Migration Minister Thanos Plevris announced that Greece has begun implementing rigorous age verification tests for migrants and asylum seekers claiming to be unaccompanied minors.
The initial results, shared via a social media post, indicate a significant number of false declarations.
Minister Plevris reported that the first round of examinations, conducted under a new joint ministerial decision issued in August, targeted over 100 suspected cases:
- Cases Examined: 104
- Found to be Adults: 59
Plevris stated that “The consequences for those who made false declarations are self-evident.” These consequences typically include referral to adult detention facilities and potentially facing criminal charges for providing false information.
This policy aims to address a long-standing issue at reception centers, where adult migrants allegedly pose as minors to access faster processing, more generous accommodations, and specialized protections intended only for children.
Age verification methodology for migrants
A joint statement from the Ministries of Migration and Asylum and Education detailed the comprehensive, multi-layered approach now used for age determination:
- Medical Assessment: A general physical and dental check by medical professionals.
- Psychosocial Evaluation: An assessment by psychologists or social workers of the applicant’s maturity, background, and life history.
- Skeletal X-ray: An X-ray of the left wrist and hand is performed to determine the migrant’s bone age (skeletal maturity). This method is widely used in forensics but its accuracy in fully determining exact age, particularly in older adolescents, is subject to scientific debate.
Crucially, the new Greek protocol establishes a clear hierarchy for resolving conflicting results: the X-ray assessment takes precedence when the results from the three methods differ.
Context of unaccompanied minors
The issue is critical because individuals officially recognized as Unaccompanied Minors (UAMs) receive specific legal protections under Greek and EU law, including specialized housing, guaranteed access to education, medical care, and priority handling of their asylum claims.
Ensuring that only genuine minors receive these protections is the stated goal of the stricter age testing regime.
Related: Greece and Cyprus Eligible for EU Migration Aid Under New Pact
