many refugees have decided to put an end to their suffering in exile by signing up forIntro “voluntary” return, despite the perilous situation in their home countries. Many of these people belong to highly vulnerable groups which cannot find adequate assistance if they return to war and conflict. Among them is the family of S.M., his 9month pregnant wife and their two children. Colleagues of the Refugee Support Program in the Aegean (RSPA) met them in Athens by the IOM offices, as well as the family of F.M. and N. from Afghanistan3 with their 2-year-old child. Back home in Afghanistan they had received death threats by the Taliban, forcing them out of the country. “We have been in Elliniko Olympic Arrivals Camp for two months. There are 1,500 people in one space. There are six toilets and not enough showers. Many people want to go back. My children contracted breathing problems in the camp. I broke my hand on the stairs. 15 days ago we decided to return. If we stay here, we will be killed slowly and we will die many times over. If we go back to Afghanistan, we will be killed quickly, without suffering. In Ghazni, the Taliban said they’d kill me because I had worked in a leading position for the government and I helped save the life of a person fated to death by the Taliban. But we can’t continue this life here. Some people have been waiting for over a month to go back. I am afraid to return, but we don’t have any other dignified choice.” According to the IOM4, “after the EU-Turkey agreement, certain nationalities have indeed increased their interest in returning to their home country. Monthly registration and return data for the currently implemented Assisted Voluntary Return programme clearly demonstrate the effect of the current situation at the borders. In January, we had close to zero departures by Afghanis and Iraqis, but in April Afghanis are the main nationals returning to their country of origin, followed by Iraqis […]” Picture 1: Syrians in Ritsona camp were six days on hunger strike for their right to access asylum procedures and relocation. Copyright © Salinia Stroux On May 16th refugees in Schisto emergency reception site started a three-day hunger strike protesting against the closure of the border to Macedonia, the inaccessibility of the Asylum Service and the devastating conditions in the tent camp. They described the camp to be “worse than a prison”. Also in Ritsona camp a dozen of refugees from Syria mainly held a six-days hunger strike as they were not able to gain access to the relocation procedure. “My wife is pregnant and we live among snakes and scorpions,” M. from Syria told PRO ASYL. Refugees residing in provisory camps                                                                                                                 3 4   Interviewed on April 28, 2016 in Athens, Greece. Written answer, April 27, 2016. 3