On April 5, the European Court of Human Rights handed down a negative judgement on claims regarding the alleged pushback of approximately 1,500 asylum seekers into Greece via North Macedonia in 2016. ECHR acknowledged their violent persecution, but believed the applicants could have applied for asylum by other legal means ― although there weren’t any.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Greek government ministers and MPs have spread false claims about refugees and international law. While experts, the UNHCR, and EU data refute their claims and more allegations are reported regarding Greece’s illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers.
Greek minister of Migration Notis Mitarachi invokes international law to distinguish “real” from “non-real” refugees. The UNHCR’s response to Solomon refutes his allegations.
In Athens, refugees pay to live in small apartments which accommodate up to 22 people. They often fall victim to exploitation by their compatriots. But sometimes the masafarhánas offer them the forgotten feeling of home.
Last November, it was revealed that citizens, including a Solomon journalist, were under surveillance by the Greek National Intelligence Agency (EYP) – calling into question the legality of such actions. Now, by filing a legal complaint against EYP with the country’s highest court, we call for authorities to investigate the possibility that criminal offences may have been committed by officials of an agency which appears to operate without any accountability.
Solomon’s “The food we eat” online discussions host exceptional journalistic works from around the world and contribute to the understanding of how our food systems cause global problems such as displacement and ecological collapse.
