they reside, e) cooperation with the Health Centers and the Migrant Integration Councils (MIC) of the

Municipalities, as well as with organizations and associations of migrants, f) organization of events and establishment/creation of a library, g) provision of specialized services (e.g. regarding issues of gender, mental illness, addiction).

163 See: Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN) (2016) 2015 Annual Report. Athens: Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN). Available at: http://goo.gl/5qr4zz (in English) and http://goo.gl/kxRT1E (in Greek). See also: Theodoridis, N. (ed.) (2015) ANTIGONE – Annual Report 2015. Registration of Phenomena, Issues and Incidents of Racism, Discrimination , Xenophobia but also Research Studies or Good Practices of the Administration in the 6 Crucial Fields of Employment, Legislation, Education, Housing, Racist Violence and Health Welfare. Athens: ANTIGONE - Information and Documentation Center on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non Violence. Available at: http://goo.gl/Zilyxw (in Greek).

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

Non-discrimination

The legal framework for combating discrimination includes Law no. 3304/2005, which is continued and applied in 2015 and concerns the implementation of the Principle of equal treatment, due to ethnic or racial origin, religious or other beliefs, disability, age or as the law states, sexual orientation. This particular law transferred two Directives, the Directives: 2000/43/EC of the Council of June 29, 2000 and 2000/78/EC of the Council of November 27, 2000, so as to ensure the application of the Principle of equal treatment164. The Directive 2000/43/EC, prohibits both for the public and for the private sector, the discriminations on the above reasons, relating to work, working conditions, social provisions/welfare, trade unionism, education, goods and other services etc.165.

Also, in 2015 a Legislative Drafting Committee was established in the Hellenic Ministry of Justice in accordance with the Official Government Gazette (OGG) 2165 of 08 October 2015166, where a modification and improvement of Law 3304 is attempted. This particular Law included three (3) institutions of equal treatment:

a) the Greek Ombudsman for the cases where the principle is violated in the public sector, b) the Labour Inspectorate for violation cases in the private sector, and c) the Commission of Equal treatment of the Hellenic Ministry of Justice for all the other cases. What is primarily attempted is that all these competences to be transferred to the Greek

Ombudsman, as a single, independent institution, which on labour issues will cooperate with the Labour Inspectorate, and generally an attempt to improve the legislative framework is made. It should be noted that in the Directives and the Law there is the exclusion of citizenship, that is to say, the Principle does not apply to the conditions of entry and residence for third country nationals. This does not mean that it does not apply to the rights emerging from the residence permits where appropriate, that third country nationals have. In addition, the proposal contains the inclusion of some other reasons such as along with the ethnic to include the national, colour and of course to replace the term gender identity and to implement the term sexual orientation and identity-gender. Moreover, the notion of multiple discrimination is introduced, which has existed in a legislation in another provision concerning the Labour Inspectorate, as an institution of equality for the discriminations in order to examine cases involving much more discriminations, like e.g. a female migrant. This concerns a Draft Law which will result from the Legislative Drafting Committee and will make a recommendation to the competent Ministries167.

In the framework of the Annual Programme 2013 of the European Integration Fund (EIF) the below

Projects, were implemented: - The Project 1.2.b/13 entitled “Raising awareness of students on issues of racism”, which via

targeted interventions in schools aimed at: a) Raising awareness of students (natives and immigrants) on the phenomena of racism,

xenophobia and discrimination, b) Combating negative stereotypes, prejudices and attitudes towards diversity, and c) Learning of a healthy addressing of the above-mentioned phenomena through arguments,

attitudes and action. - The 3.1c/13 Programme: “Intercultural Further Training of employees of the former Hellenic Ministry of Public Order and

164 See: http://www.ministryofjustice.gr/site/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=DE1eX1PkWuw%3D&tabid=132 165 Interview with Stathopoulou Theodora Directorate of Social Protection and Social Inclusion, Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, 11 March 2016. 166 See: http://goo.gl/bB01sg 167 Interview with Stathopoulou Theodora, Directorate of Social Protection and Social Inclusion, Hellenic Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, 11 March 2016.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 Citizen Protection and now Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, against discriminations based on ethnic origin, gender and skin colour”, with which, via the implementation of training programmes in thirteen (13) regions of Greece (and in the seven (7) Integrated Decentralized Administrations of the country), three hundred fifty six (356) individuals were further trained (two hundred seventy four (274) employees of the Hellenic Ministry of Citizen Protection and eighty two (82) municipal police officers), aiming at:

a) the acquisition of intercultural skills, b) the awareness raising/sensitization of them regarding, issues of discrimination against third

country nationals for reasons of ethnic origin, gender and racial origin, and the facilitation of their work/mission, and

c) the protection of the human rights of third country nationals and the facilitation of their communication with employees/officials dealing with their issues.

Furthermore, in the Multiannual Programme 2014-2020 of the Asylum, Migration and Integration

Fund (AMIF), which was approved by the European Commission in 2015, an Action is planned/provided for with the title “Establishing Migrant Support Centres”, which will operate as coordination centers of various actions of integration, with emphasis on actions and campaigns for the combating of discrimination (anti-discrimination campaigns), racism and xenophobia168, as well as on actions of strengthening vulnerable groups of migrants. The Action includes the following objectives:

a) increase of the degree of participation of third country nationals in the process of integration, b) provision of comprehensive legal services to third country nationals who are in need, as well as

provision of integrated/comprehensive social and psychological services, c) improvement of the access of third country nationals to public goods and services, d) combating of xenophobia and racism, e) increase of the degree of interaction of third country nationals with the Greek society as well as

their participation in collaborative processes. The abovementioned Migrant Support Centres, are planned/provided for to have the following

responsibilities: a) facilitation of the access of third country nationals to public goods and services, b) provision of counseling and information regarding legal issues, issues related to migration status,

access to services of security and training issues, c) promotion of the intercultural further training for all civil servants/officials of all levels of

administration, d) provision of support to third country nationals in order to participate in groups and organizations

established/based in the Municipality, where they reside, e) cooperation with the Health Centers and the Migrant Integration Councils (MIC) of the

Municipalities, as well as with organizations and associations of migrants, f) organization of events and establishment/creation of a library, g) provision of specialized services (e.g. regarding issues of gender, mental illness, addiction). Also, in 2015, a co-training of Hellenic Police officers and officers of the Greek Ombudsman on the

subject area: “Racist crimes, hate crimes and their handling by the Police”. The co-training concerned a group of nineteen (19) Police officers and four (4) officers of the Greek Ombudsman, entitled: “Racist crimes, hate crimes and their handling by the Police”, which took place on 26 and 27 of October 2015, with the support of the School of Further Education and Training of the Hellenic Police, at its premises in Acharnes in Attica. This co-training was organized in the framework of the co-operation of the Hellenic

168 See: Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN) (2016) 2015 Annual Report. Athens: Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN). Available at: http://goo.gl/5qr4zz (in English) and http://goo.gl/kxRT1E (in Greek).

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 Police with the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODHIR169).

The handbook/manual “Muslims, Cultural and Religious Differences, for the Personnel that offers First Reception Services”, by the First Reception Service, was published in March 2015, in Greek and in English170.

