Cite as: Kourachanis, N., 2018. 'Asylum seekers, hotspot approach and anti-social policy responses in Greece (2015–2017)', Journal of International Migration and Integration 19(4): 1153–1167.
Abstract
This article discusses the social and housing conditions of refugee flows to Greece in the period 2015–2017. A review of the main institutional initiatives taken by the Greek state to manage the refugee crisis, following pressure from the EU, indicates that the main form of accommodation for asylum seekers is the hotspot. In the second part of the article, field research seeks to examine the fundamental social problems encountered in the hotspots. Inappropriate housing conditions, problematic hotspot management procedures, as well as onerous working conditions for the staff are only some of the issues, which make it clear that such forms of accommodation violate fundamental human rights.