Support Striking Asylum Seekers in Greece

25 November 2002

Eight Iranian asylum seekers entering Greece were arrested by the police and imprisoned. In protest to their arrest and mistreatment, the imprisoned asylum seekers have been on hunger strike for the past 9 days. In a telephone conversation with the International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR), one of the arrested asylum seekers described the conditions of two of those on hunger strike as extremely critical and confirmed that the authorities had not made any attempt to transfer them to hospital. The eight are currently in 'Kordolo' prison.

According to recent Greek regulation, asylum seekers entering Greece illegally will be subject to arrest, imprisonment and fine, despite the fact that most asylum seekers are forced to flee persecution without proper documents. Those unable to pay the fine are to remain in prison until deported to their countries of origin. Imprisoning and fining asylum seekers are a travesty of justice and a violation of the rights of asylum seekers. These new regulations in Greece only serve to humiliate and swindle asylum seekers and deny them access to determination procedures.

IFIR calls on all groups and individuals to protest against Greek policy and defend the right to asylum of the eight and others. Write to the government of Greece and the UNHCR demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the eight as well as all asylum seekers from prison, their immediate transfer to hospital, recognition of their right to asylum and an end to anti-asylum legislation. Please send your letters to the following addresses: Greek prime minister: mail@primeminister.gr; Greek commission to the United Nations: Mission.Greece@itu.ch; UNHCR office in Greece: great@unhcr.ch.