Faces of Europe – Horgos

Tags

Balkans, exilés, Hungary, refugees, Serbia

Following of Céline Barré’s chronicle on the road of the exiles in the Balkans.

 

Horgos. Hungarian border – September 18.

https://goo.gl/maps/ed85398TsUq

3000 people stranded at the border. A wall, barbed wire, Hungarian policemen and a European flag flying away. It’s hot and there is only one water point for 3000 people. People sit in front of the barbed wire barriers, the crowd chants “We love Hungaria, we love hungarian police”, “we want to go to germany“, “we want freedom”.

Syrian children naively repeat “open the door, open the door.”

These people want only pass through Hungary, they do not want to stay there, just continue with their journey.

Tension rises. On the Hungarian side, they bring a water tank, a kind of karcher at very high pressure. The families hope to pass while they have their bags on the back and the kids in their arms. A group of 10 people gets excited and finally opens the first barrier. A cry of joy, hope, but lasts the time of a few seconds. Hungarian police charges, gas the crowd.

Near me, a family with a baby of six months is gassed. The baby suffocates, the mother panics. The crowd turns back and many children fall to the ground, are trampled. Police continue to gas.

The tear gas burns the eyes, throat, lungs. The gas pricks the skin, becomes embedded in clothing. It takes more than 10 minutes to restore normal breathing. Some vomit, cry a lot. Mothers yell their rage. Some young people decide to throw apples, stones at the security forces. Hungarians respond with their karchers. The pressure is such that for an hour, it’s chaos.

The rage, fatigue, injustice, it creates the rebellion and violence. Who does not revolt when good little soldiers gas children? On the Serbian side, police officers smoke cigarettes, laugh at the situation, passively watching people running, children crying …. what happens here, it‘s not their problem.

The tension goes down, young people gather again at the gate and back to their peace slogans. “We just want peace.” The boys are recovering slowly from the effects of gas but the fear is there.ak In front of them, barbed wire and hundreds of police.

A few minutes later, a rumor bre out, they opened the border. We hear the applause. The crowd reform and people return to the Hungarian side. The border seems open. Mothers take their children under the arms and go again on the way.

“Thank you, good luck and see you in Francia” says one father. It seems to be a trap, but they move forward.

Then screams, again gas, water at high pressure. People turn around, gassed again. Children screaming, babies do not even have reactions. Police charges.

It was a joke.

People have been able to advance 30 meters in Hungary and the police charged, gassed, bludgeoned, sprayed. Journalist tearful comes back from “the front”; she made bludgeoned by the police. The air is unbreathable several meters. A mother screams her anger and powerlessness towards the police, her 8 year old daughter follows her, they are gassed again. It is also that “Refugees Welcome“.

A camp settles a few meters from the border, bringing together 3,000 people. Others will arrive tomorrow. No water, no electricity, no toilets, no food. Nothing. We are in a Serbian meadow on the Hungarian border. Almost no humanitarian assistance and 3 UNHCR people lost.

A queue forms at the only water source. Fathers wash clothes of their children, remove the tear gas from their clothes otherwise they risk allergies, burns and respiratory problems.

Two trucks bring food, that is to say bread. No organization for distribution so that’s the rush. They throw bread to people as they throw the cattle food.

Welcome to Europe, this is our way of making you understand our level of consideration to you and your families. We gaze you then throw you bread.

Two empty buses arrive on the spot to deter refugees to stay here at the border. There is a refugee camp a few tens of kilometers. A nice inclosure just for you! You will have some food and a blanket in addition! Think to your children, do not stay there … and then anyway your journey is over, it stops there. You see, this is Serbia! And remember … If you attempt any resistance … we will start to gas your kids again. So silently now, get on the bus and go to camp!

 

Faces of Europe – at the Serbian – Hungarian border

Tags

Balkans, exilés, Hungary, refugees, Serbia

Following of Céline Barré’s chronicle on the road of the exiles in the Balkans.

