30/05/2016 Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons
Tineke Strik (Netherlands, SOC), in the context of her report on refugees at risk in Greece, visited the new reception centres (Sindos, Oreokastro and Softex, former industrial sites) in Thessaloniki on 29 May to which refugees and migrants have been transferred from Idomeni.
“I am impressed by what the Greek authorities have done in such a short space of time to create new facilities for the people from Idomeni. However, this has been a missed opportunity to create decent facilities that meet international standards. In the places that I visited, there was no privacy, no fire safety, no light and no ventilation and people have no information on their situation or their prospects. Many of these people are hoping to be reunited with family members already in other European countries. Their psychological well-being will depend on the rapid completion of the pre-registration process and the ability to exercise their right to apply for asylum.”
Ms Strik remains in Greece as part of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which is visiting several refugee camps in Athens and on the island of Lesvos on 30-31 May 2016.