The case concerns the living conditions of three unaccompanied children and the placement of one of the applicants in protective custody. The applicants alleged that the Greek authorities left them homeless, denied them access to healthcare and failed to appoint a legal guardian.
The ECtHR recalled that the extreme vulnerability of unaccompanied or accompanied minors must be the primary consideration. The Court found that the applicants’ treatment exceeded the threshold of severity under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) , as they were either left in appalling conditions in protective custody, on the streets, or in substandard accommodation for periods ranging from 3,5 to 5 months. Additionally, the Court found that the placement of one applicant in protective custody constituted a violation of Article 5(1) of the ECHR.
Read the full decision here.