 

Border between Serbia and Hungary – September 16

https://goo.gl/maps/ed85398TsUq

« We don’t want you here, understand ? »

This is what we hear arriving in Subotica, a town at the Serbian-Hungarian border. We go out at the bus station to take a match for Horgos, last town before Hungary. An agent informs us that we can take the 3 pm bus but that refugees must wait for the 6 pm bus. What for ? Because the 3 pm bus  is reserved for our children and for Europeans. The refugees must wait. We go then to the desk to buy a ticket. The saleswoman tells us that the 3 pm bus is full, we have to wait that of 6 pm, we risk to say that we are not refugees: she apologizes, we can take the 3 pm bus. We will take the 6 pm, like everyone else. That of 3 pm left almost empty, only filled with Serbians and Europeans. The 6 pm bus takes more than 100 people including children and old people sitting on the ground.

We call a hotel for tonight: 1st question: “Are you Syrians? Refugees? “. “No, europeans. Why? “” Because Europeans, Yes. Refugees, no”. Should we impose yellow stars to better identify these refugees? This makes echo the history classes in high school, those that explained to us how we were able to reject categories of persons. Racism, xenophobia, segregation. These words are frightening, they are taboo but I have this agonizing feeling that they are valid. More in Europe we go up, the more pressure is felt.

“We do not want you here“; this sentence was pronounced by the officer from the station, towards someone asking where he could buy his bus ticket. Embarrassed, he is not angry, he’s just gone, silent. Witnessing this scene did not make me react either. No reaction. The disgust and passivity take precedence over anger.

The border between Serbia and Hungary closed yesterday evening. The last “luckies” were able to cross the border. To those with whom we were in the bus, the journey ends here, at Horgos. The bus stops us at the crossing of a railway. A sign: “Border 3 km. Border Will Be closed at midnight“. It was a warning message dated yesterday. Today is too late. Families do not know where to go. They still have to try. They will have to walk 3 km to reach the border. Closed. Barbed wire walls, security forces stationed on the other side. The course ends. A mother with her two sons asks me “Border closed? “. “Yes.” She collapses.

There are also these three little girls 3 years old triplets who play just outside the barbed wire fence, the grandmother who arrives in a wheelchair, this teenager who is missing a leg. More than a week of walking, fatigue, fear, violence, hunger to get here, to Horgos, a sort of no man’s land grid. No water, no food. They eat when the kids? They sleep where? Here, it seems to be the concern of no one. You can only have a feeling of shame towards this Europe without mercy. Some say they must go to Croatia which is several hundred kilometers far but the Serbians control, arrest and expel to Macedonia. Hungary has strengthened its police force, installed the army. Serbian newspapers speak of “100,000 clandestines stranded in the country including terrorists.” The anti-migrant propaganda is here and Europe offers it a beautiful field of emancipation.

Night falls and the triplets will sleep outside, and that in the largest European indifference. Serbian Minister urged the Hungarian government to reverse its decision of stopping the entrances and demand to let go “at least women and children.” Ah, finally some humanity! Fathers? Let them defend their country instead of wanting to protect their kids!

It reigns here a war atmosphere without understanding who the enemy is.

 

Faces of Europe – from Athens to Belgrade

Tags

Balkans, exilés, Greece, Macedonia, refugees, Serbia

Following of Céline Barré’s chronicle on the road of the exiles in the Balkans.

 

From Athens to Belgrade – September 14

https://goo.gl/maps/aCtJVd6CfsG2

Ana

28 people including 11 children and four babies dead drowned at sea between Turkey and Greece last Sunday, September 13. A 14 year old teenager killed by a stray bullet after attempts by Greek coast guards to sink a ship. 3 missing children. How many more kids have to die in order we recognize that the borders kill? The maritime border makes a selection before letting people in Europe. The more adventurous will arrive, those who have the less damaged boat, those who will not face the Turkish and Greek coast guards and some of them who contribute to sink the boats.

Impossible? Lie? It is however what refugees are telling. A young Iraqi boxer testifies that the boat was carrying 43 people including him and his girlfriend. The Turkish coast guards are close to their boat and revolve around it. This created waves, waves filled the boat. The boat is sinking. The 43 people aboard panic, parents show their children to beg coast guard to stop their game but it does not work. Children in a boat sinking? Too common, we have already seen it too many times. The boat is sinking more and more so you have to bail out, throw the bags in water. They loose money, mobiles, blankets, pictures. Matter of survival. This boat will arrive safely, that is to say, fail on a beach in Lesbos. These testimonies, we can hear them every day, but until when will we be able to be helpless witnesses of this?

