19 June 2020
Only 18 out of 40 NGOs working in migrant and refugee centres
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"Only 18 out of 40 non-governmental organizations operating in migrants and refugees hosting structures have applied to register in the new registry and were granted the right to continue their work. The NGOs that were certified in the old registry of the Interior Ministry had a deadline to register again in the “Register for Greek and Foreign Non-Governmental Organizations” until June 14.
However, less than half of those currently operating in the accommodation centers have applied."
Greece: Only 18 NGOs allowed to operate within migrants & refugees centers (keeptalkinggreece.com, link)
The new rules have proven highly-controversial with groups working on the ground and have been heavily-criticised. According to Refugee Support Aegean:
"The regulations set out so far on the operation of NGOs include stringent, disproportionate and arbitrary requirements for registration and certification, which create risks of violations of rights of civil society. The changes come against the backdrop of policy efforts appearing to create an increasingly hostile environment for civil society in Greece, as well as plans for broader legislation on NGOs. The adoption of such rules is liable to result in unacceptable restrictions on the operation and activities of civil society and on the right to association. Beyond infringing legality, proportionality and freedom of association, they are liable to have broader repercussions for non-profit work, transparency and efforts to prevent rule of law backsliding in Greece and beyond."
See: Risk of Repression: New Rules on Civil Society Supporting Refugees and Migrants in Greece
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