The inquiry followed a 2022 complaint from legal aid groups I Have Rights Samos and Avocats sans Frontières France. These organizations documented repeated failures by agency staff to properly assess asylum seekers who had survived torture or inhuman treatment. Despite the agency’s support role, the watchdog emphasized that it remains responsible for upholding fundamental rights during its operations.
EU Asylum Agency criticized for failing vulnerable migrants in Greece
The European Ombudsman has formally challenged the Malta-based EU Asylum Agency over critical lapses in handling migrant interviews in Greece. Findings reveal that caseworkers frequently overlooked signs of human trafficking and failed to investigate reports of illegal pushbacks, leaving vulnerable individuals without necessary legal or psychological protection during their asylum process.
Investigations uncovered a lack of oversight mechanisms, preventing migrants from challenging errors made during their interviews. Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho issued four specific recommendations, urging the agency to implement mandatory training on human trafficking and establish a transparent reporting system for interview grievances. Furthermore, the agency must now ensure that identified victims are promptly referred to specialized support services rather than left to navigate the system alone.
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