ASGI organized in March a brief inspection to Greece by a group of legal experts. Following this first trip, a network was set up between legal professionals in Italy and in Greece and has been published (in Italian and English) a first document with information concerning the status of asylum seekers in Greece, with a factual description and a brief juridical comment.
Meanwhile, ASGI has structured its network with Greek, Italian and European legal experts with a number of operators who continue to carry out inspections in Greece.
In addition, there were in-depth analysis about legal issues relating to the legitimacy of the EU-Turkey deal of 18th March 2016, and the consequences that will gradually invest the basis of the right of asylum in Europe.
At the same time, it was promoted a specific workshop with UNHCR (with the presence of the Greek representative) to clarify certain aspects of the Greek legislation and the effective role played by this Agency.
A document was written containing the main legal questions and it has been sent to some legal professionals who continue to go to Greece and to have contacts with Greek lawyers.
Moreover, ASGI has been heard in the hearing by the Special Commission for Human Rights of the Senate of the Italian Republic.
The inspection of the 15/19 June 2016 organized by ASGI with the support of MSF wants to examine in depth the following aspects:
1) the exact content of the new Greek legislation on the fast-track procedures for the assessment of the eligibility of asylum applications for asylum seekers passing through Turkey, the application practices of that legislation, the role played by UNHCR and the interaction with Turkey considered a “safe third country” and/or a “country of first asylum” (according to the references provided by articles. 33, 35, 38 of the Qualification Directive of European Union);
2) The analysis of the new EU-Turkey deal on the repatriation of “economic migrants”: agreement of 2014 with the initial estimate of entry into force in October 2017 and whose operation has been moved up to 1 June 2016. Legal analysis and observation of the implementing practices, particularly with regard to interactions with the “Hotspot system” and therefore to the real possibility for foreign citizens to apply for international protection, with the exclusion of the implementation of the same agreement (reserved only for “economic migrants”) and the effective role of UNHCR and the respect of the prohibition of collective expulsions (as established by the European Court of Human Rights);
3) It is also essential to strengthen the network with Greek and European legal professionals.