****last update: 05/May/2011
In January 2011 the European Court of Human Rights decided in an individual case that Greece was violating the human rights of a refugee by detaining him under inhuman conditions and leaving him homeless. It also judged that Belgium violated human rights by deporting him to Greece (see: <http://w2eu.net/2011/01/22/front-kick-dublin-2/)
This means:
• Hundreds of “Greek” cases waiting for a decision before the ECHR are expected to be judged in the same way.
• All the countries having already decided to suspend deportations to Greece because of the decisions pending before the ECHR will have to decide if they will soon themselves examine the asylum cases of the people threatened by deportation to Greece.
• European countries which have not yet stopped deportations to Greece will have to decide about it soon.
• This decision will indiscriminately concern persons who have been fingerprinted and holders of pink cards in Greece.
This decision was brought about by the struggles of migrants and their supporters: many refugees have been resisting and, after having been deported, started their journey all over again. The violation of their rights in Greece has been publicized for a long time. Many refugees appealed against their deportation with the help of lawyers and NGOs.
If you are travelling right now, check this information carefully! Generally speaking: the judgement of the ECHR may be considered radical, so we expect that asylum seekers who are leaving Greece can safely apply for asylum anywhere without being threatened with deportation. The only point to find out is whether the country of your choice intends to process asylum applications without delay. The situation is changing all the time. We will try to keep the information up-to-date on: http://w2eu.info/dublin2.en.html
Overview of European countries having already stopped deportation:
Belgium: Will handle all asylum applications concerning “Greek Dublin-cases” with priority. After the ECHR’s decision, the Belgian minister renewed the terms of the “Suspension and Priority Treatment” he announced in October.
Denmark: The Minister of Integration of Denmark just now decided to open the 340 cases of asylum seekers having been fingerprinted in Greece. Denmark stopped deportations to Greece and examines Greek cases in Denmark.
Germany: Stopped deportations to Greece and will examine all cases (pending and new ones). In January 2012 they will decide once again if the deportation-stop will go on.
Finland: Apparently stopped deportations to Greece right away.
France: Stopped deportations to Greece until further order and examines the cases.
Island: Stopped deporting to Greece.
Netherlands: Early October 2010 the Dutch minister of justice announced that the Netherlands will definitely not send asylum seekers back to Greece.
Norway: In October 2010 the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) stopped deportations to Greece until further notice.
Sweden: Early December 2010 a ruling of the Migration Court of Appeal (MCA) stopped all deportations of asylum-seekers from Sweden to Greece.
Switzerland: Swiss halt asylum returns to Greece. The Federal Migration Office is to suspend the return of asylum seekers to Greece, examining cases in Switzerland instead.
UK: At the end of September 2010 the UK Border Agency suspended returns of asylum seekers to Greece under the Dublin II Regulation. All “Greek” cases will be handled in the UK.
Asylum chances:
Many people now try to figure out where they have the best chance to get a positive result from their asylum applications. This is very difficult to answer because it depends a lot on each separate case and on whether or not authorities believe that you are telling the truth. At http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat you can find some statistics that might help you (search: Asylum) – but don’t take them too literally. The procedures are changing quickly. On the next pages you will find a list of contacts in some European countries. If you don’t find a contact in the country you are looking for or if the contacts are far from the city where you will go check out the list of contacts on w2eu.info. It’s more detailed: http://w2eu.info/en/articles/contacts
Family reunion:
Especially families might find themselves in a situation where one person went first to a specific country, and other family-members are stranded elsewhere. In that case, you have the possibility to ask for family reunion. If a country accepted your application for asylum and is reviewing your case, you may try to get close family-members to join you. Such procedures take a lot of time and are quite complicated. Therefore, look for an experienced lawyer who specialises in such cases. You will need support in Greece (for example contact GCR, Athens…) and also in the country where you want to get united.
Have a safe journey!
Contacts:
Austria
Austria has not stopped deportations to Greece yet. If you are in Austria, contact a lawyer before applying for asylum. If you are threatened by deportation to Greece, you have to make an Appeal to the European Court of Human Rights IMMEDIATELY to have a chance to stop the deportation!
Vienna:
Asyl in Not
Währingerstraße 59/2
1090 Wien
Tel.: 0043-(0)1 408 42 10
www.asyl-in-not.org
Diakonie:
Steinergasse 3, 1170
Tel.: 0043-(0)1 / 402 67 54
Traiskirchen:
Diakonie
in Traiskirchen next to the train station
Opening hours: every Tuesday and Thursday: 9 – 16 h
(registration: 9 - 14h)
Josef-Ferschner-Str. 20/II
2514 Traiskirchen
Tel.: 0043-(0)2252 / 547 26
Linz:
Volkshilfe Oberösterreich
Stockhofstraße 40, 4020 Linz
Tel: 0043-(0)732/603099
Belgium:
Comité Belge d’Aide aux Réfugiés/
Belgisch Comité voor Hulp aan Vluchtelingen
Rue Defacqzstraat 1 b 10
1000 Bruxelles
Tel 0032-(0)2/537.82.20
Fax 0032-(0)2/537.89.82
www.cbar-bchv.be
Denmark:
Danish Refugee Council
Borgergade 10
1300 København K
Tel: 0045 (0)33 73 50 00
Wednesday 1 – 3 p.m.
