Dear Mr X, dear Chair of the LIBE Committee,

I am writing to share with you, and with the Members of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, 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. Considering the work done by the LIBE Committee, they may also be of interest for its Members. 

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

Should  the Committee require any further information concerning this inquiry, please do not hesitate my Office, in particular Mr Tiago Varzim, who is my Communications Adviser and responsible for relations with the Parliament.

Yours sincerely, 

Teresa Anjinho
European Ombudsman

Strasbourg, 06/07/2026