We provide legal services and support, including free legal representation for asylum seekers so that everyone around the world, including displaced people, can have equal access to their legal rights.
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Greece
Pictured in Lesvos, Greece, in February 2022, Sohel Mia fled Bangladesh due to threats to his life. HIAS is assisting Mia with legal counsel and representation. (Ayman Oghanna for HIAS)
Office Locations
Athens, Lesvos
Founded
2016
Staff Size
20
The Eastern Mediterranean route from Turkey to Greece’s eastern borders is one of the most widely traveled refugee pathways in the world. Refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia travel to Greece via sea and land, seeking safety in Europe.
Since 2014, more than 1 million people have crossed into the country, fleeing violence and humanitarian crises in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries. With this large influx of refugees, access to basic needs is scarce and vulnerable people are not sufficiently protected. Greece hosts about 169,000 refugees and about 25,000 asylum seekers, stateless people, and other people in need of protection.
1,000
people received services in 2023
Our Work in Greece
The primary goals of HIAS’ work in Greece are twofold; the provision of high quality legal support and representation to refugees with a focus on those who are most vulnerable, such as children and survivors of torture or gender-based violence (GBV) and the provision of psychosocial support to those in need. In this way, HIAS plays a critical role helping refugees to take the first steps toward regaining control and stability in their lives.
HIAS’ community-based mental health programs promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities affected by crisis and conflict so they can heal and rebuild their lives.
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We provide legal services and support, including free legal representation for asylum seekers so that everyone around the world, including displaced people, can have equal access to their legal rights.
Learn More
Impact Story
A New Name, a New Life
Ovileya is living in Mytilene, on the Greek island of Lesvos, and she is officially, legally recognized as a woman. With the help of HIAS Greece, Ovileya recently won her case in court to have her gender changed on her identification papers.
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Statements
Feb 06, 2024
Jan 08, 2024
Jul 05, 2023
Sep 29, 2022
Research and Publications
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Joint Letter: Civil society’s concerns & recommendations for the European Rule of Law Mechanism
HIAS Greece, along with five Greek Civil Society and investigative journalism organizations (Vouliwatch, RSA Greece, the Greek Council for Refugees, the Hellenic League for Human Rights, and Reporters United), addressed a letter to the new Commissioner for Justice, Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath. The letter highlights significant weaknesses of the European Rule of Law Mechanism and outlines a series of challenges that undermine the effective resolution of systemic pathologies and the promotion of accountability. It also includes specific proposals for upgrading this tool.
Read the letter -
Forming New References for Mental Health: Perceptions of forcibly displaced people in Greece
What conceptualizations of mental health do forcibly displaced populations hold? What perspectives do mental health practitioners have on the various cultural conceptions and behaviors related to mental health? Are the various definitions of health and health-seeking behaviors sufficiently reflected in the global health movement? Learn more as HIAS Greece seeks to highlight these issues and concerns through this article.
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Greek Asylum Case Law Report Issue 1/2024
The Greek Asylum Case Law Report issue 1/2024 covers topics such as the interpretation of the “safe third country” concept, evidence assessment and refugee status determination, procedural safeguards in the asylum procedure, the workings of administrative appeals and of judicial protection of asylum seekers, as well as immigration detention.
Download Resource -
LGBTQI+ Asylum Seekers in Greece: Joint Letter to the Greek Authorities
A joint letter from HIAS Greece and a number of other organizations sent to the Greek authorities regarding the situation for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers in the country.
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Greece in Institutional Decline: Civil Society Tracks Persisting Rule of Law Backsliding
Defending and strengthening the rule of law remains a core priority for Greek civil society against the backdrop of ongoing institutional decline in the country. Independent organisations Vouliwatch, Greek Council for Refugees (GCR), Refugee Support Aegean (RSA), HIAS Greece, Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR) and Reporters United document persisting deficiencies and emerging threats to the rule of law in Greece in their contribution to the European Commission’s annual monitoring of Member States’ systems through its Rule of Law Report.
Read the report -
Tracing the Effects of Legal Status on Mental Well-Being of the Forcibly Displaced People in Greece
The policy brief discusses the prevalence of psychological distress among forcibly displaced people in Greece and its connection to the various stages of the asylum procedure.
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Press Release: Stronger and more Transparent Oversight Needed from the European Commission on Compliance with EU Asylum Standards on the Greek Islands
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Submission to EU Ombudsman on the Role of the European Commission in the Implementation of the EU Asylum Acquis on the Greek Islands
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Asylum Case Law Report
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Joint Civil Society Submission to the European Commission on the 2023 Rule of Law Report
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NGOs Letter on Instrumentalisation Regulation
HIAS Greece Registration Documents
Sep 28, 2022
Sep 28, 2022
Sep 28, 2022
Sep 28, 2022
Sep 28, 2022
HIAS’ services are free. If someone tries to charge you for services claiming they represent HIAS, please report it at our confidential email address: ethics@hias.org. HIAS has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption.
For any other inquiries please email us at info@hias.org.
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