Greece builds trench in Evros

Greece builds trench in Evros

Reportedly, Greece has begun work on a moat along its border with
Turkey in a further bid to deter irregular migrants from entering the
country. The water-filled trench will be 30 meters wide and 7 meters
deep, with part of the press reporting that the moat will be 120 km long
and other media sources that its length will be only 20 km. The first
14.5 km section has just been completed near the town of Orestiada in
northeastern Greece.The trench in Evros is absurd, said a spokesperson
of the German Human Rights Group Pro Asyl to Spiegel-online, adding that
"such actions increase the death toll of refugees crossing the border.

Meanwhile, the Citizen Protection Ministry has opened up its plans to
construct a 10-kilometer fence along the Greek-Turkish border to public
consultation until 20 August. The 5.5-millio-euro project is aimed at
deterring irregular migrants and traffickers.

(spiegelonline.de, tovima.gr, inews.gr, 4 August/ Kathimerini, Avgi,
dw-world.de, onalert.gr, prionokordela.gr, 5 August)


UN High Commissioner for Refugees:  No to hatred

An Op-Ed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres on
the tragedy in Norway was published in the Greek largest daily TA NEA
today (5/8). Guterres notes the cruel irony of such an utterly brutal
attack taking place in a country renowned for its generosity and
devotion to peace. He also reflects on the need for tolerance. I believe
that multiculturalism is a good thing, as well as an inevitability. All
societies tend to be multicultural, multiethnic and multireligious.  The
opposite encourages conflict, stresses Guterres.

(TA NEA, 5 August)

13 migrants aboard dinghy rescued off Corfu

A dinghy carrying 13 irregular migrants- believed to be of Afghan
origin- was spotted west off Corfuon Tuesday (2/8) by an Italian
fisherman. Italian authorities informed the Greek Coast Guard that
launched an air-sea rescue operation as the dinghy was reportedly at
distress. All 13 migrants were safely transferred to the General
Hospital of Corfu.

(newsit.gr, 2 August / newsbeast.gr, thebest.gr, 3 August / Adesmeftos
Typos, 4 August)

The remains of Patras

A photo spread by Giorgos Moutafis featuring the harsh reality of
irregular migrants -from Afghanistan, Sudan, Algeria and Morocco-who
still remain in Patras following several 'sweep' operations held in
recent weeks, was published in the newspaper To Vima. Those who were not
arrested for deportation or held in custody have been left forgotten,
living at the margins of the brand new port of Patras, in abandoned
boats, parks and derelict buildings.

(tovima.gr, 4 August)

New immigration bill in Parliament

Interior Minister Haris Kastanidis launched an immigration bill in
Parliament on Thursday (4/8) introducing, i.a., the reduction from 12 to
10 of the number of years migrants have to be living in Greecebefore
they can apply for a residence permit. The government supports the
change because the frequent tinkering with immigration laws in the past
resulted in many migrants not having been able to gain resident permits
although they have a genuine connection with Greece. A MP of the
opposition party New Democracy has voiced his concern against the
proposed change and accused the government of preparing a mass
legalization of illegal immigrants in Greece.

(Kathimerini, Vradyni, Demokratia, Adesmeftos Typos, 5 August)


Irregular migrants arrested in northeastern Greece

Police in Rodopi, northeast Greece, arrested 20 irregular migrants (12
Palestinians, an Iraqi and 7 Kuwaitis) and 2 migrant smugglers. Another
11 undocumented migrants were arrested in Feres near Alexandroupolis
also in the northeast.

In a separate incident, police arrested 11 irregular migrants (10
Iraqis and an Iranian) they had been spotted in a rural region in Feres
where they were waiting for a truck to transport them to Athen
s.
Authorities also arrested an Iraqi smuggler while two others managed to
flee.

(Naftemporiki, Makedonia, Angelioforos, 5 August)


Please note that UNHCR bears no responsibility for the accuracy and
content of the press summary, which is based on external news services
and does not necessarily reflect the views of UNHCR.