ECRE and the AIRE Centre released this week a report on procedural challenges and recommendations for effective and sustainable support to the Greek asylum system. The report, which follows a field visit to the country between 28 May and 6 June, emphasises the need for international organisations to be mindful of the long present efforts of Greek lawyers and NGOs in the field, and recommends that new initiatives should be targeted and sustainable.

Persisting challenges impede access to asylum in Greece due to complexity and layers of procedure. The organisations fear that if the procedure is not streamlined, the registration simplified and the capacity of the Asylum Service expanded, effective access to asylum will continue to be obstructed. The lack of legal routes for people to move beyond Greece, a point previously raised by ECRE, is also highlighted as an area where stronger legal support and advocacy is needed in other European countries.

The report also highlights challenges in the identification of vulnerable groups such as victims of torture and victims of trafficking.

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This article appeared in the ECRE Weekly Bulletin of 15 July 2016. You can subscribe to the Weekly Bulletin here.