Greece wants to tackle border crossings with sounds cannons // Syrians deported from Lebanon to Syria // Germany refuses solidarity with…
Greece: Letters and memos Several EU member states, including France, Germany and Italy, complained about Greece’s effort of returning people, who moved on to Western European countries. In a joint letter seen by politico, the speak about a “rapid increase” of people, who were granted asylum in Greece, travelling to other countries and asking for asylum a second time — in Germany alone, some 17,000 people did this successfully since July 2020. “Some national courts,” the letter said, “consider that Greece is not ensuring that these persons are given suitable accommodation and provided with a minimum level of physical subsistence.” A Greek official denied the accusations saying, Greece was fully compliant with its obligations and is not responsible for the so-called secondary flows. In an open letter to the Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs of the Commission of the European Union, Koraki demands to stop EU fundings for the Greek government. In particular, they refer to the ongoing human rights violations like pushbacks: We must request that, given the ongoing shocking, illegal and unacceptable behaviour by the Greek government towards men, women and children who are attempting to use their right to live, learn and work in safety, you could perhaps at least suspend further payments to the Greek government until these cases — cases the Commission itself wants to be investigated — are taken seriously and heard by the Greek government?
Regarding the push-backs, the Supreme Court Prosecutor has sent 15 First Instance Prosecutors the criminal complaint for the investigation of 147 cases of push-backs with more than 7000 people affected betweetn March and December, Racist Crime Watch reveals. But a memo leaked from the Migration Ministry shows, that officials try to intimidate their own staff and order them to not take part in any court trial of possible illegal acts. Who still does it, will face disciplinary action.
At the same time, there are media report about the Greek border police intending to use sound cannons and drones on a new border fence. “It is part of a system of steel walls that is being installed and tested along with drones on the 200-kilometre border with Turkey for migration defence”, site36 writes. While the EU clarified, that it is not involved in this project and expressed its concerns. But the EU is also funding projects using drones for border surveillance on land, water and air.
Greek authorities have started vaccination campaigns on the Aegean islands. Every Thursday and Friday people will be offered to get a dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to RND. But only 15 percent shows interest in the programme so far, the Migration Ministry said. It is estimated, that some 30 percent already have antibodies and another 30 percent are minors — who cannot be vaccinated at the time.