169 See: http://www.astynomia.gr/index.php?option=ozo_content&lang=%27..%27&perform=view&id=58014&Itemid=1588&lang= 170 See: http://www.firstreception.gov.gr/PRImages/Prints/34_MUSLIMS_PRINT_CULTURAL_AND_RELIGIOUS_DIVERSITIES.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 Cooperation, consultation and coordination of stakeholders and promoting action at local level

In the framework of the Annual Programme 2013 of the European Integration Fund (EIF) the

following Projects were implemented: - 1.1.c/13 entitled “Programme of Support of Migrant Integration Councils (MIC) for the design and

implementation of integration initiatives at local level”, which via the implementation of workshops (in which members of Migrant Integration Councils (MICs) and Municipal Councilors participated) regarding the design and implementation of integration of actions at local level and the elaboration and distribution in the municipalities of the country of a “Joint Manual of Configuration of Local Policy for the Social Integration of Third Country Nationals” aimed at, on the one hand, identifying the needs of the local society and facilitating the designing of actions of integration, and on the other hand, to identify and use/development of funding tools to implement local actions of integration.

- 3.1.a/13 entitled “Development of dexterities of employees of Municipalities regarding issues of designing and implementing actions of integration in the local society, as well as employees of the Decentralized Administrations for the implementation of their integration strategies”, which via the information of employees of Organizations of Local Government (ΟΤΑ)/Local and Prefectural/Regional Authorities of A΄ level and of the Decentralized Administrations for existing European funding tools and their training regarding the elaboration and implementation of actions of integration in local societies aimed at facilitating the exercise of integration policy at local level.

Also, in April 2015, the second edition of the handbook/manual for the provision of information to the First Reception Service personnel regarding the European Convention on Human Rights, was released.

Furthermore, under the Multiannual Programme 2014-2020 of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), which was approved by the European Commission in 2015, an Action is planned/provided for with the title “Establishing Migrant Support Centres”, which will operate as coordination centers of various actions of integration, with emphasis on actions and campaigns for the combating of discrimination (anti-discrimination campaigns), racism and xenophobia, as well as on actions of strengthening vulnerable groups of migrants. The Action includes the following objectives:

a) increase of the degree of participation of third country nationals in the process of integration, b) provision of comprehensive legal services to third country nationals who are in need, as well as

provision of integrated/comprehensive social and psychological services, c) improvement of the access of third country nationals to public goods and services, d) combating of xenophobia and racism, e) increase of the degree of interaction of third country nationals with the Greek society as well as

their participation in collaborative processes. The abovementioned Migrant Support Centres, are planned/provided for to have the following

responsibilities: a) facilitation of the access of third country nationals to public goods and services, b) provision of counseling and information regarding legal issues, issues related to migration status,

access to services of security and training issues, c) promotion of the intercultural further training for all civil servants/officials of all levels of

administration, d) provision of support to third country nationals in order to participate in groups and organizations

established/based in the Municipality, where they reside, e) cooperation with the Health Centers and the Migrant Integration Councils (MIC) of the

Municipalities, as well as with organizations and associations of migrants, f) organization of events and establishment/creation of a library, g) provision of specialized services (e.g. regarding issues of gender, mental illness, addiction).

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015

Involvement of countries of origin

According to the Report of 2015 of the European Commission for the management of refugee flows in Greece, the promotion of the participation by engagement of with third countries on the readmission process of third country nationals, is provided171. Routes to and conditions of legal migration

The Radio Station Athina 9.84, the Hellenic Post Office (ELTA) and the newspaper Athens Voice published/released a fourfold leaflet with the slogan “Are you a refugee? All you need to know”; a survival manual, which is disseminated/sent through the Hellenic Post Office (ELTA) to the areas of refugee reception. The leaflets were 80.000 with a content compiled by a group of journalists of the radio station Athina 9.84. The design and the cost of printing was undertaken by the Hellenic Post Office (ELTA). They were published in October and November in English-Arabic, in English-Afghan.

These were distributed to voluntary organizations in Lesvos, Kos, Leros, Rhodes, to international organizations such as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as PRAKSIS, institutions such as the Medecins du Monde, Medecins sans Frontieres, the port of Piraeus, the Hotels Association of Attica, as inserted material in the newspaper “Athens Voice” (in Idomeni) and at the Hellenic Post Offices (ELTA) in the islands.

The Radio Station Athina 9.84 broadcasts daily, every evening at 9pm (at 98.3) a 15minute news bulletin in Arabic, which is re-broadcasted at 6am in the morning of the next day with news and useful information172. The broadcast includes all useful information on the reception centres, humanitarian organizations, announcements and measures taken by the Hellenic Authorities, news and information concerning the European Commission, as well as, news from the reception countries across Europe173.

A Multi-guide for male and female migrants was published in June 2015, as part of the Project 1.4.b/13 “Radio broadcasts on issues regarding immigrants, reproduction and wide distribution of structured printed, sound and audiovisual material”, co-funded by 95% from Community Funds and by 5% from National Resources, and it was implemented in the framework of the Annual Programme 2013 of the European Integration Fund (EIF) for third country nationals, with the co-funding of the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction and in collaboration with BEEGROUP SA, Network Services Business Consultants, PRAKSIS-Programmes of Development, Social Support and Medical Cooperation and Dimitra Educational Counselling SA.

This particular project has as ultimate goal to be a functional tool for the daily life of third country nationals, who are living in Greece. The Multi-guide was created in an electronic version/format in nine (9) languages (Greek, English, French, Swahili, Albanian, Russian, Punjabi and Urdu) and in printed version/format in two (2) languages (Greek and English), and provides information, advices and guidance on the following themes/subject areas, that the immigrant communities of Greece themselves, have highlighted as important:

- System of Governance in Greece - Geography, culture, entertainment, food, customs/traditions, religion - Issues of immigration policy - Health, Employment, Education/Training, Housing, Welfare, Social Services - Maps, emergency numbers, information regarding public transportation, useful information on

various practical topics (tips) and statistic data on migration174. - Also, at this point, the Posters of the First Reception Service aiming at social awareness

171 See: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-migration/background-information/docs/greece_state_of_play_report_en.pdf 172 See: http://www.athina984.gr/2015/10/15/enwnoume-dynameis-gia-tous-prosfyges/ 173 See: http://www.athina984.gr/2015/10/15/enwnoume-dynameis-gia-tous-prosfyges/ 174 See: http://www.learnaboutgreece.gr/

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 raising/sensitization, are presented below:

- World Refugee Day 2015175: http://goo.gl/caj5eU and http://goo.gl/I0y2g8 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2015176: http://goo.gl/9pYkP6 - Human Rights International Day 2015177: http://goo.gl/TxctPf - International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2015178: http://goo.gl/2qiouc

Prevention of unsafe migration

At European level, on November 11 and 12, 2015, the Valletta Summit on migration was held, in

which Greece participated by contributing to the joint cooperation between the EU and African countries (European and African Heads of State and Government) in order to find common solutions to mutual challenges, focusing on five (5) specific sectors:

- Address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement - Enhance cooperation on legal migration and mobility - Reinforce the protection of migrants and asylum seekers - Prevent and fight against irregular migration, migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings - Improve the cooperation regarding the issues of return, readmission and reintegration179.

Awareness raising in the host society

The unconditional care and response on behalf of the society, local societies and communities, the

civil society and the actions/acts of solidarity of Greek citizens towards the incoming populations, is extremely important and extensive, particularly during 2015, where the refugee and migrant flows increased significantly. This warm reception was exceptional, at European and international level, to a global issue180.

Greek fishermen conduct themselves multiple rescues on a daily basis. The citizens not only collectively, via collective and organized/coordinated actions and awareness raising/sensitization campaigns, but also via individual initiatives, have shown outstanding support to the refugees by providing every possible form of assistance and care.

Professionals of all specialties, medical doctors, teachers, students, entrepreneurs et al., have taken and continue to take initiatives in order to provide humanitarian assistance in every region of the country181.

