Gruppe B.A.S.T.A. (Human Rights Collective)
Scharnhorststr. 57
48151 Münster
Germany
To
Greek Embassy in Germany
Ministry of Citizen Protection of the Hellenic Republic
Ministry of Interior, Decentralisation and E-Government of the Hellenic Republic
Ministry of Health of the Hellenic Republic
Hunger strike of 300 migrants in Athens and Thessaloníki: Legalisation Now!
24th of February 2011
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are writing to you on the occasion of the hunger strike of 300 migrants which is
currently taking place in Athens and Thessaloníki. We have followed the situation of
refugees and migrants in Greece. We are not surprised that – again – migrants feel
compelled to choose such a strong measure to campaign for their rights: putting
their lives at risk. We want to express our solidarity with their cause.
With this letter, we want to urge you to fulfil the demands of the hunger striking
migrants, i.e. the unconditional legalisation of all migrants in Greece, before it
is too late. We are acutely aware that the hunger strike is approaching its 30th
day, and already, many hunger strikers had to be hospitalised. 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 a legalisation. In my
understanding, this constitutes the only permanent and viable solution to the
despicable situation of refugees and migrants in Greece, a political issue various
Greek governments have struggled with unsuccessfully.
By following the migrants’ demands, the Greek government can send powerful political
signals. A legalisation would be the strongest communication to the other EU member
states that the current system of delegating responsibility to the fringes of Europe
cannot continue and needs a courageous solution. A legalisation would also finally
end the years of uncertainty migrants have been facing in Greece and attribute them
their rights as part of the society that they have long earned by their labour in
the Greek economy and the life they have led in Greece.
A legalisation would also send a clear political message that it is necessary to
deal with the new and (be)coming citizens in a fair, respectful and dignified way
and that xenophobia and racism are damnable attitudes that better belong to the
past.
The European answer of bordering and exclusion has no future, it only creates pain
and violations of rights.
Yours sincerely
Gruppe B.A.S.T.A. (Human Rights Collective)
Scharnhorststr. 57
48151 Münster
Germany