Crossings of land borders are not simple. We joined the Greek-Macedonian border in a taxi with the Syrian father and his son. They wanted to take a break in Athens for sleeping, washing and digest the experience of Lesbos, but no time, you have to hurry. Hungary is about to finish the construction of the wall, after that it will not be possible to go through that road. The taxi takes us to the countryside, near a disused railway station. On site, many hundreds of people must be divided into groups of 50 and sometimes wait several hours before they cross the border. This border is a 3 to 4 km moor they will have to cross as quickly as possible and under the control of the authorities of both countries. We were not allowed to follow Hussein and his father. For us, “not refugees,” we have to take the legal path, the one that starts with “Your passport please” and ends with “Thank you and welcome to Macedonia.” It’s good to be European.

Before leaving, the father of Hussein asked the English translation of “hyper-tension”, “diabetes”, in case he weakens on the road.

We try to find Hussein in Macedonia but they decided to continue the road, taking a night bus to Serbia. They still have not slept since Lesbos.

At the border between Macedonia and Serbia, refugees must register with the authorities. They deliver a document authorizing them to remain in the country for 72 hours or risk expulsion or imprisonment. Arrived in Macedonia, we have not been allowed to take the same bus as refugees. These are buses specially dedicated for them. The price is more expensive for them. Bus companies and taxis feast on. We cross then Macedonia to join the border with Serbia. On the road, we learn that Macedonia plans to build a wall on the Greek border to “block the influx of refugees.” They will go where these people? Again, people are parked in the countryside and when the police allows them to pass, they must act quickly. Take your kids under your arm and walk as fast as possible!

We finally arrive to take a “common” bus to Belgrade. We pay the same fare “special Refugees“. In this bus, kids and pregnant women. Ana is 24 years old, accompanied by her father, her brother and her son Walid, 2 years old. Her husband is stuck in Turkey. Ana is 7 months pregnant, she hopes to arrive soon in Germany, she feels tired. When the bus stops in Belgrade, it is 11 p.m. and Walid feels cold. More than 500 people have laid in their tents in the park beside the station. As soon as we leave, touts offer taxis to 300 euros to get people at the border, located 1 hour drive. “Good price … border will be closed tomorrow.” Some taxis bring people 100 km from the border telling people they are in Germany.

It is here in Belgrade that the rumor is confirmed, Hungary is currently completing the construction of its wall and announced that its border will be fully closed this Monday, September 14th late afternoon. Well, we are. We welcome a certain quota, we communicate on European generosity, then we close. And if they fail to pass before the end of the afternoon, we tell what to Ana and her two years kid? We apologize Ana … we warned, we only take a limited number of person … you’re pregnant? Your daughter will be a good Serbian or a good Macedonian.

Go Ana, forget your contractions, pays 300 euros taxi and tryi your chance, there is still a few hours for you to cross the Hungarian border!

 

Faces of Europe – Lesbos – Athens

Tags

Balkans, exilés, Greece, refugees

Following of Céline Barré’s chronicle on the road of the exiles in the Balkans.

 

Lesbos – Athens 22h – September 13

https://goo.gl/maps/G7MsN5Dv2u92

Faces relieved, soothed. These faces have left the island and the painful memory of crossing the “death sea”. This time they are in a boat, a real one, not the one that inflates, not the one who drowns us in a freezing sea, not that we pay 1200 euros to risk life in the name of freedom. This boat brings us to mainland Europe. Some had to wait more than 10 days to leave the island, waiting for their “permission” to leave the island. “The liberty paper” … I‘m not quite sure.

