Tag: Greece
UNICEF urges support for children, as wildfires rage across Greece
Fuelled by record temperatures and high winds, the deadly fires that began across the country in July have so far claimed 27 lives, including two children – both asylum seekers, according to news reports. They were among 18 bodies discovered by Greek authorities on 22 August in the national forest of Dadia, in the northeast,…
Read MoreGreece: Rights experts condemn ‘racist violence’ against asylum-seekers
That’s the message from the group of eight experts, including Ashwini K.P., the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, who urged Greece on Wednesday to investigate alleged violations against asylum-seekers. They said that they were “particularly concerned” by the failure of the country’s security personnel and coast guard to provide “prompt and effective” assistance…
Read MoreDuring visit to Greece, UN official calls for enhanced refugee protection
During the visit, Ms. Triggs mentioned that one of the worst shipwrecks in the Mediterranean happened just over a month ago. Protecting refugee rights “The Pylos tragedy and the other devastating tragedies in the Mediterranean underscore the primacy of saving lives and protecting the rights of people forced to flee. This was my message to…
Read MoreGreece in spotlight over trial of activists, volunteers who rescued migrants
The hearing involving 24 volunteers and activists began on Tuesday on the Greek island of Lesvos, prompting OHCHR to warn of the “chilling effect” that it has had on other rights defenders, who’ve now halted their work in Greece and other European Union countries. Those on trial were all associated with Emergency Response Centre International, or ERCI;…
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