People seeking asylum on Lesvos are continuously facing barriers to accessing international protection. One of the more recent barriers is the incorrect registration of their nationality. In recent months, the Greek Asylum Service has resumed the practice of registering newly arrived asylum seekers with a nationality different from the one they themselves have declared. This marks a repeat of the approach introduced early last year, despite a temporary hiatus following previous advocacy efforts, including by Fenix.

Applicants whose declared nationality differs from the nationality assigned to them upon registration in Greece, are often subjected to a nationality assessment. This assessment has been much contested, as it relies on opaque criteria and stereotypical cultural expectations.

This practice around the wrong registration of nationalities has serious consequences, as asylum claims are assessed through the lens of an incorrect nationality - often one with a much lower recognition rate - significantly reducing the applicant’s chances of being granted international protection.

‍

Read our full article, written by Fenix' Legal Officer Lily Davies, here: