Help staff are notably involved for these fleeing international locations aside from Ukraine after a four-year-old Syrian boy died.
Athens, Greece – As Ukrainian refugees are bussed into Greece to obtain a heat welcome by authorities, help staff and asylum seekers have described to Al Jazeera a far bleaker surroundings for these looking for shelter having crossed Turkish borders.
They are saying individuals from different nations are primarily being handled as second-class refugees, and their issues soared after the mid-March loss of life of a four-year-old Syrian boy, following an alleged pushback.
In that incident, a gaggle of 30 Syrians have been caught on an island within the Evros river between Turkey and Greece for 5 days in plummeting temperatures.
The group stated that they had been pushed again to this island by Greek authorities. Throughout this time, the four-year-old drowned within the river.
They have been ultimately rescued by Greek authorities on March 16 after intensive protection in Greek newspaper Efimerida ton Syntakton and a authorized intervention by Greece-based rights group Human Rights 360.
“We're very blissful for the rescue of the 30 Syrian refugees which were confined on an islet of Evros’ river on the Greek Turkish land border,” stated Epaminondas Farmakis, co-founder and director of HumanRights360.
“The refugees, together with two pregnant girls and 7 minor youngsters, didn't have entry to the mandatory means for his or her survival. They didn't have entry to water, meals, medical care, or any means to maintain heat, and so they have been uncovered to the chilly and humidity on the small islet within the Evros’ river for six days and nights,” he stated.
“On account of their unlawful pushback, they reported the tragic drowning of the four-year-old – a son of one of many refugees.”
Farmakis stated that that they had managed to problem an interim measure by way of the European Court docket of Human Rights, the primary time it has been issued within the Evros space.
“This time there was time for the courtroom to behave. Most often of unlawful pushback, estimated at 12,000 individuals final yr, there is no such thing as a time to react. Many lose their lives, and their rights are violated. We name on the Greek authorities to cease this unlawful follow.”
Al Jazeera contacted Greek authorities for remark, however on the time of publishing had not obtained any response.
Joe Esquire (not his actual identify), 35, and initially from Congo, stated he has observed a extra pleasant welcome being placed on for Ukrainians.
“There's a actuality that we discover unjust and unjustified, and that's the truth of straight granting asylum papers or residence paperwork to Ukrainian nationals as quickly as they arrive, with none software process,” he advised Al Jazeera.
“All of us escape the hazards of mistreatment and wars in our respective international locations. That is the reason for our refuge in Europe … to all profit from worldwide safety.”
Describing his EU-funded camp on the Greek island of Samos, he stated, “This camp seems like a jail, particularly since we're topic to checks always. We don't get pleasure from all of our freedom.”
Esquire stated that the safety of Ukrainian refugees was vital however questioned why the identical procedures didn't apply to all asylum seekers.
Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi has repeatedly known as Ukrainians “actual” refugees, whereas asylum seekers from different international locations on the Greek mainland are prevented from claiming asylum.
A legislative change final yr decreased the power of refugees on the mainland to register an asylum declare.
Now, they both should show a vulnerability, attend an asylum workplace with a police notice saying their paperwork are verified – which in line with these engaged on the bottom is a discretionary course of, or go to the Flyakio Reception and Identification Centre situated within the Evros area of northern Greece.
NGOs corresponding to Cell Information Crew, in Thessaloniki, stated this has restricted the capability of asylum seekers to register a declare.
In latest weeks, Greek police have additionally been finishing up a so-called “sweep”, or roundup, in central Athens.
Authorised as an operation to focus on petty crime and drug sellers, officers stated greater than 2,500 individuals have been “inspected”, 600 non-nationals have been “detailed”, and 44 arrests have been made.
It was reported that, in the identical operation, 125 individuals with out papers have been taken to the Amygdaleza detention centre.
A number of observers advised Al Jazeera that they imagine the operation primarily focused individuals of color.
“The Greek police’s present operation is each racist and illegal,” stated Lucy Alper, authorized coordinator from Refugee Authorized Help.
“Systemic failures and obstacles throughout the Greek asylum system trigger many individuals to be undocumented. It's tougher than ever to register claims for asylum on mainland Greece, but now police arrest individuals for not being registered.
“Folks imprisoned in detention centres face poor situations and little or no entry to authorized help. Correct entry to asylum procedures and authorized help is urgently required, not racial profiling and detention.”
Like in Greece, authorities in Poland have additionally been accused of welcoming Ukrainian refugees with open arms whereas attempting to repel these from the Center East, Asia and Africa.
On the similar time, rights teams have lengthy criticised Greece for what they view as criminalising humanitarian work, creating authorized circumstances on trumped-up costs.
One of the vital notable circumstances includes NGO staff Sean Binder and Syrian refugee Sara Mardini who have been arrested on Lesbos in 2018 and are nonetheless to see their day in courtroom.
Knut Bry, a celebrated Norwegian photographer who has volunteered extensively with NGO Lesvos Solidarity on Lesbos, is the newest humanitarian employee and journalist in a rising listing to be arrested.
Bry appeared in courtroom on March 21 accused of espionage after reportedly taking images in Mytilene port, the place navy vessels are stationed, usually subsequent to fishing boats.
He was launched on a 4,000-euro ($4,400) bail. The investigation is constant.
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