175 See: http://firstreception.gov.gr/news-detail.php?lang=gr&type=press&id=32 176 See: http://firstreception.gov.gr/news-detail.php?type=press&id=42 177 See: http://firstreception.gov.gr/news-detail.php?type=press&id=43 178 See: http://firstreception.gov.gr/news-detail.php?lang=gr&type=press&id=31 179 See: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2015/11/11-12/ 180See: diaNEOsis/Public Issue (2016) The Refugee Problem and the Greeks. Opinion Survey. Outline Presentation of the Research and Main Conclusions. February 2016. Athens: DiaNEOsis (accessed: March 1, 2016, available at: http://www.dianeosis.org/research/oi-ellines-kai-to-prosfygiko-provlima/ and http://www.dianeosis.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/immigration_04.pdf). 181 See: Imerisia Newspaper (2015) “The Greeks Teach solidarity to the Whole World”, Imerisia Newspaper, 25 October 2015, (accessed: March 1, 2016, available at: http://www.imerisia.gr/article.asp?catid=26510&subid=2&pubid=113816573 (in Greek).

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 6. MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT Referring also to section I.1 and I.2 of the introduction to these specifications, outline relevant developments in your (Member) State in relation to migration and development. Pointers for specific issues for this section relevant to national audiences and based on previous national reports might include developments associated with: Mitigating ‘brain drain’ Migrants’ remittances Working with diasporas

Progress towards mainstreaming of migration in development policies

The National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) (2014-2020), which was signed on May 23,

2014, but the actions are implemented (and) within the 2015, includes actions of social integration of marginalized communities, such as immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees, et al., based on four pillars: housing, employment, education and health, aiming at:

a) The establishment/creation of new and/or improvement of existing housing facilities for

individuals experiencing, or are faced with the problem of homelessness, b) The decline of school dropouts, c) The provision of services of health, sanitation and welfare, d) Information and individual empowerment, e) Vocational and business counseling and training, f) Strengthening of employment via community service and social entrepreneurship. Specifically, the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) includes the development by

prefecture/region at local level, compensated actions, where is needed by investment priorities of the European Social Fund (ESF) and in synergy with actions under the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD).

These actions aim at a holistic intervention and include the provision of basic services and goods, support to pupils of vulnerable groups for their early school enrollment, school attendance and transition from one level of education to another and promotion into the labour market.

It is also planned/provided for the development of integrated interventions regarding issues of smooth integration of third country nationals who are seeking asylum in the country and involve: the establishment/creation of new structures and the reconstruction/renovation of the existing structures of hospitality/reception as well as and the short-term cover of their operational costs, the provision of medical, legal and psychosocial support, the implementation of programmes of training and personal development of skills of asylum seekers, of beneficiaries of international protection and vulnerable groups of third countries nationals, as well as to inform, raise awareness/sensitize of Greek nationals in cooperation with the local society/community for the purposes of smooth operation of the above structures.

The activation of the civil society, local government and volunteers is considered as particularly important. Combat against discrimination of marginalized communities through targeted information campaigns and awareness raising/sensitization of citizens, mainly of students and young individuals, is imperative.

Especially for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, the interventions will be complementary to the actions of the European Funds: Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and Internal Security Fund (ISF)182.

182 See: http://www.esfhellas.gr/el/Documents/%CE%9D%CE%95%CE%91%20%CE%A0%CE%A0/PA_ESPA_2014-2020_220514_full.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 Cooperation with partner/third countries for economic migration

In the Multiannual Programme 2014-2020 of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), which approved by the European Commission in 2015, an Action is planned/provided for with the title “Strengthening the relations of Greece with the countries of origin of third country nationals and implementation of programmes for the better integration of third country nationals in the host society”.

In the context of this action at least three (3) introductory programmes will be implemented/materialized, in countries of origin of legal immigrants with which Greece has signed or will sign Mobility Partnerships and Bilateral Agreements. These programs will include, at least, the following topics:

a) Learning aspects of the Greek language, so that trainees be able to develop the basic communication skills in written and spoken word,

b) Information on the conditions prevailing and the needs that exist in the Greek labour market as well as vocational training

c) Provision of information concerning practical issues of everyday life as well as with issues of particular importance for third country nationals (such as social security, renewal of residence permits, rights of migrants).

Remittances of migrants

Regarding the remittances of migrants, the Act of Legislative Content on July 18, 2015, was

published: “Emergency regulations for establishing restrictions on cash withdrawal and transfer of capitals and amendments to laws 4063/2012, 4172/2013, 4331/2015 and 4334/2015”, (Official Government Gazette (OGG) A΄ 84/18 July 2015), [As amended with the Directorate General Economic Policy (GDOP) 0001027 EX 2015/24 July 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) B΄ 1561/24 July 2015), the Directorate General Economic Policy (GDOP) 0001133 EX 2015/17 August 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) B΄ 1721/17 August 2015), the Directorate General Economic Policy (GDOP) 0001258 EX 2015/25 September 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) B΄ 2100/25 September 2015), the Directorate General Economic Policy (GDOP) 0001292 EX 2015/02 October 2015 (Official Gazette of the Hellenic Government B΄ 2131/02 October 2015), the Directorate General Economic Policy (GDOP) 0001376 EX 2015/26 October 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) B΄ 2387/06 November 2015), the Directorate General Economic Policy (GDOP) 0001608 EX/07 December 2015 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) B΄ 2625/07 December 2015), and the Directorate General Economic Policy (GDOP) 0000012 ON 2016/07 January 2016 (Official Government Gazette (OGG) B΄ 4/07 January 2016)].

Specifically, according to Article 1, Par. 4: The transfer of capitals or cash abroad, by any means, is prohibited, including transfer of order of capitals transfer to accounts held in credit institutions established and operating abroad and transfer of capitals using credit, debit and prepaid cards for cross-border payments.

The transfer of banknotes in euros or in foreign currency up to the amount of two thousand (2.000) or the equivalent in foreign currency per individual and per journey abroad is specifically permitted, until the issuing of the projected in the paragraph 17 of this article act of the Governor of the Bank of Greece. From the limiting of the preceding paragraph section are excluded the permanent residents who are living abroad. The acceptance and execution of orders of capitals transfer towards abroad from credit institutions up to the amount of five hundred (500) per depositor (Customer ID) and per calendar month, up to monthly limit in euros for the total of the above institutions is specifically permitted, which will be defined and distributed per credit institution by the decision of the Committee of Approval of Bank Transactions.

Amendment: Paragraph 5a, was put as added by the decision Directorate General Economic Policy (GDOP)

0001133 EX 2015/17 August 2015 and replaced by Directorate General Economic Policy (GDOP) 0001258 EX 2015/X.P. 2672/25 September 2015.

5. By derogation of the projected in paragraph 4 of this Article, the use of credit and debit card is permitted abroad, for purchases of goods or services without cash, up to the highest limit defined per credit institution with decision of the Committee of Approval of Bank Transactions.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 5a. By derogation of the projected of paragraph 4 of this article, the acceptance and execution of

orders of capitals transfer towards abroad from the supervised by the Bank of Greece payment institutions is allowed, including their representatives, as well as from payment institutions in other Member-States of the EU that provide legally through their representatives in Greece or via the Greek Post SA company, remittance services (money remittance) up to the amount of five hundred (500) euros per physical person/payer per calendar month, and up to a monthly limit in euros for the total of all those providers of Payment Services, which will define and distributes per provider of Payment Services, by decision of the Committee of Approval of Bank Transactions. The limit per provider of Payment Services, the exact calculation method of which shall be decided by the Committee of Approval of Bank Transactions, is understood as the balance resulting on a monthly basis after offsetting the incoming (to Greece) with the outgoing (towards abroad) remittances that have been carried out by the provider of Payment Services.

