A case study of the Amygdaleza Pre-Removal
Center
On 28 April 2012 the pre - removal center
of Amygdaleza (‘Amygdaleza’) opened its doors as Greece’s first purpose - built
camp for the detention of irregular migrants. Located at the foot of Parnitha mountain
in a green landscape of around 30,000m2, surrounded by a wired fence and
equipped with 250 containers — the same ones that had been used to accommodate
earthquake survivors in the past — Amygdaleza promises to its 2,000 detainees “exemplary”
facilities and “living conditions fully consistent with human value”. 1 With
daily cleaning services, food catering of high quality, access to an open yard,
stand - by counseling and medical staff Amygdaleza sets — at least on paper — uncommonly
high standards for a country that has been publicly condemned by the CPT for
its detention facilities.