About 5,500 persons applied for asylum in Greece in 2001, a 78 percent increase from the 3,083 who applied in 2000. The largest number came from Iraq (1,972), followed by Afghanistan (1,459) and Turkey (800). During the year, Greece approved the applications of 147 asylum seekers, granted humanitarian status to an additional 148 applicants, and ***DENIED**** 1,047 cases. Despite the substantial increase in asylum applicants in 2001, the majority of asylum seekers and migrants entering Greece continued to view the country as a point of transit en route to other Western European destinations.(so they are safe in Greece but consider it a dump and want to move to greener pastures do they. Dont sound like reffos to me, sound like fence jumpers and opportunists.)
But what the hell, atomu reckons they have plenty so 12 more wont make any difference ..There all yours Atomu, ring ya granny tell theyre coming to stay!!"..lol
OOOH! Whats this??
In 2001, Greek authorities apprehended an estimated 220,000 irregular migrants, a significant increase from the 164,000 arrests made during the previous year. In response to the increased number, the Greek government took several steps to prevent the arrival of undocumented migrants, including would-be asylum seekers. The Greek Parliament passed a new aliens law, effective in May 2001, which includes carrier sanctions and stiff penalties, such as fines and prison terms, for individuals who either employ or facilitate the entry of undocumented foreigners. The law also mandates that smugglers who knowingly transport undocumented aliens in unsafe conditions receive prison sentences of two years for each illegal alien transported. While asylum seekers technically were exempt from the provisions of the aliens law, human rights and refugee organizations reported that in practice authorities did not differentiate between undocumented asylum seekers and other illegal migrants, often denying them the chance to apply for asylum. Greece also concluded a readmission agreement with Turkey in November that provides for the return of undocumented migrants. UNHCR and human rights organizations criticized the agreement for not including procedural safeguards to ensure that asylum seekers would have access to the Greek asylum procedure, an omission that became immediately evident with the agreement’s implementation. During the third week of November, Amnesty International reported that Greek authorities summarily returned more than 120 irregular migrants to Turkey without affording them the opportunity to apply for asylum.
Oh crap , look at this,,,hahahahahaha
. During the year, the MPO Landmines that Greece deploys on its border with Turkey reportedly killed at least nine undocumented foreigners trying to enter the country in 2001. In response to the deaths of five migrants who strayed into a Greek mine field in the border zone, the U.S. Committee for Refugees called upon the Greek government to remove its minefields in a July 16, 2001 letter to the Greek Ambassador to the United States. The Greek government did not respond. On December 23, Greek landmines reportedly killed four men and injured three others, all from Iraq. Landmines in the border zone have claimed at least 20 lives since 1999. Greek detention practices also came under fire in 2001. During the year, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that poor conditions in two detention centers in Athens were inhumane and degrading for detainees. Prior to the rulings, Human Rights Watch reported a general level of filth, severe overcrowding, poor sleeping conditions, limited access to medical care, and inadequate provision of food at the two centers. There were also credible reports that authorities beat as many as 100 foreigners, at least 10 severely, in a Crete detention facility in June. Although three detention center employees faced disciplinary action for the incident, they had not been charged with criminal wrongdoing by year’s end. country’s policies largely in line with European Union (EU) standards. Among the most important amendments were provisions that allow undocumented asylum seekers full access to the asylum system, establish procedural safeguards for the treatment of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers, and allow the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to monitor the appeals process by receiving notification of decisions made by the Budapest Municipal Court. Additionally, in an effort to shorten the asylum procedure
Holy cow atomu, your humanitarian super powers are needed elsewhere........Go west, my myopic young man....lolol
