The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) raised concerns Tuesday over the “inhuman and degrading” conditions in Greece’s refugee camps.
The committee’s report said the situation was particularly alarming at the Fylakio camp near the Turkish border — one of the “hot spots” set up with backing from the EU to speed up refugee processing.
There was a lack of doctors, medicines, food and drinking water in several camps along Turkey’s land border, in Athens, and on the Aegean islands.
In the northeastern town of Fylakio, up to 95 migrants were being housed in a single room.
People were detained for extended periods of time in inadequate and “dirty” conditions at border patrol stations such as Isaacio and Tychero.
Many migrants were suffering from scabies because of the poor state of washing facilities, clogged toilets and dirty mattresses and blankets.
Refugees at several camps, including Moria on the island of Lesbos, reported suffering abuse and beatings at the hands of police.
Hundreds of unaccompanied minors were being housed with single men and at risk of sexual violence.
Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized the state of living conditions in the facilities. The EU has set aside almost €510 million ($576 million) to help Athens accommodate refugees until 2020.
Source: DW
