Number of unaccompanied child refugees in Greek detention centres rises 'alarmingly', says human rights group

'Dozens of vulnerable children are locked in dirty, crowded facilities, in some cases with unrelated adults'

Children stand behind a fence inside the Moria migrant camp transformed in police-run detention facility in Mytilene, on Lesbos island (ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images)

The number of unaccompanied child migrants living in "dirty" Greek detention centres has increased "alarmingly", a human rights organisation has warned.

An estimated 117 children were in police cells or custody centres in Greece at the end of July, compared to just two in November 2016, according to figures released by the country's government.

Under Greek law, the authorities should separate minors into safe accommodation, where they are appointed guardians who represent them in legal proceedings.

But when there is no space in safe shelters, the authorities detain them in police stations and immigration detention facilities, sometimes with unrelated adults.

“Instead of being cared for, dozens of vulnerable children are locked in dirty, crowded police cells and other detention facilities across Greece, in some cases with unrelated adults,” said Eva Cossé, the country's researcher at Human Rights Watch.

“The Greek government has a duty to end this abusive practice and make sure these vulnerable kids get the care and protection they need.”

Human Rights Watch has written to Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas to stop the automatic detention of unaccompanied children.

It suggested the government should amend legislation and significantly shorten the amount of time a child can be detained in protective custody.

While they wait for a space in a shelter, many children are not provided with information about their rights and are not told how to apply for asylum, the organisation said.

Aid workers have previously reported that the uncertainty and distress caused by the asylum process, exacerbated an ongoing mental health crisis among migrants living on the islands.

Children as young as nine have harmed themselves, while 12-year-olds have attempted to kill themselves, Save the Children said in March.

In some cases, the group said that children were being wrongly identified as adults and were placed in adult camps.