The application of the safe third country concept in Greece
13.7.2021
Question for written answer E-003532/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Damian Boeselager (Verts/ALE), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Alice Kuhnke (Verts/ALE), Damien Carême (Verts/ALE)
The Greek Asylum Service is dismissing asylum applications by Syrian, Afghan, Somali, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals as inadmissible based on the safe third country concept, following Greek Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) 42799/2021 declaring Turkey as a safe third country for the above nationalities.
The JMD was adopted on the basis of Opinion 8815/14.05.2021 of the Director of the Asylum Service. However, both the Asylum Service and prosecution authorities are refusing to grant asylum seekers whose individual case is being affected by the safe third country concept access to the opinion, on the grounds that they lack sufficient interest. As a result, applicants have no access to information on the application of the safe third country concept in their individual circumstances.
- 1.Does the Commission consider the refusal of the Greek authorities to grant access to Opinion 8815/14.05.2021 compatible with the right of applicants to access the information under Articles 10(3)(b) and 12(1)(d) of Directive 2013/32/EU?
- 2.Does the Commission consider the refusal of the Greek authorities to grant access to Opinion 8815/14.05.2021 compatible with the right of applicants to challenge the application of the safe third country concept in their individual circumstances under Article 38(2)(c) of Directive 2013/32/EU?