An Island in Despair: Documenting the situation for refugees and displaced people in Lesvos, Greece

Located across the sea from Turkey, the Greek island of Lesvos receives large numbers of refugees and displaced people hoping to seek asylum within the European Union. Since the so-called EU-Turkey Statement was signed in March 2016, thousands have found themselves trapped in Lesvos whilst overcrowding intensifies and living conditions worsen.

In this context, Refugee Rights Europe sent a research delegation to Lesvos from 18 to 22 June 2018, to document and shed light on the situation there. The research findings, based on interviews with 311 refugees and displaced people, highlight an urgent and tense environment on the island due to overcrowding, lack of capacity and resources, and unauthorised mobility.