News from the field
May 2025
Pylos shipwreck: Criminal charges brought against 17 members of the Coast Guard, including senior officers
The Piraeus Naval Court Prosecutor's Office has brought criminal charges against 17 members of the Coast Guard, including the then Chief of the Coast Guard, the Supervisor of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and the two officers, as well as the captain and crew of the Coast Guard vessel involved in the Pylos shipwreck.
The lawyers representing the survivors of the shipwreck, including lawyers from the Greek Council for Refugees, expressed their satisfaction with the decision to bring criminal charges and order a preliminary investigation into criminal offences, including causing the shipwreck and endangering lives, resulting in the death of hundreds of people, which also involves senior officials of the Coast Guard.
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights: ‘Greece must prevent pushbacks and ensure accountability for human rights violations at the border’Η Ελλάδα πρέπει να αποτρέψει τις επαναπροωθήσεις και να διασφαλίσει τη λογοδοσία για τις παραβιάσεις των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων στα σύνορα"
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern about ongoing reports of pushbacks at land and sea borders and the lack of effective investigation of border violations in a recent memorandum, following his visit to Greece in February 2025. In addition, the Memorandum includes extensive reference to investigations into the Pylos shipwreck and the importance of ensuring an enabling environment for civil society organisations, journalists and human rights defenders who support asylum seekers and migrants.
The European Court of Human Rights has granted interim measures for 45 unaccompanied minors remaining at the Closed Controlled Access Center (CCAC) of Samos.
Interim measures for 45 unaccompanied minors who had been held for a prolonged period (average detention time 142 days) in a de facto detention regime and in totally inadequate conditions at the CCAC of Samos was granted by the European Court of Human Rights on 19 May 2025 (1, 2)
The Interim Measures granted follows a series of similar decisions by the European Court of Human Rights and Greek courts, all of which have been issued recently and order the removal of minors from the Closed Controlled Access Centers on the islands and the Reception and Identification Centre in Malakasa (Athens Region) and the provision of appropriate reception conditions for them. This body of decisions highlights the extremely problematic situation faced by unaccompanied minors at points of entry and in the mainland of the country.
Communication under Rule 9.2 of the Greek Council for Refugees to the Committee of Ministers on the execution of the M.S.S. group of cases against Greece
A Communication under Rule 9.2 was submitted by the Greek Council of Refufees to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, in the context of the supervision of the execution of the MSS judgment against Greece and the related group of cases. The Communication includes detailed information on the asylum system in Greece, reception facilities and reception conditions, the protection of unaccompanied minors and the detention of third-country nationals.
EU Funds and Fundamental Rights Violations in Greece – New Report by the GCR
A report by the Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) shows how European funding intersects with fundamental rights violations in Greece. Despite the strengthened EU regulatory framework, which requires European funds to be used with full respect for rights as enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, significant challenges remain in effectively implementing this framework in practice, it is highlighted, among other things. it is highlighted decisions, among others.
