The European refugee crisis and its human rights impact on forced migrants in Greece

Abstract

The number of forcibly displaced people in the world is at an unprecedented 82.4 million. Thousands of forced migrants from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, three protracted war-torn countries, are stuck in various detention centres and refugee camps in Greece due to the EU–Turkey refugee agreement and other States’ policies. As Greece tries to respond to the overwhelming number of refugees in a manner that upholds their human rights, the detention camps are characterized by overcrowding, inadequate living conditions, mental health issues, and violence. This chapter examines how Greece is addressing the mass inflow of refugees, asylum seekers, and other forced migrants escaping severe armed conflict, violence, and persecution. In-depth interviews with various local and international NGOs, government personnel, and international organizations provide insights into the programmes, processes, and assistance for the war-traumatized refugees, as well as the challenges faced by various communities and organizations. The research examines how Greece is responding to the influx of refugees and the programmes and services that are available to help refugee integration and how they are meeting their obligations to various EU and international laws regarding asylum. Recommendations for how Greece, Europe, and the global community can work together to address the extraordinary number of refugees and to help them build a better future are explored from the perspective of the participants and other research.