The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights has published a report "Coping with a fundamental rights emergency - the situation of persons crossing the Greek land border in an irregular manner". Please click here to view.
The report reveals systemic issues regarding the conditions of detention centres, including overcrowding, dirt, lack of ventilation, lack of space and no frequent access to toilets. The Director outlined the report's main finding as follows: "the human rights situation of migrant and asylum-seekers in Greece is extremely worrying. Improving the reception facilities is very urgent. The Greek authorities are benefiting from European solidarity through a package of financial and practical assistance and I urge them to put all necessary measures in place to assist the people in need".
This report comes shortly after the ECtHR finding that returning an asylum-seeker to Greece constitutes a violation of Article 3 ECHR (prohibition on inhuman and degrading treatment), see M.S.S. v Belgium and Greece.
FRA has also launched the "first comprehensive guide to European non-discrimination law", published by FRA and the European Court of Human Rights. It covers both EU and ECtHR case law and is aimed at legal practitioners, national human rights institutions, equality bodies and legal advice centres. Please click here to view.
Finally FRA has issued a report "Access to Justice in Europe: an overview of challenges and opportunities", providing a comparative analysis of access to justice across EU member states. Delays in legal proceedings and high legal costs feature as obstacles to enforcement of rights. The report notes that in most member states, law centres, non-governmental organisations and pro bono schemes exist along side state legal aid provision. The Irish Traveller Movement Law Centre features as an example of a specialist law centre which provides access to justice to a disadvantaged community. Please click here to view the report.