Regarding new or planned measures for the mitigation of the repercussions of “brain drain” – via, for example: awareness rising actions, development of data and indicators on this phenomenon, prevention, list of countries and professions subjected to brain drain – there were no developments in 2015.

Regarding new or planned national policies or actions for involving diaspora groups in development initiatives and supporting diaspora groups in their efforts to enhance development in their countries of origin, there were no developments in 2015.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 7. IRREGULAR MIGRATION INCLUDING SMUGGLING Referring also to section I.1 and I.2 of the introduction to these specifications, outline all relevant developments in your (Member) State in relation to irregular migration including facilitation (human smuggling). Pointers for specific issues for this section relevant to national audiences and based on previous national reports might include developments associated with: National measures to reduce irregular migration Regularisation Living conditions of illegally-staying third-country nationals Coordination and cooperation amongst key actors Monitoring activities of smugglers and victims of smuggling

Border control measures

i) With regard to the EU entry/exit system, developments are expected to take place in 2016. ii) The EU Registered Traveller Programme, called “registered regular traveller”, is in progress. In 2015, with the VIS system, all visas are checked during the controls at the borders and in that

way the capability during the passport control to detect forged visas, or individuals that are wanted etc. is increased, which was a development in 2015183.

iii) In compliance with the legal acts of the Schengen Information System II (SIS II) (article 27 of the Regulation and article 40 of the Decision Schengen Information System II (SIS II)) access to the System is planned to have:

• The Police forces and border guarding services, • Customs Authorities/control/check services, • Judicial authorities responsible for the prosecution in the context of penal proceedings and

for conducting judicial inquiry prior to indictment, • The authorities responsible for issuing visas and residence permits, and • The authorities responsible for issuing vehicle registration certificates. At national level, access to Schengen Information System II (SIS II)-General Schengen Searches, is

planned to be gained by the Hellenic Police, the Hellenic Coast Guard, the Custom Authorities, the Hellenic Ministry of Justice Transparency and Human Rights, the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and the Hellenic Ministry of Transports. Each service may have access to data records that are relevant to the subject of its mission.

For the time being, access to the Schengen Information System (SIS) have the Hellenic Police and the Hellenic Coast Guard, for all entries, the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding entries of article 24 of the Schengen Information System II (SIS II) Regulation and Customs Authorities regarding Art. 36 and 38 of the Decision Schengen Information System II (SIS II)184.

iv) For the effective control of the external borders185, the Hellenic Police proceeded to the supply

of four (4) thermal imaging cameras funded by European Programmes186.

183 Interview with Nikolopoulos Leonidas, Expert-Advisor A΄, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09 March 2016. 184 See: http://www.hellenicpolice.gr/index.php?option=ozo_content&lang=%27..%27&perform=view&id=26982&Itemid=898&lang= 185 See: Hellenic Ministry of Mercantile Marine and Island Policy/Ministry of National Defense/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1247: Regarding the terrorist attack in Paris and the Hellenic Government’s position with respect to the refugee and irregular migration (November 18, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Mercantile Marine and Island Policy/Ministry of National Defense/Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/xvRlMD, accessed: December 20, 2015). 186 Interview with Christos-Ioannis Tsopouridis, Directorate of Enforcement of Irregular Immigration of the Branch of Foreigners and Border Protection, Headquarters of the Hellenic Police, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 04 March 2016.

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the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex) on December 28, 2015, announced, the deployment of two hundred ninety three (293) officers and fifteen (15) ships for the Greek islands as part of the new operation entitled “Rapid Intervention Poseidon”, after Greek request for supplementary assistance at the external borders in the Aegean, earlier the same month.

The operation “Rapid Response Poseidon” replaces the joint operation “Poseidon at sea”, providing larger number of personnel, which will help in the identification and fingerprinting of the incoming populations, in combination with interpreters and expects in the detection of false/counterfeit documents. The operation of rapid response “Poseidon” aims to provide Greece with additional technical support aimed at strengthening border surveillance, registration/identification and capacity/capability of recognition/identification of the incoming populations.

According to the operation regulation of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex), upon a request of a Member-State which is facing a situation of high migratory pressure at its external borders, the Agency may send European border guard teams, for a specified period of time, in the territory of the State that made the request. It should be noted that, while the participation in the joint operations of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex) is voluntary, Member-States are obliged to send border guards for the rapid development of operational support, unless they themselves, are experiencing an emergency need, which is substantially affecting the implementation of national obligations.

The number of border guards will gradually increase in number in over than four hundred (400) personnel, as well as they will have and additional vessels, machinery and other technical equipment for the provision of assistance in the management of the unprecedented immigration pressure at the external borders of Greece187.

Regarding the “Operation of Rapid Reaction Poseidon” (Rabbits)188 the total number of participants amounted to six hundred eighty one (681) individuals, of which two hundred twenty four (224) are Greek and the rest are “Guest Officers”189.

On Wednesday, October 21, 2015, the President of the European Commission, convened a Summit of Leaders on the issue of refugee flows along the Western Balkans, in order to address the situation of emergency need that has been developed along this route. At this summit, the leaders agreed that Greece, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania need to strengthen the management of the external land borders. In this context, on December 3, 2015, the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex) has reached agreement with Greece, in order to assist in the recording of incoming populations that had not yet been recorded in the country190.

Two hundred ninety three (293) officials of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex)191 have already been established in the hotspots192 and two hundred thirteen (213) in areas outside the hotspots, while it is expected that one hundred sixty five (165) additional officials will be established. Moreover, forty six (46) machines of fingerprint detection, have been put into operation, while it is

187 See: http://frontex.europa.eu/news/frontex-launches-rapid-operational-assistance-in-greece-u3rqPy 188 The new Operation provides for/has planned, except from the strengthening of available operational means (sea and air), the strengthening/intensification of the activities of land patrols with the use of vehicles of patrol and personnel of border surveillance (Border Surveillance Officers) that are made available from the Member-States, for the surveillance of coastal areas. On this basis, the interconnection of activities of maritime, aerial and overland surveillance was achieved, which led in the last quarter of 2015 to a high rate/level of detections at sea, with the relative percentages amounting to 61% of the total of incidents compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year when this percentage was 23%. (Information and data provided by the Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism). 189 Interview with Christos-Ioannis Tsopouridis, Directorate of Enforcement of Irregular Immigration of the Branch of Foreigners and Border Protection, Headquarters of the Hellenic Police, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 04 March 2016. 190 See: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6249_el.htm 191 See: http://frontex.europa.eu/news/frontex-launches-rapid-operational-assistance-in-greece-u3rqPy 192 The successful interconnection of activities of maritime surveillance with those of the administrative record of third country nationals – through the launch into operation of an efficient and fully coordinated mechanism of management of the incoming populations since and their point of localization in the marine field, until the designated points and the procedures of their recording – comprises a crucial point for the implementation of the operation of Hot spots. (Information and data provided by the Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism).

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Annual Policy Report 2015 expected that additional thirty (30) will start operating, while the immigrant fingerprints will be systematically recorded in the European system Eurodac193194.

Regarding the validity of the numbers regarding hotspots, the Hellenic Ministry of Migration Policy is responsible.

