Greece

Since STELP was founded, we have been particularly committed to supporting refugees, especially in Greece, where we have been active for years. The living conditions for refugees there are catastrophic. On the Greek islands, thousands of people flee from Turkey to the EU by boat every year; however, many are now taken to the mainland by the Greek authorities.

Many refugees have no access to legal advice or are not informed about their rights. The camps, which increasingly resemble prisons, are secured with barbed wire and are often far away from urban centers. There is a lack of basic resources such as medical care, food, hygiene materials and sleeping bags. In addition, violence against people seeking protection at Europe’s external borders continues to increase. Illegal pushbacks by the Greek coastguard are repeatedly documented by NGOs.