MIDEAST-CRISIS/GREECE-REFUGEE PROTEST Syrian refugees stage hunger strike in front of Greek parliament

Record ID: 274687

  • Title: MIDEAST-CRISIS/GREECE-REFUGEE PROTEST Syrian refugees stage hunger strike in front of Greek parliament
  • Date: 24th November 2014
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (NOVEMBER 24, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SYRIAN REFUGEES SITTING IN PROTEST ACROSS FROM GREEK PARLIAMENT WITH LARGE BANNER IN FRONT OF THEM SYRIAN REFUGEE WITH HIS SYRIAN PASSPORT IN HIS MOUTH, HOLDING SLEEPING BABY VARIOUS OF PASSPORT, BABY IN HIS ARMS VARIOUS OF ANOTHER SYRIAN REFUGEE WITH HIS PASSPORT TAPED TO HIS MOUTH (SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRIAN REFUGE
  • Embargoed: 9th December 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAENHAPAYGYW270L248HB86A9TJ
  • Story Text: More than 150 Syrian refugees, including women with children, began a hunger strike outside Greece's parliament on Monday (November 24) requesting asylum from the Greek government.
    Many of the refugees taped their mouths shut and attached their Syrian passports to their sealed mouths as part of the hunger strike.
    The Syrian migrants have been camping out in protest in front of parliament for four days, and said they do not have adequate shelter and food in Greece.
    Most paid illegal smugglers several thousand euros to reach Greece, and have also fallen prey to local mafia in their search to find accommodation.
    "My money is almost finished, and we all here have to deal with the mafia. We don't have legal papers, we can't rent a house, we can't do anything, so we have to deal with the mafia, and have to pay at least, for one person, in one bed, for one month, one hundred euros," said 22-year-old Ammar, who did not wish to give his last name.
    He was forced to leave his hometown of Aleppo after his father was killed and his brother jailed. He sold the family home to pay 4,000 euros (US 4,970 dollars) to reach Athens by boat from Turkey. He also attempted to enter Italy and Montenegro illegally, but failed both times.
    He said the protesters were on hunger strike in order to get the attention of the Greek government.
    "I don't know if they will pay attention or not, but we are hoping, you know, that's our last hope, our last chance. Really, we don't know what to do, they want us to be homeless here, they don't have enough food or, I don't know, really. We are trying anybody, if the Greek government don't want to help us, the European Union have to do something for us," Ammar said.
    The Syrian protesters are asking for a swifter asylum process in Greece, and also want to be allowed to apply for asylum in another EU countries, as they know it will be difficult to build a new life in a country where Greek citizens themselves face economic hardship.
    Meanwhile, 25-year-old Najwah fled Damascus with her newborn after her husband was killed.
    "The only countries that support you so that you can be comfortable, give you a salary and give you accommodation, are the European countries," she said.
    In recent years Greece has been swamped with an increasing number of illegal migrants from conflict zones, primarily Syria.
    In 2012, more than 3,000 migrants were apprehended at the country's sea borders. In 2014 this figure reached more than 17,000 - more than 50 percent were from Syria.
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