On December 31, 2024, an accompanied 17-year-old Nigerian entered Greece, and was held at the Leros Reception and Identification Center (RIC) for 20 days. Although his asylum application was registered and he received legal status with geographic restriction to Leros, he remained confined in the “Safe Zone” for unaccompanied minors within the RIC for another 64 days without a formal detention order. During this period, he was separated from his uncle and aunt and was kept in poor conditions, lacking adequate food and hygiene, access to education, and medical and psychological support. He was exposed to violence and bullying.
The Court found that the child’s detention amounts to de facto detention without legal basis, in violation of Greek and international law. It emphasized the child’s age, vulnerability, and the unjustified delay in assigning him a guardian or transferring care to his relatives. The Court ordered the Leros RIC authorities to allow the minor to leave the facility twice a week under the supervision of designated staff, and to immediately assign his care to either his relatives or legal guardian.
Read the full decision here.