Via Legal Center Lesvos – On Tuesday 18th July 2017, 35 refugees in Moria camp, Lesvos, were arrested. For the second day in a row, protesters sat outside the European Asylum Support Office inside the camp, holding banners denouncing dehumanising conditions, and calling for freedom of movement for those kept on the island for over 6 months. Following this peaceful exercise of the right to protest, there were clashes between a handful of protesters and Greek riot police. Police forces then carried out raids of Isoboxes, and made 35 arrests. Continue reading FREE THE MORIA35
Tag Archives: EU-Turkey deal
Deportation, self-harm and police violence: how the EU is condemning refugees to death
No Border Kitchen Lesvos on the recent escalation of violence in Lesvos:
The assaults – bravely captured on camera by refugee activists inside Moria – clearly depict the way the EU is abusing these vulnerable individuals. Following protests against the lack of action on the cases of refugees from certain countries, riot police forced the demonstrators inside the camp and closed the gates.
Europe’s forgotten crisis
Via BBC News Turkey – “The Greek islands feel abandoned by the mainland – and Greece feels abandoned by the EU”. Arrivals of migrants to Greece are growing again – but with doors elsewhere in Europe shut, most are now trapped in Greece or deported back to Turkey.
Amir Hampay Freed After 24 Days of Hunger Strike
Via Mosaik Support Center – After 24 days on hunger strike and three months in prison, Amir Hampay has been released from detention by court order and reunited with his brother, Arash. #KhozinHussein and #BahroozArash remain imprisoned, and in deteriorating condition. Arash Hampay and Solidarity Activists Lesvos will continue their hunger strike in solidarity with their call for justice, freedom and dignity. Continue reading Amir Hampay Freed After 24 Days of Hunger Strike
EU-Turkey migrant deal impacts mental health of refugees on Greek islands – Watchdog
Via Komnews – The EU-Turkey refugee deal, which aims to reduce the number of asylum seekers coming to Greece, has provoked a mental health crisis among thousands of migrants who have been trapped on Greek islands since March 2016, a human rights watchdog revealed on Wednesday. Continue reading EU-Turkey migrant deal impacts mental health of refugees on Greek islands – Watchdog
“Free us or be responsible for our deaths”
For 14 days, refugee activist Arash Hampay has refused food. On the Greek island of Lesvos, he sits on the central square of the town Mytilini surrounded by shops, cafés and tourists, presenting a sign stating “Refugees are not Criminals”.
He is exhausted but determined to continue his hunger strike until the end. His open statement leaves no doubt:
“We shall continue our hunger strike until the prisoners in Moria camp are released, regardless of the consequences for us. A life without freedom is worthless and meaningless for us. You must release the refugees or we shall end our lives in front of your eyes and the people’s eyes. We are waiting for you. The people are waiting for you. You must free us or else be responsible for our death. We will keep waiting until the last drop of life falls from our bodies.”
Migrants at Lesvos camp burn tents, clash with police
Via Ekathimerini – Migrants at the overcrowded Moria reception center on Lesvos clashed on Monday afternoon with after a protest against conditions at the center escalated with two large tents being burned during the upheaval. Continue reading Migrants at Lesvos camp burn tents, clash with police
New UNHCR Data: Returns from Greece to Turkey
The UNHCR Greece published an updated overview on returns from Greece to Turkey on 21th June. Since April 2016 1.217 persons have been deported to Turkey, almost half of them from Pakistan. Other nationalities include Syrians, Algerians, Bangladeshis and Afghans.
Click here to proceed to see the whole data from UNHCR
A year of impunity: A one year visual database of migration-related human rights abuses
OHRFMT* just published a report as a summary of one year visual database of migration-related human rights abuses. Read the whole report here and proceed to read a summary.
Evaluation of one year of the EU-Turkey Readmission Deal
The shameful anniversary of the EU-Turkey Deal happened a few month back and we re-posted some reports and statement by migrant solidarity groups and human rights organizations. Though not the statement from Halkarın Köprüsü, which we therefore published today: Continue reading Evaluation of one year of the EU-Turkey Readmission Deal