Preventing and combating irregular immigration by ensuring reinforced cooperation with third countries in the area of border management

The launch of a Joint Action Plan between the European Union (EU) and Turkey, in order to

intensify their cooperation for the support of Syrians who are under status of temporary protection, and the management of migration, resulted from the meeting of representatives of the European Union and Turkey on May 17, 2015 and the informal summit of the Heads of States and the Governments of the European Union on September 23, 2015, where the EU leaders called for strengthening of dialogue with Turkey at all levels. The Action Plan determines a series of joint actions that must be implemented immediately by the European Union (EU) and Turkey, in order to strengthen the efforts of Turkey in the management of massive population flows of individuals in need of temporary protection.

This Action Plan reflects the understanding between the European Union (EU) and Turkey to reinforce their cooperation on the provision of support to Syrians, under temporary protection and the management of migration via a coordinated effort, in order to address the crisis that was created by the situation in Syria.

The Action Plan aims to manage the current critical situation in three (3) ways: (a) By addressing the root causes leading to the massive influx of Syrians, (b) by supporting Syrians under temporary protection and the reception communities in Turkey (Part I), and (c) by strengthening of the cooperation for the prevention of irregular migration flows to the European Union (Part II).

The European Union and Turkey will address this crisis together with a spirit of sharing the responsibilities/burdens. The plan is based on the commitments taken by Turkey and the European Union in other sectors, particularly in the liberalization of entry visa. In both parts of the Plan, the actions to be implemented simultaneously by Turkey and the European Union, are defined.

The implementation of the Action Plan will be jointly coordinated and supervised/monitored by the European Commission and the High Representative/Vice President and the Turkish Government, via the establishment of the Euro-Turkish working group of high expertise, on the sector of migration195.

Moreover, a meeting has been realized between Messrs. Chiefs of the Hellenic Police Chiefs and the Police of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), for the improvement of cooperation in the sector of border management, especially on the issue of refugees in the region Idomeni196.

193 As a result of the operations of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex), the increase of awareness of the situation as well as the complete and permanent control of the movement of the individuals concerned within the meaning of the effective implementation of the Schengen Borders Code regarding the control/check of transboundary movement are achieved, in a way that eliminates the possibility of intrusion of any individuals within the European area without verification of their identity. (Information and data provided by the Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism). 194 See: http://frontex.europa.eu/news/frontex-launches-rapid-operational-assistance-in-greece-u3rqPy 195 See: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-15-5860_el.htm 196 Interview with Christos-Ioannis Tsopouridis, Directorate of Enforcement of Irregular Immigration of the Branch of Foreigners and Border Protection, Headquarters of the Hellenic Police, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 04 March 2016.

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Annual Policy Report 2015

Irregular migration caused by visa liberalisation a) In Greece cases of “overstayers” have been recorded, i.e. individuals who have violated the

length of their residence in the Schengen area. The phenomenon magnified when the visa liberalization with the Western Balkan countries took place, but this is not a recent development. The European Commission and the Member-States have established a mechanism of monitoring the visa liberalization process. There were no developments in this sector during 2015.

b) There were not identified any unfounded asylum applications; only incidents illegally remaining “overstayers”, mainly from Albania.

c) There is difference, between the case of an individual coming from a Western Balkan country with which there is a readmission agreement, and the case of a third country national, especially from Pakistan and Afghanistan197. Irregular migration through misuse of family reunification

For the cases of misuse of family reunification, like e.g. marriages of convenience, there are

Directives but at EU level198. At national level, according to the Ministerial Decision no. 53404, (Official Government Gazette

(OGG) B’ 1699/05 August 2015), regarding the Determination of referral reasons to the Committees of paragraph 1 of the Article 134 of Law 4251/2014, as in force, and the Official Government Gazette (OGG) no. 1699/B’/14 August 2015, it is defined that, in the case of the existence of indications/evidence that the familial relation, especially marriage, the civil partnership agreement, the adoption or the recognition of children, has been concluded in order to circumvent of the provisions of the existing legislation, in order to achieve residence in the country, and in the case of the existence of indications/evidence of illegitimate or abusive request, an investigation should be carried out, in order to protect the fundamental rights of asylum seekers and their family members, particularly in accordance with Articles 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and 12 (right to marriage act) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and Articles 7 and 9 of the EU Charter of the European Union199.

Irregular migration through misuse of student migration

Cases of exploitation of visa holders for student migration have been observed. For example in the

tourism sector, third country nationals being invited to the country under the pretext of internship and in order to be led to the informal work/undeclared employment200, as well as there are certain incidents of misuse of the corresponding visa for student migration, by the legal holders, themselves.

However, the incidents were few because at the level of legislation, and in relation to the entry and residence permits, there is a quite strict legal framework which leaves no room for misuse/abuse201.

197 Interview with Nikolopoulos Leonidas, Expert-Advisor A΄, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09 March 2016. 198 Interview with Nikolopoulos Leonidas, Expert-Advisor A΄, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09 March 2016. 199 See: http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/apof53404-05082015.pdf 200 Regarding the repercussions of work and employment in precarious, low-status/wage jobs on immigrants and refugees in Greece, see: Fouskas, Τ. (2012b) “Immigrants from Palestine”, in Fouskas, T. Immigrant ‘Communities’ and Work Representation: The Consequences of Low-Status Work of Five Immigrant Groups on the Participation in Their Work Associations. Athens: Papazisi Publishers, 478-569 (in Greek); Fouskas, Τ. (2013) “Low-status Work Consequences on Immigrant Workers’ Organization: The Cases of Five Immigrant Groups in Athens”, International Review of Sociology, 23(3):671-698; Schneider, F. and Williams, C. (2013) The Shadow Economy. London: Institute of Economic Affairs, 52-96; Psimmenos, I. (ed.) (2013) Work and Social Inequalities. Athens: Alexandria Publishers (in Greek); Fouskas, T. and Tsevrenis, V. (eds.) (2014) Contemporary Immigration in Greece: A Sourcebook. Athens: European Public Law Organization (EPLO) Publications; Fouskas, Τ. (2014) Nigerian Immigrants in Greece: Low-status Work, Community, and Decollectivization. New York: Nova Science Publishers; Fouskas, T. (2016a) “Repercussions of Precarious, Low-Status Work Regarding Access to Healthcare Services by Immigrant Workers in Greece: Seasonal Flu or an Incurable Disease?”, in Jared A. Jaworski (Ed.) Advances in Sociology Research. Volume 18. New York: Nova Science Publisher, 13-74; Fouskas, T. (2016b) “They Do Not Represent us! Repercussions of Precarious, Low-Status Work on Participation of Immigrants in Trade Unions in Greece”, in Jared A. Jaworski (Ed.) Advances in Sociology Research. Volume 18. New York: Nova Science Publisher, 75-126. 201 Interview with Liousis Nikolaos, Expert, Ambassador-Director, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs,09 March 2016.

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Irregular migration caused by use of false travel documents

The use of false travel documents is an ongoing problem faced by all Member-States. The Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in order to address this phenomenon emphasizes on the training of the personnel in the Consulates, they participate in training programmes implemented by the Diplomatic Academy, usually with the participation of an Officer of the Hellenic Police, where the employees of the Consulates are trained on identifying/detecting false travel documents.

Trainings took place also in 2015. Specifically, two (2) training courses at the Diplomatic Academy, and three (3) training missions to Consular Authorities, were implemented202. Regarding the prevention and detection and identification of false travel documents:

- From 2015 until nowadays, trainings are implemented at regular intervals, either within the

country or abroad, regarding the detection of false travel documents by experts of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex).

