Our History

March 2016

Concrete wall with graffiti that says 'Welcome to Europe' in black and blue, with a yellow line crossing out the word 'Europe', and barbed wire fencing on top, with signs and trees in the background.

The EU-Turkey Statement leaves thousands of new arrivals to the Greek islands stranded as they await their first-instance asylum interview. There is only one state-appointed asylum lawyer on Lesvos.

June 2016

Graffiti on a concrete wall spelling out 'HELLO' in black spray paint with drips, alongside dried grass and weeds at the base of the wall, with trees and a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire above in the background.

European Lawyers in Lesvos is founded by the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) and the German Bar Association (DAV). The CCBE represents the bars and law societies of 32 member countries and 13 further associate and observer countries across Europe - more than 1 million European lawyers. One month later, ELIL gains access to Moria camp.

October 2016

People at a meeting table with documents, laptops, pens, and notebooks, engaged in discussion.

European Lawyers in Lesvos gGmbH is incorporated in Germany as an independent, charitable non-profit organisation.

2018

Man speaking at a conference panel, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and blue patterned tie, with a nameplate reading "V. SKOURIS". Another man next to him in a gray suit appears to be taking notes. Several other attendees are visible in the background.

ELIL is registered in Greece. Professor Vassilios Skouris, eminent Greek judge and former President of the European Court of Justice, joins as chair of the Supervisory Board.

December 2019

A refugee camp with numerous white tents, people walking, and a mountainous landscape in the background.

ELIL operations are expanded to Kara Tepe, a refugee camp on Lesvos for vulnerable asylum seekers managed by UNHCR. 

The Conseil National des Barreaux (CNB), or French Bar Association, joins as an ELIL stakeholder.

January 2020

A scenic landscape view of the ocean with hills in the background, framed by tall trees and a barbed wire fence in the foreground.

A new asylum law comes into force in Greece. This law emphasises speed, erodes legal safeguards and focuses on increasing returns of people to Turkey. 

June 2020

A densely packed refugee camp with numerous tents and temporary shelters situated among trees on a hillside, with a group of people walking on a dirt path.

ELIL expands its operations to the island of Samos, where there are fewer than ten lawyers to assist almost 7,000 asylum seekers.

September 2020

Nighttime scene of a large fire with thick smoke in the background. Silhouettes of people are standing and walking near the fire, with some trees and structures visible in the foreground.

A fire ravages Moria and displaces its 13,000 residents, who are moved to a new camp. ELIL joins other legal organisations' advocacy regarding access to legal assistance in the new facility.

May 2021

A woman wearing a black vest with the words 'European Lawyers in Lesvos' written on the back, working on a laptop in an office setting, with a masked man in the background also working on a laptop.

ELIL opens an additional office in Athens, to support asylum-seekers on the mainland.

May 2022

Sign on glass window reads 'European Lawyers in Lesvos' with a logo and scales of justice symbol.

ELIL opens a new office in Thessaloniki.

August 2022

Map of Poland with city names and a bilingual informational sign in English and Ukrainian, indicating services for refugees, including transportation and humanitarian assistance.

ELIL launches its Poland Project to assist refugees fleeing Ukraine.

February 2023

Three people seated at a white table in a conference room, two men and a woman. The woman has blonde hair, wears glasses, a pink headband, and a black sweater. The man in the middle has dark hair, a beard, and wears a light-colored sweater. The man on the right has short dark hair and wears a red sweater. They are working on laptops with papers and office supplies on the table, in front of large windows showing parked cars outside.

ELIL launches a new project at the Poland-Belarus border assisting people to navigate the asylum process.

June 2024

Construction site with portable office containers, people walking, and mountains in the background.

Due to the growing needs on the island, ELIL restarted in-person and full-time operations on Samos.