Posts Tagged “Greece”

European Asylum Conference declaration

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European Asylum Conference declaration

150 asylum experts from churches and civil society last week issued a declaration calling on an end to the EU asylum regime of hotspots and the establishment of ways of safe passage into Europe. The 15th European Asylum Conference began on Chios, an Aegean island, where the delegates were “shocked to observe … the undignified…

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Increased numbers of refugees arriving at Greek land borders and islands

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Increased numbers of refugees arriving at Greek land borders and islands

The Greek Reporter news agency reports that the Greek Government’s Minister for Migration has expressed “deep concern” over the increasing trend of refugee and migrant flows to the country in recent weeks. “The increasing flows in the islands do not scare me because we know what to do. It is really troubling, however, to see…

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“Children never asked for this – that’s my motivation, simple”

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“Children never asked for this – that’s my motivation, simple”

Some years ago Joby Fox lost his own young daughter to cancer. The media images of the crisis unfolding in the Mediterranean deeply moved him. “Children never asked for this – that’s my motivation, simple.” The Northern Ireland singer/songwriter flew to the Greek island of Lesbos in the winter of 2015. Leaving his wife and…

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Greek PM asked to end island containment policy

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Greek PM asked to end island containment policy

In an open letter, nineteen aid organisations and human rights groups have called on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to end the “containment policy” which traps asylum seekers on the islands and “to immediately transfer asylum seekers to the mainland and meet their protection needs.” The groups include ActionAid, Amnesty International, Care, Danish Refugee Council, Human…

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UNHCR report on Desperate Journeys

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UNHCR report on Desperate Journeys

Movement has continued but taken more diversified and dangerous journeys after increased border restrictions were introduced in 2016 aimed at restricting refugee and migrant movements towards and inside Europe. This is the conclusion of the Desperate Journeys report (full PDF) published by the UN’s Refugee Agency, UNHRCR. “The lack of accessible and safe pathways leads…

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Faith leaders: shame of freezing refugees in Europe

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Faith leaders: shame of freezing refugees in Europe

“News that refugees have started freezing to death should shame us in 21st-century Europe.” That’s a sobering statement from a letter in today’s Daily Telegraph that has been signed by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and other Christian and Jewish faith leaders. There have been reports throughout January highlighting the tented camps in Greece…

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The Suppliant Women: Mesmerising ancient theatre with a modern message

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The Suppliant Women: Mesmerising ancient theatre with a modern message

The Suppliant Women reinvigorates a 2,500 year old piece of theatre from the pen of Aeschylus which still has a poignant message to society today. David Grieg adapted a literal translation of the 463BC Greek play The Suppliants (the first of an otherwise nearly totally lost trilogy) which tells the story of The Danaids, the…

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Sharp rise in number of refugees stranded in Greece, sea rescues continue

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Sharp rise in number of refugees stranded in Greece, sea rescues continue

Refugees continue to arrive in Europe by sea and land routes. IOM estimate that by 21 September, a total of 317,228 migrants and refugees have arrived in Europe since the start of 2016. While stories of rescue at sea can no longer be found leading TV news bulletins or dominating newspaper front pages, out of the…

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To the churches in Greece: Grace to you and peace

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To the churches in Greece: Grace to you and peace

Upon their return from visiting refugees and refugee projects in Greece at the end of May, the twelve women who participated in the delegation have written to the churches in Greece to offer their reflection and encouragement. The letter can be downloaded as a PDF and is also reproduced below. They also wrote a corresponding letter to the member…

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The Compass – Destination Europe (BBC World Service)

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The Compass – Destination Europe (BBC World Service)

Five episodes of BBC World Service’s The Compass programme are examining the long-term impact of the world migration crisis. The first two programmes in the series are available to listen to on demand. Turkey – the lost generation Greece – the warehouse of souls One of the sites in the second programme will be familiar to readers…

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