- IRIS SL34B suitcase type devices of detection of false/counterfeit documents, have been installed in the hotspots centres of Leros and Lesvos, for the detection of falseness/forgery of those documents that are submitted by the new coming foreigners.

- Orders to the Directorates of Passport Control of the country have been issued, so as to conduct a thorough examination of travel documents of the individuals who wish to travel from Greece to other countries of the European Union.

- Each year, like 2015, trainings are conducted, at the School of Further Education and Training of the Hellenic Police in Athens, for border guards and police officers who are serving at the Border Guard Departments/Sections, at the Departments of Enforcement of Irregular Immigration and in the Services of Passport Control. Last year, in total two hundred (200) police officers were trained and the training was financed by Community Funds of the Internal Security Fund (ISF)203.

The table below illustrates those who were arrested regarding false/counterfeit or forged

documents for the year 2015:

DENIALS OF ENTRY DUE TO FALSE OR FORGED DOCUMENTS FOR 2015 JANUARY 15

FEBRUARY 21 MARCH 21 APRIL 26 MAY 10 JUNE 24 JULY 17

AUGUST 70 SEPTEMBER 42

OCTOBER 29 NOVEMBER 6 DECEMBER 24

TOTAL 305

202 Interview with Nikolopoulos Leonidas, Expert-Advisor A΄, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09 March 2016. 203 See: http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/ISF-Programme.pdf

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Annual Policy Report 2015 Irregular migration caused by the abuse of free movement rights by third country nationals and preventing the fraudulent acquisition and use of free movement rights by third-country nationals Various actions have been implemented mainly at European level204.

The fight against facilitation of irregular migration (‘smuggling’)

The President of the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) realized a three (3) day visit in Greece in December 2015, in order to discuss the current migration crisis, accompanied by the representative/delegate of Greece at the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust). She met with Greek Ministers and visited the island of Lesvos.

Regarding smuggling, she mentioned: The organized crime groups behind the smuggling networks are targeted205. The European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) supports and strengthens the cooperation between the Member-States’ judicial authorities for the dismantle/suppression and persecution of networks of smuggling and trafficking.

Greece has appointed two (2) prosecutors as contact points with the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) who will support the activities at the hotspots206 and they will channel relevant information on the incidents to the National Desks at the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) for judicial monitoring/follow-up and coordination at European Union level. In 2015, there was a sharp increase in the number of incidents/cases to two hundred (200) that were transferred to/registered at the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) from the Greek National Desk207.

The European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) responds to the challenges of the current migration crisis by organizing coordination meetings, setting up coordination centres to support joint actions in real time, facilitating and accelerating the execution of Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) requests and European Arrest Warrants (EAW), as well as by detecting links with parallel investigations and advising regarding prevention of conflicts of jurisdiction. The joint investigation teams are another useful tool, and one which European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) assists financially and legally208.

Activities to monitor smuggling

Regarding the activities for monitoring smuggling, Greece has appointed two (2) prosecutors as contact points with the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) who will support the activities at the hotspots and they will channel relevant information on the incidents to the National Desks at the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) for judicial monitoring/follow-up and coordination at European Union level. In 2015, there was a sharp increase in the number of incidents/cases to two hundred (200) that were transferred to/registered at the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) from the Greek National Desk209.

204 Interview with Nikolopoulos Leonidas, Expert-Advisor A΄, C4 D/Directorate of Justice, Home Affairs and Schengen, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09 March 2016. 205 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 3378: Transfer of refugees and migrants to Mytilini (June 10, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Marine and Tourism/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/hQwy1z, accessed: December 20, 2015). 206 A Hotspot is a section of the external border of European Union or a region with extraordinary migratory pressure and mixed flows that require reinforced and concerted EU agency support to the affected Member-States. This is implemented via the Regional Task Force of the European Union (EURTF). The hotspot approach was put forth by the Commission as part of the European Agenda for Migration and was further developed during the latest Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council meetings. Its principal objective is to coordinate European assistance in areas of significant migratory pressure. See also: http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/press/PressReleases/Pages/2015/2015-12-17.aspx# 207 See: http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/press/PressReleases/Pages/2015/2015-12-17.aspx# 208 See: http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/press/PressReleases/Pages/2015/2015-12-17.aspx# 209 See: http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/press/PressReleases/Pages/2015/2015-12-17.aspx#

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Annual Policy Report 2015 Monitoring and identifying migration routes

According to the announcement of the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, on May 13, 2015, regarding the European Agenda on Migration210, the first part of the Agenda responds to/addresses the need for swift and decisive action in response to the human tragedy in the whole of the Mediterranean. With the statement of the European Council on April 23, 2015 and the Resolution of the European Parliament a few days later211, the consensus, for rapid action to save lives as well as to intensify the action of the European Union, was expressed.

More actions will be implemented for the collection and better use of the information for the identification and locating/targeting of the smugglers. In the announcement from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, on the May 13, 2015, the need to implement a clear framework for the entry into the European Union via legal routes212 (through an efficient asylum system and visas that will eliminate the factors that push towards irregular entry and stay/residence and it will contribute in the strengthening of the security of the European borders as well as of the security of the migratory flows, was also highlighted213. Readmission agreements

EU Readmission agreement (country)

National development (i.e. implementing protocol, cooperation)

Date of agreement (if applicable)

Hong Kong The elaboration of the Implementing Protocol is pending. November 27, 2002 Macau The elaboration of the Implementing Protocol is pending. October 13, 2003

Sri Lanka The elaboration of the Implementing Protocol is pending. June 4, 2004 Albania The elaboration of the Implementing Protocol is pending. April 14, 2005

Russia The Implementation Protocol was signed on 18

December 2012. Its inclusion in the Official Government Gazette (OGG) is pending.

May 25, 2006

Ukraine The elaboration of the Implementing Protocol is pending. June 18, 2007 FYROM The elaboration of the Implementing Protocol is pending. September 18, 2007

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Implementation Protocol was signed on 24 November 2015. Its inclusion in the Official Government

Gazette (OGG) is pending. September 18, 2007

Montenegro

On 09 March 2015 a proposed draft of the Implementing Protocol was sent to the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign

Affairs/Special Legal Service/Department of Law of the European Union (ENY-EE) for legislative processing.

September 18, 2007

Serbia The Implementation Protocol was signed on 11

September 2013. Its inclusion in the Official Government Gazette (OGG) is pending.

September 18, 2007

Moldova The Implementation Protocol was signed on 28 March 2014. Its inclusion in the Official Government Gazette

(OGG) is pending. October 10, 2007

Pakistan

In order to improve the followed cooperation with the Pakistani Authorities and save time, which is required for

signing the Bilateral Executive Protocol, on behalf of Greece is directly implemented the European Union-

October 26, 2009

210 See:http://ec.europa.eu/lietuva/documents/power_pointai/communication_on_the_european_agenda_on_migration_en.pdf 211 See: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2015/2660(RSP) 212 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (2016) Joint UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM Press Release: With growing numbers of child deaths at sea, UN agencies call for enhancing safety for refugees and migrants. Geneva: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Available at: http://www.antigone.gr/files/news/16pr09en.docx 213 See: http://ec.europa.eu/lietuva/documents/power_pointai/communication_on_the_european_agenda_on_migration_en.pdf

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Pakistan agreement, as applied in parallel to the followed procedure of identification-supply with travel documents which is implemented via the Foreigners Directorate of Attica, as the lead commission for that purpose existing Service of Greece, with the herein Embassy of Pakistan.

Georgia On 26 September 2014 the final form of draft of the

Implementation Protocol has been sent to the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/A5 and a response is expected.

