Migration

Zoe is eligible for a residence permit. To apply for it, she would have to abandon her asylum procedure, and she would be prohibited to work for a year, hence being unable to continue her university studies.

Zakariya and his two children were pushed back to Turkey, even though they were refugees in Belgium. They smuggled themselves back to Greece, but Belgium refused to grant them a visa because they had lost their address in Belgium, and Greece refused them access to the asylum procedure because they were already recognised refugees in Belgium.

Simon as many people on the move has been victim of a pushback, an illegal procedure considered a criminal act under the law, and because of this he was critically injured.

Paul is bisexual and was tortured in his country, but his story is being challenged by the asylum service, as is often the case with LGBTQI+ people who do not covey the classical stereotype that asylum officers expect that a queer person should present. 

Despite the evidence provided by Muhammad and his wife, the authorities have denied them asylum, stating that they are safe in Turkey. Without examining their reasons for fleeing their country of origin, they have been rejected and are now in legal limbo.

Michael was eligible for a humanitarian residence permit and he applied to the Ministry of Migration, but his application was rejected because the Greek government passed a law with retroactive effect Although the judge ruled in favour of Michael, the authorities have still not complied with the decision.

After three failed asylum applications, where she even showed evidence of having been a victim of human trafficking in Turkey, Layla complains of disdainful behaviour by asylum officials.

Despite having the same history, journey and asylum claim, Jana and her two siblings received different decisions and ended up separated.

After a pushback and two years of homelessness and poor health, Arash eventually managed to get a job and access to medical care in Greece. However, after two asylum rejections, he lost his right to work and social security.

Ali and his family were quickly integrated into Greek society, but their application to the Ministry of Migration for a humanitarian residence permit based on their excellent integration was rejected, because the government passed a law with retroactive effect.