ELIL provides crucial legal assistance to thousands of refugees in Greece and Poland. In Greece, ELIL assists refugees with accessing the asylum procedure, family reunification and first instance interview preparation. In Poland, ELIL helps refugees apply for asylum and protects them from violence and illegal pushbacks at the Belarus border. By ensuring fair asylum processes and safeguarding human rights, ELIL upholds the rule of law and supports people seeking safety.
Since the beginning of 2025, Greece and Poland have seen high numbers of refugee arrivals, stricter rules and a more hostile political environmental, all of which increase the need for legal assistance. In Greece, many legal organisations are closing or downsizing, reducing the number of available lawyers. In Poland, the situation at the Belarus border has worsened, with women and children facing violent pushbacks and detention. The shortage of legal assistance makes the situation even worse, as
ELIL provides vital legal support directly at the borders in both Greece and Poland. Our work is impactful and effective. In Greece, if a refugee meets with our legal team, they are more than twice as likely, on average, to be granted asylum. In Poland, we have lodged over 60 successful cases for interim measures at the European Court of Human Rights and have a 98% success rate in preventing pushbacks at the Poland-Belarus border. Our team also supports thousands of refugees from Ukraine in four
ELIL's work ensures fair asylum processes and protects those seeking protection. In doing so, we help uphold the rule of law, defend human rights and ensure safety for thousands of people across Greece and Poland.
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