The Ombudsman opened an own-initiative inquiry to assess how the European Commission ensures respect for fundamental rights in EU-funded migration management facilities in Greece. The inquiry was opened in response to concerns that have been raised about the ‘Multi-Purpose Reception and Identification Centres’ (MPRICs) for accommodating migrants and asylum seekers. In particular, concerns that the MPRICs, which receive funds through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Internal Security Fund, pose potential fundamental rights risks.

In the context of inquiry, the Ombudsman inquiry team met with the Commission and inspected documents relevant to the case. The inquiry team also consulted civil society organisations.

The Ombudsman considers that the Commission has a duty to ensure that EU-funded initiatives uphold fundamental rights. Her inquiry identified issues with how the Commission has complied with its duty to ensure the MPRICs comply with fundamental rights standards. Given the ongoing concerns with fundamental rights in the MPRICs, including with regard to the detention-like nature of the facilities in some of the MPRICs, the Ombudsman also suggested that the Commission should carry out a fundamental rights impact assessment of the MPRICs, with a view to identifying measures to mitigate any potential fundamental rights risks, and publish this assessment. Her inquiry also identified issues with the transparency of the Task Force on Migration Management, which was set up by the Commission to improve conditions and end overcrowding in migrant reception centres. She made suggestions to address this, to which the Commission replied.