On 18 July 2017 the Police
carried out an unprovoked and shockingly fierce attack inside the horridly
inhumane detention camp of Moria on Lesvos island, targeting migrants
(primarily of African descent) following a peaceful demonstration against the
containment policy which keeps the majority of asylum seekers detained on the
Greek islands during the lengthy and delayed processing of their asylum
applications.They were also protesting against the horrible living conditions
inMoria Camp. After clashes that had been initiated by the Police had ended,
the police carried out a violent raid, during which a "sweep
operation" took place, leading to the brutal and arbitrary arrest of the
35, as apparent collective punishment. The Police violently and mercilessly
beat anyone that stood in their way resulting in serious injury to numerous
refugees and migrants. Beatings and torture continued even after the arrests of
the 35 that were detained. The sole basis for their arrest seems to be the
colour of their skin as the African community of migrants had clearly been
targeted. The government of Syriza-Anel holds full responsibility for the
excessive police violence and for the seamless collaboration between the State
and non – State actors who act as agents of the State.
8 months after the arrests, 30
of the 35 remain in prison in pre-trial detention, in four separate Greek State
Prisons. The remaining 5 have been released with restrictive measures on Lesvos
island awaiting trial. The serious criminal charges faced by the entire group
are identical.
Recently, their trial date was
set for the 20 April on Chios, rather than Lesvos, adding to the difficulty of
defending the accused 35 migrants. The migrants are completely impoverished and
unable to pay the defense lawyers of their choice let alone the costs of
transportation and accommodation during trial. Furthermore, a number of
witnesses that are currently residing in Moria will be unable to be present as travel
between the two islands is forbidden due to restrictive administrative orders.
In effect, the decision of relocating the trial to Chios instead of Lesvos
infringes upon the very rights to a fair defense of the 35 accused.
Several NGO's that had committed
to the legal defense of the accused during the past months have recently
withdrawn from the case without providing a convincing or valid explanation as
to the reasons of their actions. The motive for this departure could well be
the pressure applied by the governments that currently finance these
organizations.
All of the above provides
evidence that the government remains committed to the motives behind the
EU-TURKEY deal, and wishes to marginalize the 35 accused using them as an
example to make it clear to all involved in solidarity actions, that such
actions will receive zero tolerance.
We publicly condemn and
denounce the actions of the government and all state actors for their
manipulative actions that blatantly violate the right to defense of the accused.
We call upon workers, all
Greek people, and international solidarity activists, in particular the youth
to support and stand in solidarity side by side with the 35 migrants and assist
in defending their democratic rights and freedoms. We wish to clarify, in all
manners of speaking, that we are in fact one with the migrants and we will
continue to fight this righteous struggle against the devaluation of all our
lives.
As the Lesvos Coordination
of Movements of Solidarity to all Refugees and Migrants we support the 35
arrested and demand their release.
·
Common fights of locals and refugees
·
The fabricated allegations that led to the
criminal charges on the 35 should be withdrawn
·
Immediate release of the 35 refugees
·
No conviction of any of the 35
·
No deportation of any of the accused
·
NO to all brutal treatment of
migrants by the EU and the government
·
Protection-Asylum and full rights for all
refugees and migrants
·
Freedom of movement so that they be allowed to
reach the final destinations of their choice-Open the islands
·
Stop all deportations NOW
·
EU-Turkey-Libyan racist agreements
abolishment.
·
To stop wars, interventions, close
NATO bases, Frontex leave Aegean sea,
We support all acts of solidarity towards the 35 refugees/migrants!
The collective demands, the
united front and solidarity, the unyielding and uncompromising struggle will
lead us to victory!
This resolution is an open
call for signatures and public support by all the Associations, groups and
Unions.
Lesvos Coordination of Movements
of Solidarity to all
