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and specifically metal handcuffs or, alternatively, velcro handcuffs. In particular, these
coercion measures, in transfers from the detention centre to the airport or to another
carrier (ship or bus), are constantly used without particular assessments on the actual
risk.
With reference to the involvement of specialized figures such as psychologists or social
workers, who may support the escort during the transfer operations, the monitoring
team of The Greek Ombudsman informs us that the presence of these subjects is not
envisaged except at the starting point of return operations of the Athens Airport (Aliens
Division of Attica – Pre-removal centre). Medical personnel are generally present and
are mainly involved in air operations. The Greek Ombudsman stressed the need to verify
that all returnees involved in return operations, including those by sea and by land, are
fit to travel.
The mandate of the monitor ends at the time of handover of the returnees. The Greek
monitors observe and monitor the handover of the returnees to the local authorities in
a given airport, a port or a land border station where the landing takes place.
The Greek Ombudsman gives precedence to the monitoring of joint national or
international operations with destinations in Pakistan, Georgia and Armenia, as well as
the transfer operations by sea that leave from the Island of Lesbos to Turkey. Although
there are numerous overland departures for Albania, these are mostly no longer
monitored as there have been no particular operational criticalities for some time. The
Ombudsman believes that operations by air and by sea may present greater challenges
from the point of view of respecting the procedures to protect the human rights of
returnees, especially when the recipients are citizens of countries in Asia or Africa who
present a particularly vulnerable psychological profile.
Generally the monitoring operations are carried out by 1 or 2 monitors, based on the
number of people to be transferred. Often 1 or 2 figures of the monitoring team are
employed in parallel in the verification of the repatriation files and the correct
application of administrative procedures.
The report of each operation, completed and signed by the monitor on duty, is
immediately submitted to the Ombudsman, to the Deputy Ombudsman for Human
Rights, and is immediately made available to the members of the monitoring team. On a
quarterly basis, the Ombudsman addresses its main conclusions, observations and
suggestions to the relevant Ministers and the Chief of Police and asks for the necessary
measures to be taken. Each year, the Ombudsman’s report is presented to Parliament,
the Ombudsman is also invited to present its conclusions to the relevant Parliamentary
Commission. The annual report is published on the Ombudsman’s website and
presented at an annual conference. The report is then discussed with the police, NGOs,
international organizations and all other key actors involved. The Administration and
the Police take note of the Ombudsman’s requests and have, occasionally, taken the
required measures (for example by providing water and a first aid kit to the returnees
in all land operations; removing all restrictions on boarding the ships, etc.). Not all
shortcomings and non-compliant practices highlighted by the Defender have been fully
addressed.
The existence/availability of complaint forms is not systematically communicated to the
returnees by the person in charge of the escort. Returnees only learn about it if they ask
to file a complaint.
Regarding the possibility or existence of collaborations with NGOs or other human
rights organizations, The Greek Ombudsman stressed that all functions pertaining to the
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