Advokat Marianne Vølund
Wesselsgade 17
2200 København N
Tel: (0045)33 14 84 81
Mobile: (0045)27 14 92 97
Fax: (0045)33 15 81 80
Mail: mv(at)advo-mv.dk
France:
Forum refugies
Maison du réfugié
326 rue Garibaldi
69007 Lyon
Tel: 0033 (0)4.72.77.68.02
Cimade (nationale)
64 rue Clisson
75013 Paris
Tel 0033 (0)1 44 18 60 50
http://www.cimade.org/
Cimade Paris et Ile-de-France
46 Boulevard des Batignolles
75017 PARIS (métro Rome ligne 2)
Tel 0033 (0)1 40 08 05 34
Fax 0033 (0)1 40 08 05 27
Collectif de soutien des exilés du 10ème
c/o MRAP 43 bd Magenta 75010 Paris
0033 (0)1 53 38 99 99
exiles10(at)rezo.net
http://www.exiles10.org/
France Terre D’Asile
4 rue Doudeaucille 75018 Paris
0033 (0)1 53 26 23 80
http://www.france-terre-asile.org/
GISTI
3 villa marcès 75011 Paris
http://www.gisti.org/
gisti(at)gisti.org
0033 (0)1 43 14 84 8
Germany:
Berlin:
Flüchtlingsrat Berlin
Georgenkirchstr 69-70
10249 Berlin-Friedrichshain
Tel. ++49-30-24344-5762
Fax ++49-30-24344-5763
buero(at)fluechtlingsrat-berlin.de
www.fluechtlingsrat-berlin.de
Frankfurt:
PRO ASYL
Tel.: 0049 (0)69-23 06 88
Fax: 0049 (0)69-23 06 50
Email: dmo (at) proasyl.de
Web: www.proasyl.de
Hanau:
Refugee café
0049-(0)6181-184369
ag3f (at) comlink.org
Hamburg:
Flüchtlingsrat Hamburg
www.fluechtlingsrat-hamburg.de
Tel. 0049(0)40-4315987
Café Exil
Spaldingstr. 41
Tel.: 0049(0)40-2368216
Mo, Tue, Thurs, Fri 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
München:
Bayerischer Flüchtlingsrat
Augsburgerstr.13
Tel: 0049 - (0)89 76 22 34
Hungary:
Social assistance
Menedek Association (Menedék Egyesület)
Budapest (central office)
Address: 1090 Budapest, Erkel utca 13/A, foldszint 5.
Tel: 06 1 411 1710, 06 1 411 1711, 06 20 430 9919 • Fax: 06 1 411 1711
Website: www.menedek.hu • E-mail: menedek(at)menedek.hu
Debrecen refugee camp
Eva Adoba, Anna Kerek, social workers
Location: B/5 “Integration House”, at the entrance of the camp
Tel: 06 52 428 537, 06 70 331 9568
Legal advice
Hungarian Helsinki Committee (Magyar Helsinki Bizottság)
Budapest (central office)
Address: 1054 Budapest, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 36–38.
Tel/fax: 06 1 321 4323, 06 1 321 4141
Website: www.helsinki.hu • E-mail: helsinki(at)helsinki.hu
Languages: Hungarian, English, French, Spanish, Italian. Call first for an appointment!
Italy:
Venezia:
Razzismo Stop Venezia
Via Fratelli bandiera 45,
30175 Marghera (Ve)
E-mail: razzismostop_ve (at) globalproject.info
Netherlands:
Dutch Council for Refugees
Surinameplein 122
Postbus 2894, 1000 CW Amsterdam
T +31 (020) 346 7266
F +31 (020) 617 81 55
asielprocedure(at)vluchtelingenwerk.nl
www.vluchtelingenwerk.nl
Norway:
Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS)
Pb. 8893 Youngstorget
0028 Oslo, Norway
Tel: 0047 22 36 56 60,
Fax: 0047 22 36 56 61,
e-mail: noas(at)noas.org
www.noas.org
Sweden:
Gothenburg (Göteborg)
E-mail: goteborg(at)ingenillegal.org or momo(at)ingenillegal.org
Tel: 0046 (0)704-37 75 24
http://www.ingenillegal.org/
Stockholm
E-mail: stockholm(at)ingenillegal.org
Tel: 0046 (0)762 - 44 33 12
http://www.ingenillegal.org/
Uppsala
E-mail: uppsala(at)ingenillegal.org
Tel: 0046 (0)73 - 95 96 150
http://www.ingenillegal.org/
Malmö
E-mail: asylgruppenimalmo(at)gmail.com
Tel: 0046 (0)736 59 05 73
http://asylgruppenimalmo.org/
Lund
E-mail: asylgruppenlund@gmail.com
Tel: 0046 (0)765635707
http://asylgruppenlund.webs.com/
The Swedish Network of Asylum and Refugee Support Groups (FARR)
Has local groups in several towns.
