Coordination
for the Refugee and Immigrant Support Movement of Lesvos
Press Release
The number of
the hunger strikers increases as we speak at Sappho Square The refugees who
have been residing in protest on Sappho Square are escalating their fight, as
the 10th day of their protest is coming to a close. Yesterday, on Sunday, 2
more protesters joined the initial 4 in their hunger strike, one of them even
refusing to drink. The names of the initial hunger strikers are Reza Haidari,
Armin Henareh, Shirzad Ahmadian, Hsam Shaerihsari while the ones who recently
joined are Eskenderi Ardishir and Mazid Poursharif the latter being the one who
refuses to drink as well. In their statement the refugees have demanded that a
4 day deadline is the latest date that the authorities are allowed to strive to
meet their demands. If that is not met, the women on the square are determined
to join the hunger strike. Their fight which is taking place under worsening
weather conditions only demonstrates their despair in regard to the living
conditions in Moria detention center but also their dedication to continue this
fight for life and freedom until final vindication. The struggle of the
refugees of Sappho Square that demand to be allowed to continue their journey
to the continental Europe and to be deemed worthy of refugee status, is in
agreement with the demand of the local people of Lesvos that wish to see the
hellish detention of Moria shut, so that Lesvos is no longer a vast prison
while they also wish to see the cancelling of the inhumane EE-Turkey agreement
and ultimately to see all anti-refugee policies presently implemented by the EU
and the Greek government annulled and upturned.
Mytilini, October 30th 2017