Press Release, Samos, 17th July  – On 11 July, the European Ombudsman opened an inquiry into how the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) addresses allegations of fundamental rights violations in its activities in Greece (case 229/2024/AML). 

The inquiry is based on a joint complaint against the EUAA by I Have Rights and Avocats sans Frontièrs France. The organisations presented evidence of fundamental rights violations in the EUAA’s activities in Samos. In particular, the complaint focuses on how EUAA caseworkers routinely fail survivors of pushbacks and survivors of human trafficking. 

As detailed by Emma Neuber, litigation team member at I Have Rights:

This inquiry is a welcomed opportunity to critically examine the European Union Agency for Asylum’s role in a context where asylum seekers’ fundamental rights are routinely violated.

The joint complainant, filed with the European Ombudsman’s Office in January 2024, also raises serious concern with how the EUAA addresses and investigates allegations of fundamental rights violations committed by its staff and/or by the staff of the national authorities where it carries out operations.

Press contacts: 

I Have Rights, Salomé Brun, advocacy@ihaverights.eu 

Avocats sans Frontières France, Lucile Macé, samos@avocatssansfrontieres-france.org