Amnesty International recently released a report detailing severe human rights abuses at a refugee centre on Samos, a Greek island near Turkey. The centre, intended to be a flagship project of the European Commission under the Pact on Migration and Asylum, has been found lacking in many respects.
Amnesty International has long monitored conditions in the Aegean islands. The promise of new centres following the destruction of Moria camp spurred their interest in assessing the actual improvements. In early 2021, issues began to emerge at the Samos centre, with some asylum seekers being unlawfully detained. This situation prompted Amnesty to keep a close watch and eventually led to a formal investigation in December 2023.
The investigation revealed that the centre, which replaced a tent-based camp, is a large, isolated facility 6.5 km from the main city. It is surrounded by double fencing with barbed wire and constant surveillance, giving it a prison-like appearance. The people housed there are asylum seekers, not detainees awaiting deportation. At the time of the visit, the centre’s population included Syrians, Palestinians, Sudanese, Somalis, and Sierra Leoneans, though this composition changes frequently.
Amnesty International described the centre as a “dystopian nightmare.” Despite its modern exterior, it fails to meet basic humanitarian standards. The European Ombudsman and the Committee for the Prevention of Torture have also criticized the excessive use of barbed wire and the overall detention-like environment. The centre lacks consistent access to running water and has no permanent medical staff. Since 2021, there has been no doctor on site, with only sporadic visits from army doctors or volunteers.
The European Commission has a permanent presence in the centre through its migration management taskforce but has been slow to address these issues. In January 2023, the Commission began infringement proceedings against a Greek law that allows for de facto detention, but the outcome remains uncertain.
Amnesty International’s report highlights how the practices at the Samos centre reflect broader trends in European migration policy. The reliance on detention-like measures could become a standard under the EU migration pact, raising concerns about the abuse of residence requirements during registration procedures.
Refugees at the Samos centre face significant restrictions. Upon arrival, they cannot leave for five days, with possible extensions up to 25 days. Even after receiving their asylum cards, their movements are restricted, and they must use a paid shuttle bus to visit the town. This isolation prevents integration with local communities and keeps refugees out of public view.
Legal challenges to the conditions at the Samos centre are ongoing, with the European Court of Human Rights granting interim measures in some cases due to the poor conditions. Amnesty International demands that the European Commission increase its scrutiny and enforce accountability measures. They urge Greece to repeal the detention law and implement plans to ensure continuous medical services and adequate water supply.
Furthermore, the centre is deemed unfit for children, as keeping them in such conditions violates international standards. Amnesty International calls for immediate action to address these violations and prevent similar situations in other EU centres.