Scathing Council of Europe report on human rights in Greece

Duna Miyatovic, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, notes that the austerity and reforms that have been made have negatively affected in particular the rights to health and education.

In addition, as far as the immigration is concerned, she pointed out that with the closure of the border, Greece was transformed into a destination country rather than a transit country.

More specifically, with regard to the impact of austerity on Greece, the Commissioner notes in her report that since 2010, Greece has concluded 3 economic adjustment programs with the European Commission, the ECB and the IMF and has approved about 15 packages of austerity measures containing a wide range of drastic measures, in particular public sector reforms, pensions, taxes and the labor market, which have adversely affected human rights, in particular rights to health and education.

"Staff shortages and equipment and the crisis in the Greek health care system coupled with wage cuts and pensions have hampered access to health care," she said. She also calls on authorities to step up their efforts to recruit medical staff, remove obstacles to universal medical coverage and support mental health and inclusion of people with disabilities.

In education, budget cuts have led to a significant deterioration in student welfare, educational programs, teachers' working conditions and school equipment. Authorities should remove all barriers to effective access to education, including through targeted policies to include vulnerable children, children with disabilities and Roma children, she added.

Measures are needed for immigrants

Greece urgently needs to take measures and adopt long-term policies to improve the reception and integration of migrants and to reverse the adverse effects of austerity measures on access to healthcare and education, Miyatovic stresses.

The Commissioner notes the commendable efforts of the Greek people and the authorities of Greece to welcome immigrants, but notes that reception conditions remain below acceptable standards, especially in the islands. She refers to poor hygiene conditions, mental suffering and uncertainty that threaten the health of migrants and asylum seekers on the islands, and notes that authorities should speed up transfers to the mainland.

She also expresses her deep concern for the inadequate housing conditions and the lack of social support faced by most unaccompanied immigrant children in Greece, as well as the deprivation of the freedom of prisoners under a "protective custody" regime. "The Greek authorities must tackle this problem with greater determination and, in particular, to immediately stop the detention of unaccompanied migrant children. Immigrant children must also have access to education to increase their chances of integrating, "she says.

The report notes, however, that the Greek government has decided to create three new reception centers in the mainland that provide housing in apartments and hotels, which will further reduce the pressure on existing structures. Thus, 20,441 people will be housed in the above structures under the ESTIA program (18 September 2018).

It is also stressed that European partners in Greece must demonstrate their solidarity by supporting Greece in its efforts to improve reception conditions.

It should be noted that as a result of the closure of the land borders, Greece is de facto a destination country and is no longer merely a transit country. Therefore, the need for a comprehensive and long-term policy focusing on family reunification, long-term residence and citizenship, vocational training, language learning, integration and combating racism and discrimination against immigrants.