Athens, Greece, 14 September 2022 — A year since the shift in power in Afghanistan, a new report from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) reveals the immense obstacles faced by Afghans seeking protection in Greece.
The worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has driven more than 2 million people to flee to neighbouring countries. While more than 90% of those displaced have remained in the region, a small proportion have applied for asylum in Europe. In 2022, Afghans are the second largest group applying for asylum in the EU, after Ukrainians.
However, while the EU has applied the Temporary Protection Directive to safeguard the rights of people fleeing Ukraine, refugees from other countries - including Afghanistan - often find themselves trapped in legal limbo for years, taking a devastating toll on their physical and mental wellbeing.
The IRC’s experience in Greece finds that Afghan refugees and asylum seekers in the country face considerable barriers to accessing protection and the support they need to rebuild their lives. They often report violent pushbacks from Greek borders, complex and restrictive procedures that undermine their legal right to asylum, and a lack of access to dignified reception conditions, healthcare, education and the legal documents needed to sign an employment contract or rent a house.
These policies of containment and deterrence have resulted in a mental health crisis among Afghans in Greece. Of the 192 Afghan refugees and asylum seekers supported by the IRC’s mental health teams in the country between April 2021 and March 2022, 97% reported symptoms of depression while 50% had considered suicide.
The IRC is calling on the Greek government to better safeguard Afghans seeking protection, by urgently guaranteeing access to full and fair asylum procedures, as well as dignified reception conditions and integration support from day one.
Mojdeh*, a 26-year-old woman from Afghanistan living in Athens, said:
“My daughter has only gone to school for two months. We have all fallen behind… Just in one month we changed houses four times, so my daughter also had to change her school each time… I want to work, learn the language, and just have a simple house to have a good future for me and my daughter. This is a good country, here there is no war. I want to stay, but I have been here for four years with no documents. The government doesn’t protect or support me. If I could, I would stay here and create the best life for myself and give back to the government, but people leave here for a reason.”
Dimitra Kalogeropoulou, IRC Greece Director, said:
“Many Afghans fleeing conflict and persecution in their own country think their troubles will be over once they reach Europe. Unfortunately, as our new report reveals, this is simply not the case. People instead face the stark reality of violent pushbacks from Greek borders, months or years living in fear of being sent back to Turkey or Afghanistan where they could face untold horrors, extended periods trapped in prison-like reception conditions far from towns and cities, and an alarming lack of support to begin rebuilding their lives.
"The Greek government can and must do better to ensure Afghan asylum seekers and refugees are offered a brighter future in Greece. All those seeking protection in Greece must be provided with the documents they need to access employment, healthcare and social benefits so they can begin to get back on their feet. People must be supported to integrate from day one via Greek language lessons, psychosocial support and access to community-based housing, education and healthcare. The Greek authorities have failed the people of Afghanistan for too long - it’s time to provide the security and stability that is desperately needed by all people forced to flee, enabling them to contribute and bring a wealth of valuable skills and experiences to host communities across the country.”
Imogen Sudbery, IRC Executive Director of Europe Policy and Advocacy, said:
“It’s alarming that European support for people fleeing Afghanistan appears to have waned over the past year. In October and November 2021, shortly after regime change in the country, more than 90% of Afghans applying for refugee status in the EU received positive decisions. Once the majority of emergency evacuations dried up, in May 2022, this figure had plummeted to just 53%. As the level of humanitarian need in Afghanistan continues to soar, EU countries have a deep responsibility to scale up their support and ensure that all those fleeing are protected and their rights upheld - regardless of how they arrive in Europe.
"More than 75,000 people fleeing Ukraine have arrived in Greece this year. Both the EU and the Greek government’s approach to these new arrivals shows they are capable of welcoming people with dignity and humanity, when a political decision has been made to do so. Now we’re calling on Greece to extend a similar welcome to the more than 37,600 refugees and asylum seekers on its territory from Afghanistan, in addition to those fleeing other conflicts across the globe.”
* name changed to protect her privacy.