Minors like Nasser, between the ages of 15 and 18, are a vulnerable group, says lawyer Georgios Choulis. “The problem is that their guardianship lies with the Greek state. For example, if a counselor wants to take them to the doctor, he must get permission. If it doesn’t, the counselor is liable if something happens along the way.”
Permission is also required for legal assistance, says Choulis. He himself accompanies several migrants, but hardly any minors. “I almost never get permission for that.”
And that while many minors can use social assistance according to him. Several months ago Choulis wrote a report with testimonials about police brutality. Nasser also has to deal with this, he says. “They hit us for no reason. Only when there are tourists around, they don’t do anything.”
Several hundred young people
He cannot say often enough how badly he wants to leave. Preferably to Germany, he has a vague acquaintance there. But he doesn’t really care. As long as it’s not Samos.
The Greek government also says it wants to get the young people out of the camps as soon as possible. For months, groups of minors have been transferred to shelters on the mainland or to EU countries that want to receive them.
Last week, 830 young people were left on the islands, according to a government report. 400 have now been brought to the mainland from Lesbos.
Mental health problems
Although they often appear physically strong, young people are much more psychologically vulnerable than adult migrants, aid organizations note. At ‘Still I rise’, which works for minors on Samos, they regularly see young people with severe panic attacks and young people injuring themselves.
Nasser does that too. There is a large purple bandage around his leg. He cut himself there yesterday, he says. His arms are also covered in scars. The uncertainty drives him crazy.
In addition to uncertainty, there is frustration. Because his friend, another 16-year-old Syrian boy, has already been told that he is on the list to leave soon. Although Nasser is in the same situation, he doesn’t know anything yet. That does not surprise lawyer Choulis. He gets annoyed by these kinds of situations every day. “Everything happens randomly here. Totally random.”
Who is responsible?
The fact that young people are still in the camps is also a problem for the European Union – says the Greek government. Because it is difficult to set up shelters for all these young people in the short term, Greece says it depends on how many young people want to take in other countries.
Several countries had already promised to do this before the fire in Moria. In addition to fifty youngsters from Moria, the Netherlands does not want to allow minors in. However, money has been made available to set up three homes in Greece, where a total of 48 young people can stay. In the course of 3 years, the government hopes to be able to help some 500 young people, said State Secretary Broekers-Knol.
But it is going too slowly, says lawyer Choulis. And according to him that is also due to the Greek government. “You can’t all receive aid money and leave those kids there anyway. I can still understand that they don’t care about the adults. But those kids. At least put them in a hotel on the mainland. Not in a camp.”
New life
Nasser can only wait until the day that his name is also announced through the camp speakers. He doesn’t understand why it has to take so long. “I left Syria because there was war. I didn’t come here to look for problems. I want to go to Europe to learn and get to know people.”
Two and a half months ago he asked if he could not return to Syria if he cannot go to Europe. But there was no answer to that question. “What can I do? I am a minor. As long as I am here in Greece my life will remain the same.”
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