We need to stop all state crimes against movement and human life
One of the most lethal shipwrecks with refugees and migrants across the Mediterranean See is in
progress as of the break of day on Wednesday of the coast of Pylos, in southern Greece. Up to now
78 deaths have been confirmed, 104 people have been rescued, while the number of missing persons
remains unknown. According to the statement of the rescued people, there were 750 people on board
the fishing vessel.
The vessel was located for the first time late at night on Tuesday by Frontex in international waters
approximately 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Pylos. The Watch The Med – Alarmphone was
warning since Tuesday afternoon about the emergency condition of the vessel. A boat of the Greek
port authorities approached the vessel heading to Italy. Few hours later she overturned and sank. She
had left the port of Tobruk Libya, south of Crete, and the majority of passengers were young men of
around 20 years old, mostly from Egypt, Syria and Pakistan. As a result of the pushbacks in the
Aegean See, the violence at the borders (beatings, torture and robberies by state officials and
parastatal individuals), the closed detention centres, and the Evros barrier fence along the border with
Turkey, an increasing number of vessels risks a longer and by far more dangerous journey to Italy
avoiding Greece.
We will not cease to condemn the crimes committed by the Greek state when it comes to refugees
and migrants lives as well as the death politics enforced at the borders. Fleeing and migrating are
penalised and punished with detention in closed centres, cheap and undervalued labour, social racism
and discriminations in the labour market, denial of social and political rights, as well as the everyday
violence of poverty and insecurity. The crimes of the Greek state have been revealed in international
media and it has been convicted by international courts of law for some of them. Yet, crimes are still
being committed.
Freedom of movement for refuges and migrants
Equal rights for all
Solidarity with the struggles for life of refugees and migrants
Gathering Thursday 15/06 at 19.00 at AGORA Chania
Rosa Nera Squat
