“Detention should only be ordered when people present a risk, a danger, a threat to the public and it has to be a documented threat, it cannot simply be a hunch.”. those were the words of Francois Crepeau who just completed his official visit to Edomeni, Lesvos and Samos. He also stressed that “children should not be detained.

“(Unaccompanied minors) are put in … protective custody and the only place there is space (for them) is the cell in police stations and that’s where we find them quite often,”… “Spending 16 days (in a police cell) is way too long. What is needed is specialized body of competent professionals who can take care of unaccompanied minors.” said Mr.Crepeau who also noted that he found that there were unaccompanied minors held in police stations for over two weeks, under stressful conditions and without any access to open space.

Rounding up his statement, he urged the Greek authorities to create an efficient mechanism for the unaccompanied minors as well as support the possibilities for hosting those children since all those who have come to Greece with their families are now in the hospitality centers which are filled to full capacity. 

On a more practical mater he explained that “it is very difficult for Greece to organize a long term strategy when the EU-Turkey agreement changes what is happening”. He concluded by asking that the EU should not only fund the various NGOs but also help towards the development of a long term policy.