About ASsIST
Our mission
To contribute in assuring fair process by providing information and legal aid to asylum seekers free of charge.
It is only the history as told by each individual that will and should determine their right to protection.
ASsIST’s motto is ‘FAIR PROCESS FOR ALL’
Introduction
Professional delivery of legal and public service information supported by individual interview preparation assists in assuring that the rights of asylum seekers are protected. Experience to date shows that interview preparation and the presence of legal representation assures adherence to a fair process. It contributes to lessening suffering by connecting asylum seekers to available welfare services, by increased respect shown, moral support and thereby it is anticipated that it will also reduce the length of time spent in the process, time spent in the poor living conditions in Vial CCAC, the ‘containment’ facility which lies 6.8 km from the town centre of Chios township. It is well recognized that the asylum-seeking process is physically, emotionally and psychologically debilitating for many people given the trauma of leaving their home countries and the conditions in which they are forced to live during the lengthy application process.
Large numbers of asylum seekers, mainly from the Middle East and Central African countries, continue to arrive from Turkey on the Island of Chios. Greek authorities, in coordination with the European Union, automatically detain all asylum seekers and migrants who arrive on the Aegean islands, of which Chios is one of the ‘hotspots’ of the refugee crisis. The ‘containment’ of over 5,300 people (April 2020) in a facility designed to accommodate 840 persons creates great hardship especially for vulnerable people: survivors of torture, children, pregnant women and people with disabilities and others with serious health problems. It is to be remembered that the local community, itself in economic crisis, is also bearing the burden of the number of asylum seekers living on the Island.
Legal aid and services are very limited. Free legal aid is only provided by the Greek government when an application is rejected post-interview. There are insufficiently qualified lawyers with experience in Refugee and Migration Law based on Chios to provide legal aid services: to provide accurate, up-to-date information on the procedure to apply for international protection. Fewer still are lawyers to assist and represent asylum seekers during the procedure and to provide continuity of case management to those in the early stages of the application process for international protection.
Asylum Seekers Information Services Team (A.Ss.I.S.T.)’s role is to ensure that as many asylum seekers as we can assist are well informed to be agents of their own destiny. Our aim is to serve the asylum seeker community by providing a high standard of information services to both bona vide ‘refugees’ and those ineligible for asylum.
ASsIST is committed to a fair process for all.
At ASsIST, we are committed to upholding fundamental human rights. For over five years, through a holistic, trauma-informed approach, we have supported and continue to support asylum seekers and refugees across Greece by providing them with free information and legal assistance.
Recognizing their vulnerability and respecting their autonomy, we prioritize marginalized groups, providing them with tailored support to overcome the many challenges they face daily. Our partnerships go beyond legal aid to offer services essential to well-being and integration.
Our mission is to provide fair and equitable access to asylum and social integration procedures, helping asylum seekers and refugees resolve their legal and social problems.
Our vision is to be agents of hope and to contribute to a better life for asylum seekers and refugees by adapting to change and making meaningful differences.
Our core values—justice, dignity, and solidarity—inspire our mission: to support asylum seekers and refugees with compassion and determination, especially in times of profound uncertainty.
Our operational values guide our daily commitment:
- Responsibility towards our beneficiaries, our colleagues and our supporters
- Kindness and respect in supporting people who have experienced trauma
- Equity in access to legal support
- Honesty and perseverance in overcoming linguistic, legal and cultural barriers
We recently streamlined our operations, reducing overhead and operating costs to ensure efficient service delivery. Our lawyers, on-call interpreter-translators (who work in 11 languages and offer real-time interpretation services), and managers provide prompt, professional, and high-quality service.
What’s Happening in Greece – JANUARY 2026
Greece remains a key entry point into the European Union for people seeking international protection. Arrivals continue by sea and land routes, including the Aegean islands, the Evros land border, and increasingly via the more dangerous Central Mediterranean route to Crete.
2025 saw the arrival in Greece of 48,795 people: 41,720 people by sea and 7075 people via the land borders. By 18th January 2026, a further 1203 people [712 by sea and 491 by land) arrived seeking international protection. Each and every person arriving has suffered loss, and yet has a history, skills, relationships, and aspirations that shape their lives, decisions, and the futures they could build.
Reception capacity has not kept pace with arrivals. In some locations, people are accommodated in facilities not designed for prolonged stays, while several mainland reception centres remain overcrowded. Living conditions in several reception locations continue to deteriorate, while welfare and support services remain limited and overstretched.
At the same time, access to rights has become more restricted. Laws and procedures are increasingly punitive. Delays and failures in online registration systems have, at times, prevented access to the asylum procedure. Laws and procedures are increasingly punitive. Delays and failures in online registration systems have, at times, prevented access to the asylum procedure. Many barriers persist within the asylum system, lengthening the time people spend in appalling conditions and adding to existing trauma.
Many barriers persist, preventing people from lodging asylum claims and raising serious concerns under international and European law.
In 2025, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum announced further restrictive measures, including proposals affecting people whose asylum claims have been rejected, new approaches to arrivals from certain regions, expanded use of age assessments, and a review of reception and support services. These measures have been justified by reference to capacity constraints, despite continuing needs and persistently high unemployment levels.
Significant EU funding has been allocated to Greece to support reception, asylum procedures, and integration. However, conditions on the ground continue to raise concerns among civil society organisations and legal practitioners regarding effectiveness, transparency, and access to protection.
ASsIST continues to provide free, accurate information and legal assistance to people navigating this evolving environment. Our work focuses on helping individuals understand procedures, rights, and options at a time when reliable information is more necessary than ever.