November 22, 2010

Armenia The elaboration of the Implementing Protocol is pending. April 19, 2013 Azerbaijan The elaboration of the Implementing Protocol is pending. March 12-13, 2013

Turkey The elaboration of the Implementing Protocol is pending. December 16, 2013 Cape Verde The elaboration of the Implementing Protocol is pending. April 18, 2013

Prevention of irregular migration from third countries: (a) the southern Mediterranean countries; (b) the eastern partners; (c) the western Balkans; and (d) the western Mediterranean and the African Atlantic coast

A cooperative action for the prevention of irregular migration is the operation “Poseidon”, which in late 2015 was replaced by the operation “Rapid Response Poseidon” (Rabbits), in which six hundred eighty one (681) individuals are participating, of which two hundred twenty four (224) are Greeks and the rest are “Guest Officers”.

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Annual Policy Report 2015 8. RETURN Referring also to section I.1 and I.2 of the introduction to these specifications, outline all relevant developments in your (Member) State in relation to return. Pointers for specific issues for this section relevant to national audiences and based on previous national reports might include developments associated with: Measures to promote voluntary return Measures to improve the conditions of return Cooperation on joint return actions

Enhancing migration management including cooperation on return practices

Common problem for all Member-States is the lack of travel documents of irregular third-country nationals and the refusal to grant them by the Consular Authorities of their origin countries.

In cases where a third country national does not have the necessary travel documents, the Services of the Hellenic Police, after determining the citizenship and obtaining the identification data, are addressed to the Consular Authorities of the country of origin of the foreigner, with the intervention of the Hellenic Ministry for Foreign Affairs where it is required214.

Since the total of Embassies of third countries in Greece are based in Athens, the responsible authority-institution for conducting the group/focus interviews for the identification of the returnees third country nationals to their origin countries is the Department of Returns of the Directorate of Foreigners of Attica.

Via the Office of Coordination of Returns of the abovementioned Department, there is cooperation, on a daily basis, with the Consular Authorities of third countries in Greece in the sector of identification and authentication of the citizenship and of the data of identity (identification data) of foreign citizens, in order to issue the necessary travel documents for the return of them in their origin countries.

Except from the cooperation with these Consular Authorities, the Office of Coordination of Returns of the Directorate of Foreigners of Attica is working with the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex), which contributes decisively both to the identification process with the training and sending/dispatching teams/units of identifiers “screeners” for determining the nationality of the foreign nationals, as well as, on the sector of returns with the organization of Joint Return Operations (JROs), the use of contacts of other Member-States, etc215.

Additionally, the Office of Coordination of Returns is cooperating with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Office in Greece, which assists in the collaboration with the Consular Authorities in third countries where there is no representation/delegation in Greece, as well as in the issuing of the necessary travel documents.

In the case where the necessary travel document cannot be obtained, due to the non-representation from the Consular Authorities of these countries, the Office of Coordination of Returns collaborates with these above Organizations and comes, where this is feasible, in direct contact with Diplomatic Missions of third countries that are located abroad216.

The Office of Coordination of Returns is also cooperating with the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order that the signed Readmission Agreements with third countries are respected and applied at both Community (EU) and bilateral level.

Except from the above, in the context of development/establishment of the European network of Return Liaison Officers (EURLO) efforts are being made through this in order the activities in the sector of

214 Interview with Christos-Ioannis Tsopouridis, Directorate of Enforcement of Irregular Immigration of the Branch of Foreigners and Border Protection, Headquarters of the Hellenic Police, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 04 March 2016. 215 See: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control (2015) Answers to Question no. 1998: Problems in the management of refugees and economic migrants (December 16, 2015). Athens: Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction/Office of Parliamentary Control/Hellenic Parliament, (in Greek) (retrieved: http://goo.gl/ZUm2xr, accessed: December 20, 2015). 216 Interview with Christos-Ioannis Tsopouridis, Directorate of Enforcement of Irregular Immigration of the Branch of Foreigners and Border Protection, Headquarters of the Hellenic Police, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 04 March 2016.

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Annual Policy Report 2015 returns to be reinforced, as well as, the local network of contact points to be managed/handled in order to determine/verify-confirm the information which subsequently will be evidence about the identity of the foreign nationals of third countries.

The First Reception Service in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Office in Greece has established an accommodation centre “Open Hospitality Structure” in the Attiko Park (Alsos), of one hundred (100) places, where hosted/accommodated applicants of voluntary return217. This Centre operates since November 30, 2015, according with the Official Government Gazette (OGG) 23649, no. 1990/September 15, 2015218.

Furthermore, in every First Reception Centre (FRC), information is disseminated regarding the possibilities of voluntary return, in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Office in Greece219. Summary of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex) joint return operations During the year 2015, Greece participated in the following flights:

YEAR 2015 No. Departure date Organizing country Destination Individuals 1. 29 January 2015 ITALY NIGERIA 2 2. 04 February 2015 AUSTRIA NIGERIA 2 3. 24 June 2015 AUSTRIA NIGERIA 2 4. 15 October 2015 ITALY NIGERIA 4 5. 23 October 2015 SPAIN GEORGIA 14 6. 19 November 2015 ITALY NIGERIA 3 7. 02/03 December 2015 DENMARK PAKISTAN 31 8. 10 December 2015 AUSTRIA GEORGIA 5

TOTAL 64

The costs of the aforementioned Joint European Return Operations (JROs), with serial number from one (1) to three (3) burdened the credits/funds of financial support of the European Return Fund (RF) of Greece and the European Return Fund (RF) of the organizing countries, while those with serial number from four (4) to eight (8), burdened the credits/funds of financial support of the contracting countries, excluding the travel expenses of the attendants of the Greek mission which covered by the state budget.

The coordination of these operations has been undertaken by the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member-States of the European Union (Frontex).

Maximising the potential of a common approach of the European Union in the field of return, both voluntary and forced in compliance with existing acquis of the European Union

i) There are prohibitions of entry and are recorded at the Schengen Information System (SIS). The Greek Ombudsman (National Organization) as a constitutionally established independent

authority, was designated, by a legislative regulation in late October 2014, as the responsible authority for the organization and operation of the external control system of the procedures of return and expulsion/deportation of third country nationals, by proceeding to the review of the legality of acts, omissions and material actions of the competent Ministries, at all stages of the process provided for by the law, from the issuing of the decision of return of a foreigner until its implementation by land, sea or air transport in the country of his origin, having in parallel all the institutional tools provided for by the statutory provisions (Law

217 Current projects by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – European Return Fund (RF): “Open Centre for Migrants, registered in the programme of Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration”, see: https://greece.iom.int/node/25 218 See: http://goo.gl/4dGPIr 219 Interview with George Paramanidis, First Reception Service, Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, 08 March 2016.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 3094/2003, as in force).

In December 2015, the launch of the programme of Assisted Voluntary Return and Measures of Reintegration of Third Country Nationals in their country of origin was announced, via the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the financing of the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) (75% European Resources-25 % National Resources)220.

Since early 2015, Greece has made seventeen thousand and ninety-seven (17.097) forced and three thousand and seven hundred and seventy-one (3.771) assisted returns, three thousand and seven hundred and eighteen (3.718) via the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and fifty three (53) via the Hellenic Police221.

The purpose of the Programme is to support the voluntary return of sixteen thousand and two hundred (16.200) third country nationals in their country of origin while developing in parallel reintegration measures for four thousand and fifty (4.050). The above action will be implemented for the calendar years 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The existing Pre-departure Immigration Detention Centres for the return of irregular third country nationals in Greece are seven (7): [Amygdaleza, Tavros (24 Petrou Ralli Ave.), Corinth, Drama (Paranesti), Orestiada, Xanthi and Lesvos]. The total capacity of the above Detention Centres, with regard to detainees, amounted to six thousand one hundred twenty seven (6.127) places222. The aforementioned spaces operate in full compliance with safety and hygiene rules.

220 See also: Grizis, V., Tsinisizelis, M., Fouskas, T. Karatrantos, A. and Mine, F.-M. (2015) Dissemination of Information on Voluntary Return: How to Reach Irregular Migrants not in Contact with the Authorities. EMN Focussed Study 2015. Athens: Center for Security Studies (KEMEA) Hellenic Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction and Brussels: European Migration Network (EMN)/European Commission. Available at: http://goo.gl/bi4Eju (in English) and http://goo.gl/xjEp9Y (in Greek). 221 Information and data of the Hellenic Police for 2015. 222 See: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-migration/background-information/docs/greece_state_of_play_report_en.pdf

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 9. COUNTERING TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS Referring also to section I.1 and I.2 of the introduction to these specifications, outline developments in your (Member) State in relation to countering trafficking in human beings. Pointers for specific issues for this section relevant to national audiences and based on previous national reports might include developments associated with: Awareness raising on the issue of trafficking in human beings Coordination and cooperation amongst key actors Provision of information to victims

Actions addressing trafficking in human beings

According to the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings of the Hellenic Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, the recognition, the identification, the referral and the provision of assistance to the victim is one of the main pillars of anti-trafficking, the other pillar is the suppression of the crime, the protection of the victims, the prevention and partnership.

The recognition is the most important/crucial point and efforts to improve this are made, as the data that are presented are submultiples of the reality. To address this phenomenon, the most important tool is the National Referral Mechanism on the identification and recording/registration of the victims and the recording/listing of the institutions that can contribute to management of the phenomenon. National Referral Mechanism was designed in 2015; the necessary administrative actions have been made and it is expected to be institutionalized.

The further training sessions of the personnel of such relevant organizations are very important. A part of the work of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs – not only for 2015 but also from much earlier as is a work of many years – is the mapping of all organizations, institutions, evidence-based strategic relationship with the non-governmental organizations, various organizations and the private sector. A National Database for better recording of the victims and in order to avoid duplicate entries, it is also planned/expected to be implemented223.

Also, in 2015, the following Informative Leaflets/Informational Material/Handbooks/Manuals were published by the First Reception Service:

(a) “Age Assessment”, handbook/manual for the information of the personnel which is providing

first reception services, second edition, December 2015. (b) “Trafficking and Exploitation of Human Beings”, handbook/manual for the information of the

personnel which is providing first reception services, first edition, November 2015. (c) “Muslims, Cultural & Religious differences”, handbook/manual for the information of the

personnel which is providing first reception services, second edition, March 2015, (in Greek and in English). (d) “Vulnerable Groups”, handbook/manual for the information of the personnel which is

providing first reception services, second edition, March 2015. (e) “I.D. Flyer” of the First Reception Service, October 2015. In 2015, the Hellenic Police, investigated a total of thirty two (32) cases of human trafficking,

fifty (50) victims were saved/freed and seven hundred and ten (117) perpetrators/traffickers were arrested. It is noted that, among the victims there were minors, trafficked for sexual exploitation in the

age group of 16-18 years, and at younger ages for exploitation of beggary/begging. In the latter case, most of the times, the perpetrators were from close and/or extended family environment.

On October 24 and 25, 2015, the two-day multi-thematic Festival on human trafficking was organized, entitled: “Break the Chain”, and it was held at the Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens. It aimed at informing and awareness raising/sensitization of the public regarding issues related to trafficking

223 Interview with Moskoff Iraklis, National Rapporteur, Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 01 March 2016.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 and the exploitation of man by man.

The Festival was integrated in/came under the context of the “Break the Chain” initiative of the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens and the cultural platform “ελculture”.

The action included informative, scientific and artistic events, with the participation of institutions-partners, organizations, private companies. At the same time, artistic groups, artists, public figures and young artists participated in a “celebration” of activation against Human Exploitation224.

The First Reception Service First strongly supported the initiative of the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Municipality of Athens and the NGO Praksis for the organization of the festival.

The First Reception Service participated with a presentation of its Director in the circle of lectures entitled “Talk Forward”. The Director developed a reflection/an analysis regarding the issues of the best possible shielding/fortification of the vulnerability of possible victims of violence and exploitation.

The Director of the First Reception Service participated as a speaker in a number of conferences and forums of various institutions throughout 2015, for example, the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (MFHR), Spot Trafficking (Thessaloniki), Secretariat General of Information (round table for the Finnish Media in relation to the refugee crisis), SSN Network (Unaccompanied minors).

Also, it is worth mentioning, the fact that updates, modifications, amendments and adjustments have been applied/made in the informative leaflets that are to be distributed to third county nationals who are entering the country without legal documents and remain at the First Reception Centre (FRC) in Fylakion of Evros, at the First Reception Centre (FRC) in Moria of Lesvos, and also via the mobile units of the First Reception Service.

These particular leaflets as well as a series of posters are going to be printed after the end of competition processes which are still in progress.

Trafficking is a dynamic phenomenon, the intensity of which is a result of many factors (social, political, economic).

From the examination of the cases that are investigated, by the Hellenic Police Services, during the previous year, it is concluded that the principal form of human trafficking is the sexual exploitation. Human trafficking for labour exploitation and human trafficking for the exploitation for beggary/begging, follow with the same number of cases.

From a further analysis of the cases, it is indicated that sexual exploitation is continues to take place:

- in illegal brothels, - on the streets, as street prostitution, - in night clubs with the form of “strip shows”, - in centres/places under the pretext the provide wellness services (massage). A new form of sexual exploitation that was observed, is the transfer of the victim in rural areas,

with high numbers of seasonal foreign agricultural workers, aiming at the coercion/forcing of the victim into escorting/prostitution.

In the forms of labour exploitation and the exploitation for beggary/begging the same tendencies are observed. In human trafficking for labour exploitation, the exploitation is still oriented to agricultural work and in human trafficking for beggary/begging, the exploitation takes place in large city centres and islands, with high tourist visits during the summer.

Female victims are mainly trafficked for sexual exploitation, while male victims are mainly trafficked for labour exploitation. In the case of exploitation for beggary/begging, the victims are male, female and children. Specifically:

- The victims enter in Greece, while possessing legal travel documents. - While entering into the country, they realize that they have been deceived by their

224 See: http://www.breakthechain.gr/to-festival/

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network

Annual Policy Report 2015 traffickers/smugglers.

In particular: i. The working conditions they were promised, do not correspond to reality. Instead, they are

forced to work under inhumane and degrading conditions. ii. Promises for a better quality of life, economically and socially, are proved false, while being

forced to live in conditions of residence without any hygiene. iii. They are forced into activities, such as prostitution and beggary/begging, which they had

never considered as “everyday survival activities”, as the promises of the traffickers were different during recruitment.

In addition: - They are forced to succumb to exploitation, via the exercise of with psychological and physical

violence on them. - Female victims are mainly trafficked for sexual exploitation. - Male victims are mainly trafficked for labour exploitation, in agricultural and livestock farming

work225. Cooperation with third countries is implemented in the framework of programmes. A

cooperation with Turkey is expected to be implemented in 2016, via a twinning Parliaments programme226.

225 Information and data provided by the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 226 Interview with Moskoff Iraklis, National Rapporteur, Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 01 March 2016.

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The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction under the European Migration Network