Legal Centre Lesvos (GR)

The Legal Centre Lesvos AMKE is a civil non-profit organisation, registered in Greece and previously operative as a restricted fund under the auspices of Prism the Gift Fund (UK). We are partnered with the International Association of Democratic Lawyers.

Since August 2016, we provide free and individual legal information and assistance to migrants who arrived by sea to Lesvos, where our office is based. Beyond this continuous and direct support, we work on documenting violations of migrants’ rights and engage in advocacy and strategic litigation to hold the Greek government, Member States of the European Union, and European institutions to account. In addition, we advocate for equal access to safe and legal routes of migration in Greece, Europe and globally.

The Legal Centre does not see itself as a provider of humanitarian assistance for the refugee population. We believe in solidarity, not charity. We are a legal and political project which aims to create meaningful change through advocacy, strategic litigation and engagement with the refugee movement.

With this in mind, the Legal Centre adopts the following principles which guide our work in Lesvos:

  • Be in support of the right to peace and against the illegal interventions of the US and other NATO countries in Asia and Africa

  • Defend the right to asylum and expand its definition to include at the very least the concepts of environmental and economic refugees

  • Oppose the racist concept of Fortress Europe and the growing fascist movements which embrace it

  • Oppose the EU Turkey deal and all deals which seek to send asylum applicants to third countries outside of the EU

  • Support the securing of safe passage for asylum seekers wishing to travel to and within the EU to the Member State they consider appropriate

  • Support the pro refugee movement and assist in its developing of a human rights and refugee oriented approach

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