ANNUAL SPECIAL REPORT 2016
15
selves. The cells in question do not have a yard area and therefore it is
deemed unsuitable for the administrative detention of third-country
nationals awaiting return, as it does not meet the provisions of Article
31, Law 3907/2011. The guarding of the cells by the outer gate police
guards was deemed unsafe for the security of both the building and
the detainees and the NPM recommended the assignment of a separate
guard for the holding cells.
ρρ
On the same date, the NPM carried out a no–notice on–site inspection
of the Amaroussion (Attica) Police Station, in order to determine the
conditions and procedures of administrative detention of third–country
nationals and the treatment of any minors. On the day of the on–site
inspection no administrative detainees were found. The existing cell has
room for only a small number of persons, does not allow for the separation of administrative detainees and criminal prisoners and lacks any
possibility of outdoor access, and therefore was deemed unsuitable for
detention for longer than a few hours.
ρρ
Upon visiting the Lesvos Police Station cells the conditions were deemed
bad. The detention area consists of 4 cells, parallel to each other, which
open onto a narrow corridor that possesses the facility’s only windows,
with the result that there is very little natural light. Adjacent to the entrance are the toilets and showers, which were particularly dirty. The
prisoners move between their cells and the common corridor. The cells
are narrow and without beds. There are mattresses on the floor but no
sheets. The NPM recommends:
ϭϭ Taking measures regarding the cleaning of the premises and
particularly of the showers and toilets.
ϭϭ Ensuring the prisoners are granted yard time in an outdoor
space.
ϭϭ Providing prisoners with sheets.
Administrative detention of third–country nationals
The administrative detention of third-country nationals is an issue of special
concern to the NPM, particularly regarding the legality and the conditions of
detention and especially in the present circumstances, which necessitate the
management of a large number of refugees and migrant flows. The Greek
Ombudsman’s overall picture for 2016 regarding the State’s management
of the issue is documented in its special and annual reports:
ρρ
“Returns of third-country nationals” Special Report 2016 https://www.
synigoros.gr/resources/eidikiekthesiepistrofesallodapwn2016gr--2.pdf.
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