Dear M…, dear colleague,

I am writing to share with you the findings of one of my recent inquiries about how the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) addresses allegations of fundamental rights violations in its activities in Greece.

The complainants, two NGOs, turned to my Office in 2024, as they were concerned with the quality of the support provided by the EUAA to Greek authorities. Their complaint concerned in particular the work of ‘asylum support teams’. These teams are deployed by the EUAA to assist national authorities (in this case, the Greek Asylum Service) in processing asylum claims. Staff who are part of these teams may, for instance, conduct interviews with asylum seekers.

The EUAA has no decision-making powers on individual asylum applications. Rather, the caseworkers deployed by the Agency provide assistance to national authorities in dealing with these applications. That being said, if the support provided to national authorities is not adequate, national decisions on asylum claims may be vitiated – which could have serious consequences on human lives.

Although my inquiry focused on the situation on the Greek island of Samos, the findings I have made in that context may be of broader relevance to all countries where the EUAA currently operates.

As the EUAA has concluded an operational plan with a number of Member States, I would like to share my findings with the ENO members. If you have relevant information about the issues mentioned – or if, after receiving this letter, you intend to raise the matter with your national authorities – I would be grateful if you would share it with my Office, as well as any relevant inquiry outcome, in reply to this letter. This will inform the next stage of this inquiry. If you agree with it, your input will also be published on the dedicated ENO section of the European Ombudsman website.

The EUAA has until 2 October 2026 to reply to my recommendations, which you will find attached to this letter.

Should your services require any further information concerning this inquiry, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Amandine Le Bellec, who is the inquiries officer in charge of this case, as well as Ms Marta Hirsch-Ziembinska, who is responsible for cooperation with the Network.

Yours sincerely, 

Teresa Anjinho
European Ombudsman

Strasbourg, 06/07/2026