Island protestors set up blockades to halt production of new migrant detention centres

·

Protest groups on three eastern Greek islands on Monday begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centres.

The groups on Lesvos, Chios, and Samos have received broad support on the islands, including from municipal authorities and farming associations.

The government says it is determined to build detention centres on recently appropriated land to replace overcrowded camps on the islands — announcing that construction would resume this week after a brief break for consultations.

But many islanders fear that new facilities will only increase the number of migrants and refugees after the government failed to deliver on a pledge to ease overcrowding over the winter months.

“We are guarding the (appropriated) area, and if they start building, everyone here and from the surrounding villages will join the protest — because we don’t want this,” Stephanos Apostolou, a protest organizer and municipal council member from the village of Mandamados on Lesvos, told The Associated Press.

Croatia’s European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman, left, speaks with the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias during a meeting of Foreign ministers from southeast European countries focused in European Union membership efforts in the Balkan region, in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

Greece remains the European Union’s busiest entry point for refugees and migrants, with nearly 4,000 making the winter crossing from Turkey to Greek islands this year through Feb. 16, according to data from the United Nations refugee agency.

Croatia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, said its priority was to improve screening mechanisms to separate legitimate asylum seekers from other migrants entering the 27-nation bloc.

“We have to make a distinction between the refugees and illegal immigration,” he told the AP, speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of southeast European foreign ministers in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki.

“That’s very important and we have to fight the smugglers, the criminals who organize illegal immigration and we should should protect the European Union from illegal immigration.”

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greek fire in ‘The Belly of the Beast’ at St Kilda

‘The Vineyard’ in St Kilda (also known as ‘The Belly of the Beast’) has a long and rich ethnic-Australian heritage.

Jenny Souris Foundation Gala raises $100,000 to help young cancer fighter Jack

The Jenny Souris Foundation’s fundraising gala raised funds for four-year-old Jack, who is courageously battling Stage IV Neuroblastoma.

Greek Australian George Moulos attempts record-breaking ‘March Across Greece’

Young Greek Australian entrepreneur George Moulos will embark on a transformative 1,200 km journey across Greece on foot.

proika exhibition explores cultural bonds that unite the Greek Australian community

On November 20, the proika project invites you to the launch their multimedia exhibition, melding fashion, photography and conversations.

Heliades Greek Women’s Network celebrate Melbourne Cup in style

The Greek Women's Network (Heliades) hosted a vibrant celebration of the Melbourne Cup on Sunday, November 3.

You May Also Like

Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James lead All-Star teams in honouring Kobe and Gianna Bryant

The NBA's All-Stars will be playing this year with Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant in their minds and on their jerseys. So, coming soon: No....

Greece pays respect to pilots killed fighting fires

Greece paid its respects on Thursday to the two pilots killed when their Canadair CL-215 plane fighting wildfires crashed on Evia island.

Australians of Greek heritage named finalists in Victorian Premier’s Design Awards

Finalists have been revealed for the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards and among the list are at least five Australians with Greek heritage.