Where can I report rights abuses by the state?
Greek Ombudsman: You can report any human rights violations by Greek authorities here in this independent institution. Greek authorities include staff of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum (for example in the camps) or the Asylum Service whose staff interview you, decide your claim for asylum or generally work in the asylum offices. They also include public services such as the tax office, municipality offices, civil registry or public hospitals etc. Your complaint will be documented and followed-up. It is important to note that the Ombudsman will not intervene unless you have first tried to resolve the issue directly with the authorities first. You can file a complaint in person here: Address: Chalkokondyli 17, Athens. On Monday — Friday 08.30-14:00, and every Wednesday to 16:30. You can also file a complaint online: https://www.synigoros.gr/en/anafora/ipovoli-anaforas
Racist Violence Recording Network: This is a network of NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) collecting information on incidents of racist violence occurring in Greece. A great number of NGOs supporting asylum seekers and refugees in Greece are part of this network and you can report to them in order to document what happened to you and learn your rights as a victim/survivor. Note: This does not substitute a formal complaint before the police. The internet page of the network can be found here: https://rvrn.org
Recording Mechanism of Informal Forced Returns: This is another initiative by NGOs. If you have experienced one or more forced (unlawful) returns from Greece to Turkey or elsewhere, you can contact one of the Greek NGOs participating in this network to document (if you want anonymously) what happened to you. Again, this does not substitute a formal complaint to the police. To know where you can report this, contact the network here: Email: recordingmechanism@nchr.gr, Tel: +30 6947977706 or +30 2107233224
Border Violence Monitoring Network: This is a transnational network documenting pushbacks and border violence. Again, it is unrelated to the government and operating independently. You can contact them directly
on WhatsApp +30 6989133548
Fundamental Rights Complaint Mechanism: This has been newly established. It is a mechanism of the state’s fundamental rights officer (FRO), where you can submit a complaint if you believe that your fundamental rights have been violated by the state during your attempt to reach Greece, or in the reception and asylum procedures in the country. Submissions are possible currently only in Greek or English. Seek help from a lawyer to make a proper submission. Find the form here: https://migration.gov.gr/en/fro-complaints/