Harolds Cross,
Dublin, Ireland
I am writing to you on the occasion of the hunger strike of 300 migrants
which is currently taking place in Athens and Thessaloníki. I have followed
the situation of refugees and migrants in Greece. I am not surprised that –
again – migrants feel compelled to choose such a strong measure to campaign
for their rights: putting their lives at risk. I express my solidarity with
their cause.
With this letter, I want to urge you to fulfill the demands of the hunger
striking migrants, before it is too late. I am 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.
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.
Greg Timony