22rd of February 2011
Hunger strike of 300 migrants in Athens and Thessaloniki: Legalization Now!
Dear democracy custodians,
We are writing to express our concern over the hunger strike of 300 migrants which is still currently in place in Athens and Thessaloniki. We are victims of the same situation those refugees and migrants that are participating in the hunger strike for almost 30 day now in Greece and such has become the only weapon that can be use by them against some public office holders in the country to express their dissatisfaction within the society. We are not surprised that until today, 300 HUMAN BEING are laying in the ‘Icon of the World Democracy’ without foods and drinks in requesting of their right but as it is, the current custodian of the country’s democracy is about showing to the world another meaning of the word (Democracy) with the government choice on the aforementioned matter after migrants feel compelled to choose such a strong measure to campaign for their rights: putting their lives at risk. We express our solidarity, support with their causes and if those 300 migrants cause, voice is not being treated, listen and met, more of us will join in the hunger strike which can lead to further action.
In our many years in Greece, we heard from the streets on daily basis that; “Greeks are pride people”, with your government continue silence to the demand of the 300 migrants for better life for migrants in Greece, has reveal that the government is also ‘pride’ rather than humility in protecting the right and human dignity within is territory. We urge you to fulfill the demands of the hunger striking migrants, i.e. the unconditional legalization of all migrants in Greece; because it’s getting too late as we start witnessing waves of many hunger strikers had to be hospitalized. Their health and indeed their lives are at risk here, and it is the responsibility of the Greek government to resolve the situation immediately by decreeing legalization.
We have heard some MP’s saying the Greek government will not be held to ransom or taken hostage by migrants but these same MP’s accepting ransoms and hostages from their European Commission which force on the Greece government with its policies of illegal migrants staying the first country they enter and also on “border fencing”. By following the migrants’ demands, the Greek government can send powerful political signals. We believe that your government is afraid of going into political confrontation with other European member states as the government is trying to overcome its economic crisis but human dignity and life can not be substitute with selfish political interest by other EU member states. Free the migrants is as the same as freeing you country.
Genuine legalization for all migrants in Greece today will be the only true practices of democracy and human right in the Hellenic Republic.