interim measures granted for 46 unaccompanied children

The European Court of Human Rights has accepted 2 requests for interim measures submitted by HRLP on behalf of 46 out of the 157 unaccompanied children (UAC)s currently residing in the Samos CCAC's Safe Zone.

Over the past month, amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Samos CCAC’s Safe Zone where unaccompanied children (UACs) reside, HRLP has filed two separate requests for interim measures to the ECHR, on behalf of 1 and 45 applicants, respectively, who have been unlawfully detained in the camp for an average of 142 days.

In both applications, submitted on the 9th and 16th of May, HRLP has stressed that the conditions of the unaccompanied children's prolonged detention debase them as individuals and are wholly incompatible with their human dignity.

Specifically, HRLP emphasized that the living conditions at the CCAC's Safe Zone deprive the UACs of all means to prevent irreparable harm to their health, safety and dignity, considering the:

• Deplorable hygiene conditions & lack of cleaning products.

• Lack of appropriate clothing, bedding & sleeping accommodation.

• Lack of medical care amidst a skin infection & rabies epidemic.

• Lack of mental health care & psychological support.

• Gross negligence of the competent authorities, failing to provide adequate support to the 180+ children residing in the Safe Zone

On the 12th and 20th of May, respectively, the ECtHR accepted HRLP’s requests, instructing the Greek government to take urgent measures to ensure the protection and safety of all applicants.

Specifically, the Court indicated to the Greek authorities to:

(i) Provide the applicants with adequate food and water, new and clean clothing & linen, cleaning and hygiene products.

(ii) To provide them with appropriate medical and psychological care.

(iii) To ensure their speedy relocation to a safe & appropriate accommodation facility.

ECtHR's decisions:

Notwithstanding that this is an important step towards ensuring the protection of the unaccompanied children residing at the notorious Zervou camp, HRLP stresses the severity of the situation, as highlighted by the present cases.

It is utterly exasperating that the ECtHR has to intervene for the Greek government to do the bare minimum, to ensure the health and safety of the Samos CCAC’s residents and provide them mere necessities -namely, clean clothes and bed sheets.