Tag Archive for 'soufli'

Medicines sans Frontiers Greece: End systematic and prolonged detention of migrants

Médecins Sans Frontières holds EU co-responsible for harm inflicted on migrants and asylum seekers in Greek detention centres. European Union must stop turning a blind eye to the unacceptable practice of prolonged and systematic detention of migrants and asylum seekers in Greece, leading international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières says.

copyright: MSF

copyright: MSF

The prolonged and systematic detention of migrants and asylum seekers in Greece is having devastating consequences on their health and human dignity, a leading international medical humanitarian organisation has said.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said given that Greece currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), the European Union must stop turning a blind eye to these unacceptable practices in view of their serious medical and humanitarian consequences. Continue reading ‘Medicines sans Frontiers Greece: End systematic and prolonged detention of migrants’

“Walls of Shame”

Accounts from the Inside: The Detention Centres of Evros
new report by Pro Asyl

Obviously, Europe’s main concern is the creation of »walls« in order to hinder or to prevent the access to its territory. Physical walls like the fence, the moat and border controls in Evros but also invisible walls that are constituted by the lack of protection to those in need, rights denials, systematic detention, detention and living conditions violating human dignity, Readmission Agreements and the Dublin II Regulation. The effects of these heightening walls have their most tragic face in the many lost and dead at border. This is why we chose to speak about walls of shame in this report.

Walls of Shame (download report in English)

A “lifting” for the detention centres of Evros – for the eyes of Europe only

In mid October 2011 there was some magic in the air in Evros…
The detention centres for irregular migrants and asylum seekers of Fylakio, Soufli, Ferres and Tychero saw a sudden change. They were painted, toilettes and showers were repaired, new blankets handed out, meal plans stitched on the walls and detainees were released or transferred to other regions of Greece. Within only a few days the whole image of the detention centres was changed for the eyes of a delegation form Europe and the Greek government. Even the detainees were for the first time since their detention (some had been there already 5 months!) allowed to have access to fresh air and walk in the yards.

The Federation of the Borderguards of Evros said in a recent press release that all renovations are of course welcomed, anyway, they insisted, that the delegation should have seen the detention centres under “normal” conditions, the ones the borderguards and the detainees have to deal with daily.

As the announcement of the borderguards said:

Very sudden money was found (for the renovation) and the number of detainees decreased. Within three days the facilities were painted, the plumbing was repaired and release papers were given generously. Why did they not leave things as we live them on daily basis?

Announcement of the Federation of Borderguards of Evros 19th of October 2011 (in Greek)

letter from the hunger strikers of Soufli 09.05.11


soufli: letter of hunger strikers (in Greek)

hunger strike in Soufli detention centre since 28th of April!!!!!

12 refugees detained in Soufli border guard station in the region of Evros started at the 28th of April 2011 a hunger strike in protest against the detention conditions and demanding freedom. Among them are: 5 Iranians, 3 Iraqis, 2 Syrians, one Turk and one Nigerian. Six of them are asylum seekers. The average detention time of the hunger strikers varies from 10 days to more than 5 months!!!!!
Due to the inhuman and degrading detention conditions in Soufli border guard station which has an official capacity of 25, but hosts in average around 130-160 sans-papiers or even more, the hunger strike becomes more and more difficult and dangerous for their lives. The struggling refugees drink only water, salt and sugar, which they have to buy in order to have access. Out of the originally 12 strikers, thus, now have remained 7.

See the latest article about the hunger strike (in Greek):
http://tvxs.gr/news/ελλάδα/σε-απεργία-πείνας-μετανάστες-κρατούμενοι-στο-σουφλί-έβρου