The EEDA referred to reports from the Racist Violence Incident Reporting Network, which documented incidents involving uniformed and public officials. According to these reports, 3% of the incidents occurred in police stations, and 89 incidents targeted migrants, refugees, or asylum seekers. The Commission also cited findings by the Council of Europe’s Committee against Torture, which identified serious deficiencies in police station detention conditions across Greece, specifically noting that facilities such as the Omonia station were “unsuitable for stays exceeding 24 hours.”

Addressing systemic issues

The EEDA’s statement emphasises the importance of protecting the rights of those in detention, particularly regarding the timely and effective investigation of deaths or violence under state control. Following the two recent deaths in police custody, the Commission urged judicial and prosecutorial authorities to act swiftly and transparently. The deaths, which occurred between September 26 and October 1, have raised serious concerns about the state’s ability to safeguard the well-being of individuals in detention.

The Commission warned that the high number of such incidents points to two key systemic problems: the poor conditions in police detention centres and the failure of state institutions to prevent violence and protect detainees’ lives. EEDA further highlighted the possibility of impunity when human lives are lost under state supervision, pointing to a broader failure to uphold legal obligations.

With the upcoming visit of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) scheduled for October 6-17, 2024, the EEDA urged that these issues be addressed and thoroughly examined in the hopes of reforming the system.

Legal obligations and past violations

The Commission referenced European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rulings, noting that Greece has been found in violation of articles concerning the right to life and the prohibition of torture. The ECtHR has imposed positive obligations on states to protect life and ensure that detention conditions meet appropriate standards, particularly for vulnerable detainees. The statement stressed that these principles should be applied rigorously in practice, not merely in theory.

The EEDA also underscored the need for thorough investigations, particularly regarding the conditions under which detainees are held, their access to communication, and the adequacy of interpretation services. The Commission pointed to the Ombudsman’s 2023 report, which noted persistent failures in securing video evidence from police stations, leaving many incidents in the dark.

Call for action

The EEDA concluded by reiterating its calls for the following:

  • Immediate and effective protection of detainees’ right to life, through a comprehensive policy framework.
  • Thorough and transparent investigations into incidents of violence or death in detention, to restore public trust in law enforcement and ensure accountability.
  • Public disclosure by police authorities of all instances of violence in detention centres, especially those that amount to torture or inhumane treatment.
  • Adoption and implementation of EEDA’s recommendations concerning detention conditions, alongside compliance with recommendations from the Committee against Torture and the Ombudsman.
  • Continuous education and training of law enforcement personnel, to improve the protection of human life and the physical and mental integrity of detainees.

The EEDA’s statement reflects growing concerns about the conditions in Greek detention centres, particularly for vulnerable groups such as migrants and refugees. The Commission called for urgent reforms to ensure the protection of detainees and prevent further loss of life.

This declaration was adopted by the EEDA Plenary on October 3, 2024.

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