The Asylum crisis in Europe : the Greek situation and beyond

The European Policy Centre, in cooperation with the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, is pleased to invite you to a screening of a documentary on the situation of asylum seekers in Greece, followed by a Policy Dialogue, on Wednesday, 27 June 2012, 9.30-11.30 (registration from 09.00), at Residence Palace, Polak room, Rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Brussels.

The situation of asylum seekers in Greece is a source of major concern. Several reports have highlighted the problem which has been going on for years, but has been aggravated by the worsening economic situation. The European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice concluded that transfers of asylum seekers to Greece under the Dublin mechanism could lead to inhumane treatment.

Further evidence of this crisis has been brought to light by a recent documentary by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), the Greek Forum of Refugees and the film maker Matthias Wiessler, which will be premiered in Brussels on World Refugee Day on 20 June. Entitled "How Much Further ?", it illustrates the desperate plight of asylum seekers in Greece and describes the difficulties encountered in a country where the asylum and reception systems are dysfunctional.

This Policy Dialogue will debate the issues raised by the deepening asylum crisis, not just in Greece but in other Member States, where there is increasing cause for concern, and will look at the wider implications for EU and national policies on asylum seekers. The documentary will be introduced by Allan Leas, Acting Secretary General of ECRE. Following the documentary, panellists will review measures already adopted and consider what further action is needed to guarantee the respect and dignity of asylum seekers in Europe. Speaking on the panel will be Maria Åsenius, Head of Cabinet of Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, Henrik Ankerstjerne, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice in Denmark, Georgios Papanikolaou, MEP (to be confirmed), Madeline Garlick, Head of Policy and Legal support unit, UNHCR Bureau for Europe, and Yves Pascouau, Senior Policy Analyst, EPC. The meeting will be chaired by Josef Janning, Director of Studies, EPC.

European Policy Centre
Tel : 02 231 03 40
Fax : 02 231 07 04 - 02 230 74 72
www.epc.eu