The Silent Humanitarian Crisis in Greece: Devising Strategies to Improve the Situation of Migrants in Greece workshop report Input from Workshop Discussion workshop input Concerns Over the Violation of Migrants’ Human Rights Barriers to Upholding Migrants’ Human Rights • The economic crisis is seen as a justification for the government’s decision to limit the human rights of migrants to seek asylum, live in dignity, not be subject to torture or other degrading treatments, and to freedom of movement. • The development of an anti-human rights culture in Greece. • Lack of cooperation amongst NGOs advocating for migrants’ rights as well as between migrants’ rights NGOs and Greek civil society organisations denouncing racism and the austerity measures. Lazaros Petromelidis, I-Red Institute for Rights, Equality and Diversity (left) Ioannis Mouzalas, Doctors of the World Greece (right) The current situation in Greece raises concerns over the increasing number of undocumented migrants who fall under the Dublin 2 regulation3, the escalating racist violence exerted by the political group “Golden Dawn” which is now represented in the government, and the grave issue of 30,000 regular migrants who are unable to renew their work permits unless they show official papers from their current employer showing they have received ‘stamps’ proving they have been paying taxes and health insurance (IKA)4. The current heavily bureaucratic and dysfunctional migration system is a key barrier preventing migrants in Greece from regularising their status. For example, there are almost 34 different types of residence permits. This system is confusing and un-navigable for migrants and the competent authorities alike who are not well trained on how to process applications and identify the appropriate type of permit. Over the last few years, Greek legislation has increasingly restricted its protections for migrants, exemplifying the prevalent anti-human rights culture. Additionally, the media and politicians, as well as Greek society, have all played a role in constructing a pervasive negative image of migrants which instigates racism and xenophobia. At the moment, the difficulty for NGOs and community organisations to unite and collaborate is a key factor preventing concrete changes and improvement for the rights of migrants. Individual power is not enough when divided in the face of an opponent who is strong and well organized. Regardless of internal differences which are unavoidable as the mission of each respective organisation varies, organisations working to assist migrants, refugees and asylum seekers must agree on specific areas of collaboration and to agree to set common priorities in order to not break their power to pieces. The human rights of Greeks are also being undermined and eroded and thus Greeks and migrants must work together on common issues through a general platform, regardless of whether they can agree on specific details. A shared ideology can be achieved by broadening the scope of issues discussed beyond merely the migration discourse. Pre-existing barriers relate to other vulnerable and excluded groups, such as trade unions, LGBT groups, women’s groups, equality bodies, etc., all of whom could be seen as new allies in a broader action demanding human rights for all. Migration concerns the whole of Europe and not just Greece and therefore it requires a European response 3 4 8 The Dublin II Regulation determines the EU Member State responsible to examine an application for asylum seekers seeking international protection under the Geneva Convention and the EU Qualification Directive, within the European Union. This is an issue for Greece, which as a country located on Europe’s southern border, is the first country of entry for many migrants meaning that it receives a disproportionally high number of asylum applications compared to other European Members states. Greece has been unable to cope with these numbers. Law no 3386/05 on the Entry, Residence and Social Integration of Third-country Nationals in the Hellenic Territory, article 15. Available at: http://www.ypes.gr/en/Generalsecretariat_PopulationSC/Laws/ Participants during parallel workshop session on “Access to basic human rights for all migrants” Recommendations These recommendations were formulated by participants during a parallel workshop session discussing access for all migrants to basic human rights. 1. Strengthen solidarity amongst civil society organisations It is crucial for NGOs and civil society organisations to form networks to combine efforts.5 2. Work at the local level (i.e. within the neighbourhood) There should be a space for migrant communities to discuss common problems to show migrants as active members of a community. 3. Develop education guides Lack of knowledge is a key limiting factor and education plays a role in combatting xenophobia, racism and anti-immigrant feelings. Thus education tools6 must be developed for school curricula, to focus on issues relating to the rights of migrants, promoting diversity, and countering racism and xenophobia. 4. Design a strategy to work with elderly people on a rights-based approach As key upholders of tradition and social values, the elderly must viewed as a key target group in an attempt to change social mentality and promote the rights of all without discrimination. 5 6 Such as the Campaign for the access to asylum in Greece and the Racist Violence Recording Network See International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Not Just Numbers - An Educational Toolkit about Migration and Asylum in Europe (2009) 5. Reiterate the obligation of the government and society to respect human rights The Greek governmental must uphold its obligations to respect the human rights of all, without discrimination, including both regular and irregular migrants. 6. Capacity building Opportunities should be developed to build the capacities of migrant-led organisations in fundraising, advocacy and communications to empower them to take leadership in the process of change. 7. Find solutions for non-removable migrants Residence status should be granted on humanitarian grounds for persons who are unable to access the asylum process or whose asylum application is unsuccessful but who cannot be returned and are therefore left in a legal and social limbo with little opportunity to improve their situation. 8. Foster networking amongst civil society and government Greek NGOs should work together with both European and international organisations and institutions to raise awareness and with the Greek government to seek concrete solutions. 9