Phone: 0046 (0)225-147 77
E-mail: info(at)farr.se
www.farr.se
Switzerland:
Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe
Weyermannsstrasse 10
3008 Bern
Tel.: 0041 (0)31 370 75 75
mail to: info@fluechtlingshilfe.ch
www.fluechtlingshilfe.ch
Solidarité sans frontières
Neuengasse 8
3011 Bern
Tel. 0041-(0)31 311 07 70
Fax: 0041-(0)31 311 07 75
Mail: sekretariat(at)sosf.ch
UK:
London -
Hackney Migrants Centre: Spensley Walk (near Clissold Park, off Stoke Newington Church Street),Hackney N16 9ES.Tel. 07504 332 706. Open Wednesdays 12.30-3.30pm.
Refugee Action
240A Clapham Road
London SW9 OPZ
Tel: 0044 (0) 20 7735 5361
Fax: 0044 (0) 20 7587 3676
Web: www.refugee-action.org.uk
Refugee Council
240-260 Ferndale Road
London SW9 8BB
Tel: 0044 (0) 20 7346 6709
Fax: 0044 (0) 20 7346 6760
Email: info(at)refugeecouncil.org.uk
Web: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
Manchester -
Manchester Refugee Support Network
121 Princess Road
Moss Side
Manchester M14 4RB
Tel: 0161 232 7420
Liverpool -
Refugee Action
64 Mount Pleasant
Liverpool L3 5SD
Tel: 0151 702 6300
Glasgow -
Glasgow Unity Centre:
Open Monday-Friday 10am-5.30 pm, 30 Ibrox St, Glasgow, G51 1AQ.
Their emergency number is: 0141 427 7992
Bristol -
Refugee Action
9 Hide Market
St. Philips
Bristol BS2 0BH
Tel: 0117 941 5960
Oxford -
Asylum Welcome
276a Cowley Road (Behind St Mary and John’s Church) Oxford, OX4 1UR.
Tel: 01865 722 082
Contacts in Greece
ATHENS:
Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) is a Greek Non Governmental Organization found to support refugees and asylum seekers in Greece. GCR offers legal advice, psychological services and can help to get access to hostels (only for people who have applied for asylum in Greece).
Opening hours: every morning.
Solomou 25, Exarheia, (0030)210-3814710
Ecumenical Refugee Program provides assistance to refugees and asylum seekers.
Iridanou 4A, Ilissia
Tel: (0030)-210-72.95.926
Mondays 12-16, Tuesdays-Thursdays-Fridays 9-13:30
Network of Social Support to Immigrants and Refugees: provides information on legal/ social needs (every afternoon from 5-9), free lessons of Greek language and computer. For people who have or don’t have papers.
Tsamadou 13, Exarheia, Tel. 210-3813928
Group of lawyers for the rights of migrants and refugees: legal counseling to migrants and refugees in all matters relating to their legal status. Every Monday and Wednesday from 5-7. For people who have or don’t have papers. Spiridonos Trikoupi 21, Exarheia - Email: omadadikigorwn (at) lists.riseup.net
http://omadadikigorwnenglish.blogspot.com/
UNHCR
23 Taigetou Str.
154 52 Palaio Psychico
Tel.: (0030)210-67 26 462/3
Fax: (0030)210-67 56 800
Caritas Hellas
Kapodistriou 52, Athens
Vathis Square
Tel: (0030) 210-52.47.879
E-mail: caritashellas (at) caritas.gr
http://www.caritas.gr
Greek Red Cross
Sector of Social Care
Lykavittou 1, Athens
Tel: (0030) 210-36.39.538
Email: swd (at) redcross.gr
The information on this flyer may have changed. Although we try to update it regularly, you should contact the local NGOs, lawyers or support-groups listed to be sure about what to expect. If on your journey you notice any changes that might be important for others, please inform us: contact@w2eu.info
Welcome to Europe is an antiracist network from Europe. We welcome all travellers on their difficult way to Europe. We provide information that can be useful on the journey to and through Europe, and want to give access to counseling and useful contacts in different european countries as well as a basic overview over the current laws and regulations concerning refugees and migrants.
Many inhuman forces are at work at the outer borders of Europe. Refusal of entry, imprisonment and deportation. Nevertheless and every day, people challenge the borders and the European anti-migration systems. Welcome To Europe wants to support all those on their way, seeking refuge or simply a better life.
This leaflet provides first contact information for people travelling via Greece to Europe. More information can be found at our webguide at :
http://w2eu.info.
„I can see clearly now what Europe looks like, that it sends its armies to fight us at the sea and puts us in awful prisons. Together we have to start a second journey to another safe place that might exist in the future.“ (Eritrean woman, arriving on the island of Lesvos)
We want to wish all those on their way a good and safe journey.
Because freedom of movement is everybody‘s right!