Some stories begin in pain and fear, but still leave behind a trace of hope, a fragile possibility that life can become something different.
The story of “Caleb” (name fully changed for protection purposes) is one of them.
Within the framework of the REACHing – REinforcing Assistance to viCtims of Human trafficking project, the mobile team identified him while he was held in administrative detention at a re-Removal Detention Centre (PRO.KE.KA. – Pre-Removal Detention Centre for Aliens).
He had already received a second-instance rejection of his asylum application, and the deadline for judicial appeal(application for annulment) had long expired. Through an immediate and holistic intervention, all necessary actions were mobilised and a request for the lifting of his detention was submitted by the mobile team and accepted.
But his story did not end there.
Following his release, and with continuous legal and social support from the mobile unit, a subsequent asylum application for asylum was submitted. It was supported by legal submissions, social reports, and multidisciplinary documentation drafted by the mobile team revealing indicators of cross-border human trafficking across three countries.
The subsequent application was declared admissible, recognising the new and substantial elements of the case.
Today, Caleb has been issued an asylum seeker’s card and is legally working in Santorini with the assistance of the mobile team, awaiting his substantive asylum interview. For the first time, he has the space and safety to speak about what he has endured, and to begin rebuilding his life with dignity.
As he said:
"“I spoke because for the first time I felt safe. When I met the mobile unit, it was as if invisible chains were broken. They didn’t just speak to me — they showed me what it means to breathe without fear. I am grateful, and I hope that one day, with their help, I will be recognised as a refugee and those who exploited me will be held accountable.””.
This case highlights not only the crucial importance of timely, multidisciplinary and human-centred intervention in trafficking cases, but also the essential role of the REACHing project in restoring access to protection, voice, and justice for survivors of human trafficking.
The REACHing project is co-funded by the European Union under AMIF-2024-TF2-AG-THB (Grant Agreement No. 101199093) and implemented with the participation of Forum réfugiés, International Rescue Committee Italy, CESIE ETS and theGreek Council for Refugees)
