STATEMENT*
Pylos shipwreck: Yet another tragedy – consequence of deterrence
policies
Athens, 16
June 2023
Seventy-eight
(78) people dead and more than 500 missing after the shipwreck off the coast of
Pylos are seeking justice against a policy of deterrence that led them to the
bottom of the Mediterranean.
Just a few
days after an agreement was reached at the Council of Ministers of the EU on
the management of migration and asylum, both Frontex and the Greek Coast Guard,
which had the responsibility for coordinating search and rescue, failed to
provide adequate assistance to an unseaworthy vesselcarrying more than 500
people that was in distress for almost a full day, from the time they were
informed, resulting in it sinking and dragging hundreds of people into its
watery grave.
The
shipwreck, however much it is attempted to be attributed to human errors and
unscrupulous smugglers, bears the signature and the stamp of the policies of
the European Union that are implemented with great consistency by the
governments of countries at Europe’s borders, as is particularly the case of
the Greek government.
Multiple
questions arise about the actions of the competent authorities as well as
Frontex itself, which from the very first moment was monitoring the vessel, but
was quick to deny its responsibilities, pointing exclusively to the Hellenic
Search and Rescue Coordination Centre.
Once again it
is sadly necessary to point out that defendingthe principles of the Rule of Law
and Democracy requires first and foremost respect for human life and dignity.
We ask:
·
For an investigation over the
circumstances and causes of the tragedy and for due responsibilities to be
attributed at the level of both the Greek state and the EU.
·
For the establishment of safe and
legal pathways for refugees and migrants to access EU territory.
·
For the EU policy that forces member
states at the external borders to act as deterrents, with the result of often
tragic shipwrecks and pushbacks incidents that lead to the degeneration of the
protection of human life and dignity, to be condemned.
·
For the victims of this tragedy to be
granted asylum and protection.
CO-SIGNATORIES (in alphabetical order)
A Drop in the Ocean / Stagona (www.drapenihavet.no/en)
Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and
Migrants - Greece
(www.sgdd.org.tr)
Association for Solidarity with Asylum
Seekers and Migrants –Turkey (www.sgdd.org.tr)
Association of Conscientious Objectors (https://antirrisies.gr/)
Babel Day Centre (https://babeldc.gr/en/homepage/)
Better Days Greece (https://www.betterdays.ngo/)
Boat Refugee Foundation (https://bootvluchteling.nl/en/)
CEAR (https://www.cear.es/)
Ca-minando Fronteras (Walking Borders) (caminandofronteras.org/en/)
Center for legal aid - Voice in Bulgaria (www.centerforlrgalaid.com)
Citizens Assembly of Turkey (https://hyd.org.tr/en/)
Defence for Children International – Greece (https://www.defenceforchildrengreece.org/)
Diotima
- Centre for Gender Rights & Equality (www.diotima.org.gr)
Equal Rights Beyond Borders (https://equal-rights.org)
EuroMed Rights (https://euromedrights.org/)
Feminist Autonomous Centre for research (FAC) (feministresearch.org)
Fenix - Humanitarian Legal Aid (https://www.fenixaid.org/)
Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) (http://www.gcr.gr)
Greek Forum of Refugees (http://www.refugees.gr)
Greek Helsinki Monitor (https://greekhelsinki.wordpress.com)
Hellenic League for Human Rights (https://www.hlhr.gr)
HIAS Hellas (https://www.hias.org/where/greece)
I Have Rights (www.ihaverights.eu)
Inter Alia (www.interaliaproject.com)
Ivorian Community of Greece (https://www.facebook.com/
KISA - Action for Equality, Support,
Antiracism (https://kisa.org.cy/)
Legal Centre Lesvos (https://legalcentrelesvos.org/)
Lesvos Solidarity [ΑΛΛΗΛΕΓΓΥΗΛΕΣΒΟΥ] (https://lesvossolidarity.org/en/)
NetworkfortheSocialProtection of Refugees &
Migrants (http://migrant.diktio.org)
PICUM (https://picum.org/)
Project Armonia (www.projectarmonia.org)
Refugee Legal Support (RLS) (https://www.refugeelegalsupport.org)
Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) (http://rsaegean.org/el)
Refugees Welcome, Denmark (https://refugeeswelcome.dk)
Safe Passage (https://www.safepassage.org.uk/)
Sans-Papiers Anlaufstelle Zürich SPAZ (www.sans-papiers-zuerich.ch)
SOSRacisme (www.sosracisme.dk)
Terre des hommes Hellas (www.tdh.gr)
THALASSA OF SOLIDARITY (www.thalassa-solidarity.org)
“To Mov” PanhellenicAssociation for
Women’s Rights (http://tomov.gr)
World Without Wars and Violence (https://www.kosmosxorispolemous.gr/)
Yoga and Sport with Refugees (https://www.yogasportwithrefugees.org)
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*The Statement is open for sign-on by email at: kampaniagiatoasylo@gmail.com
