Greek lawyers protest 'shameful' bonus for dropping asylum cases

A joint ministerial decision in Greece has sparked strong backlash from the legal community, with lawyers protesting a perceived incentive for asylum seekers to withdraw their applications. The decision, interpreted as a "gift" of 250 euros, is offered when lawyers guide asylum seekers to voluntarily leave the country.

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I wonder how sick-minded these people are who devised this monstrosity that wants lawyers to be promoters (!!!) of their anti-immigration policy, with "cheese" incentives, so that any of us, instead of defending the interest of our client according to free assessment based on law and conscience, defends the interest of the colleague Minister and his politics.

Dimitris Vervessos, former president of the Athens Bar Association, sharply criticized the decision, calling it the work of "sick minds." He argued that it pressures lawyers to act as promoters of anti-immigration policies rather than defending their clients' interests according to law and conscience. Vervessos stated that lawyers are being asked to prioritize the interests of the minister and their political agenda over their clients.

The Alternative Intervention of Lawyers of Athens condemned the decision as a "day of shame for the legal profession." In a statement, they argued that the measure essentially asks lawyers to act unlawfully, violating the Constitution and the Lawyers' Code. The group highlighted that the bonus is significantly higher than the estimated cost of legal consultation, which is around 160 euros for two hours.

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The new Joint Ministerial Decision is a disgrace to the protective character of the legal profession. With a provision that involves lawyers in the racist doctrine of 'return or prison,' the Ministry bribes lawyers with a bonus of 250 euros plus VAT, in case their legal advice results in the asylum seeker declaring voluntary departure within two months!

This new joint ministerial decision is seen as an insult to the protective role of lawyers. The Alternative Intervention stated their firm opposition, calling for the decision's abolition. They urged the Athens Bar Association and other legal bodies across the country to reject any cooperation with its implementation and called on all colleagues to abstain from any "shameful participation."

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The two-month deadline in practice means that the asylum seeker must withdraw their application before the completion of its examination, since even under the extremely shortened deadlines of the border procedure, the examination of applications (must) be completed within 12 weeks.