UNHCR says new Greek asylum system unfair
AFP
ATHENS- The UN refugee agency said Friday a new system in Greece to decide who should be granted asylum seeker status was not up to standard, and refused to take part in the process.
The UNHCR, which helps governments around the world in their asylum procedures, said problems in the new set-up meant it was neither fair nor efficient.
Such guarantees were required under both international and European law, the agency said.
Other criticism included outsourcing of the early stages of the decision-making process to police forces across Greece, instead of the procedure being carried out centrally, and changes to the appeals procedures.
"These developments are likely to make protection in Greece even more elusive for those who need it," said UNHCR regional representative Laurens Jolles.
As a result of the developments, the UNHCR said it would not take part in initial hearings on asylum claims or appeal hearings on a huge backlog of cases.
But the agency added it would "be ready to be fully involved and to play an effective role" if Greece overhauled the system.
Greece has been hard pushed to deal with soaring immigration, which has fuelled social tension and been credited with boosting the popularity of the extreme right in recent European parliamentary elections.
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