As Greece continues to harden its anti-immigration stance, the country has launched a ‘witch hunt’ against Refugees and their advocates, rights groups said.
It was also reported that pro-immigration humanitarian groups facing increased hostility with Some activists are turning away from struggle.
at dozens of Syrian asylum seekers are stranded on Greek-Turkish border in July, the lawyer Yevgenia Konyaki never imagined on will their case lead to abandon their work as non-governmental organizations organization (non Governmental Organization) in protest against the perceived government the pressure.
Konyaki told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that there was once up to ten people in Evros region Helping the victims of “Reply” is controversial tactics It was allegedly used by Greek border forces to return migrants to Turkey. Athena denies use.
“Now we are getting less and less,” she said, complaining that she was not given legal rights. work Because of her involvement in sensitive case of Syrian immigrants.
About 50 humanitarian workers currently facing prosecution in Greece follows the trend in Italy has also The ruling incriminates of Helping immigrants.
The Greek authorities are involved in The witch hunt targeted refugees, however also 16 rights groups said last Month.
Organizations that included prominent NGOs supporting refugees in the Aegean region and the Hellenic Council for Refugees and the Greek League for Human rights, he called on The country’s authorities to stop the “undermining and demonization” of immigrants support groups.
despite of in- Deep investigations by media and NGOs, along with copious testimonies from alleged victims, the Greek authorities have consistently denied the pushbacks.
Meanwhile, Greek officials kept at it up Verbal attacks on seek refuge support groups.
“As a Greek… I wouldn’t do that work with NGOs that are undermining national Interest “Vice Immigration minister Sofia Voltepsi told state television ERT in September.
Greece conservative governmentand elected in In 2019, he vowed to make the country “less attractive” to immigrants.
the border wall
part of that strategy Includes existing 40 km (25 mi) extension wall on Turkish border in Evros region by 80 km.
An additional 250 border guards will be deployed in The area at the end of The year.
But at the Evros River itself, on the natural border between Greece and Turkey, refugees continue to cross way to Europe.
Humanitarian workers are rarely access To the military area, which is guarded by the Greek police soldiers and the European border control agency Frontex.
In July, two lawyers were charged of Facilitating illegal entry of immigrants while trying to submit asylum applications for Two Iraqis and five Turks.
In august rights based in Vienna group Gosur said Athens was making “tremendous efforts” to link them to illegal smuggling, having filed three cases against of them did not result in convictions. The group Operations stop in October.
“There are very few NGOs left in Greece, Immigration Minister Notis Mitarashi told Sky TV this week.
Among those operating (At altitude of migration crisis) in 2015-2019, great the majority left Country on with their consent.”
Then cognac-groupHumanRights360, was involved in After helping the 38 stranded Syrian asylum seekers on Evros River Island for several days.
Asylum seekers claim that 5-year- An old girl died from a scorpion sting during this time.
But Athens has sought to refute the claim and has since tried to discredit aid workers who Came to me help they.
Human Rights 360 manager He made the conversion after initially claiming the island was Greek, which would have been the case made The emigrants’ responsibility was Athens, and they eventually said publicly that it was Turkish.
many of NGO staff including Konyaki quit in to protest-faceand they insist HumanRights360’s hand has been forced before government.
“toxic” rhetoric
“We had to deal with dozens of Similar cases…but this high-profile case has embarrassed the government, Konyacki said. who rejected access To the northern Greek camp where the Syrians were later transferred.
Athena was taken steps to control work of immigrant groups, arguing that regulation is necessary because they face vulnerability people.
new registration requirements been imposed in February 2020. In September 2021, prof new The law criminalizes charities that conduct sea rescue operations without approval of Greek Coast Guard.
Critics warned new Regulations would impair services for thousands of vulnerable people.
the Council of Commissioner for Europe for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović last year He warned that the law would “seriously hinder” life-saving NGOs work and monitoring.
Anti-NGO rhetoric has become ‘toxic’ in February 2020, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would allow Asylum seekers aim for Lefteris Papagianakis said that the European Union crosses Turkey’s borders, director of Greek Council for refugees.
Athens accuses Ankara of exploitation of refugees and using them to destabilize Greece. K resultdescribed the NGOs that advocate for them in public discourse as agents of Papagianakis said.
In June, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human rights advocate Mary Lawlor said there was “increasing criminalization”. of humanitarian assistance in Greece.
she also He criticized the “hostile comments” towards human rights defenders who They are called traitors, enemies of The state, Turkish agents, criminals, smugglers and smugglers” – sometimes by key government Numbers.