Their faces seem so relieved that concerned. The face of women especially mothers. Those who will carry their children to move through 2000 km. Televisions on the boat show reports on “the waves of migrants” blocked at the borders, violent police officers, the kids crying. The faces tense up, the journey is just beginning. I share this anxiety, I would warn them that this Europe hurts, this Europe is repressive, violent, merciless. I would tell them about Calais, these people who are herded into camps outside the cities, the police, the asylum procedure, which sometimes lasts for two years, the risk of expulsion, the detention centers, intimidations. I would tell them to be prepared, they need to remain on guard. But I do not dare. On the quay of the port, we meet a Syrian father of 59, he was a French teacher in Damascus, he lived 3 years in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1999. He said he had come with dignity, with a visa. He said he has nothing more to expect from life, he has already been taken everything from him, but he came with and for his son. He wants him to start again his studies, him to go to the University of Montpellier to become a pharmacist. He corrects me on my grammar, told me I could use the simple past more fluently. I keep quite and I rephrase my sentence, it amuses him. This father makes me think of my own, what he would do if we were at war? Is what he decides to cross the sea on an inflatable boat with 62 other people at risk that I drown? Would he decide for me to travel 2000 km on foot in order to register for university? This father is diabetic, he still has two months of injections, he feels weak, tired. He asks me if I’ve seen a tramp … then he smiles at me and tell me that this tramp is in front of me. The tramp, that’s him. For me, I see only one father. Hussein, his teenage son, wants to go to France, his father decided otherwise, they will go to Sweden and when he is old enough to go to university, he will go to Montpellier, the most famous. They will go to Sweden because there, he can bring the rest of his children more quickly than if he would decide to settle in France. How could my father choose between his children? This idea anguish me, to separate with my brothers, my mother. How it comes to that? It’s simple. Fleeing his country is perhaps not the main difficulty, arriving in France or Germany is an obstacle course. I think back to the images of refugees who are applauded the station. These images comfort me as they create a real discomfort. These people who arrive in these stations have sometimes left their wives and kids at home because they had no choice. No visa. Leaving as soon as possible, to arrive as quickly as possible, get papers as soon as possible and bring the family as soon as possible. The Syrian father paid 2,400 euros to cross a sea of 10 km that separates Turkey from the Greek island of Lesbos, whereas if I want to go for a ride in Turkey, it’s an hour ride to only 10 euros. Me European, I pay 10 euros to Turkey while he will pay 2400 euros to come to Lesbos. He can actually be applauded in a railway station but he certainly has other concerns and would prefer to legally arrive at Charles De Gaulle Terminal 1 with all his family and on the most anonymous way possible. Borders and those who control them are decimating families.

 

Faces of Europe – Lesbos 3

Tags

Balkans, exilés, Greece, refugees

Following of Céline Barré’s chronicle on the road of the exiles in the Balkans.

 

Lesbos – September 9.

https://goo.gl/maps/j9HjMFESLC42

“I can see your passport? “

Surprise for the first time this journey, it is a taxi driver who asks for my passport. He apologizes to ask us for this but “you understand the police forbade us to take refugees in our taxis … otherwise you must pay a fine.” My English is rough, I ask him to repeat, hoping to have misunderstood.

«Europeans Yes, Refugees No ».

Ok then it is clear. In an attempt to justify himself, he said he is left side, it is unbearable to him they prohibit him to carry women and children, Syrian, Iraqi, Afghan, the “non-European“. A few days earlier a mother handed him her baby, asking to get them in town. He could not, “police problem”. My European status makes me nauseous.

On the road, families walk on the opposit direction to regain the city, the port. To get out of here as soon as possible. Fathers, children try to stop taxis, showing their wallet and the famous “recording paper” document issued by the Greek authorities allowing them to travel but forbidding them to stay in Athens, Patras, Thessaloniki, Nikea and all other Greek cities. Freedom of movement? No. Here they are in “transfer”. Prohibition to stay, they are just passing through! We accept that they fail on Greek beaches, but they must be identified as soon as possible. And the road is long, do not hang out here!

We plunge in the countryside where there is a refugee camp called “Moria“. We are entering a area monitored by the Greek police. On site, large prefabricated surrounded by barbed wire fences. All around, tents, tarpaulins, shelters and some kids that make it even a more terrifying landscape. It reminds me of Calais, my nausea intensifies. The driver looks at me embarrassed: “Welcome to Europe”. The camp is almost empty; Yesterday thousands of people were recorded, sorted and transferred to Athens.

Sort is the term. Only the Syrian, some Iraqis, but Afghans wait. The Africans ? They only had to go through Lampedusa!

I understand then that sorting, selecting eligible to Europe individuals starts here, on this island. But how to tell the difference between an Afghan child, an Iraqi child and a Syrian child who nevertheless were on the same boat?

Abdel Aziz, Syrian boy met yesterday, future doctor footballer was born in the right place, had the good war, he will be a good refugee. His Afghan friend of the same age who fled Taliban terror, will wait here any longer, in this camp, under its barbed wire. After all … The war in Afghanistan … it goes way back … Welcome to Europe Afghan little man!

We meet the mayor of Mytilene on the spot: the driver introduces us as “French journalists,” I do not have time to rectify the mayor thanked us for being there, he waited for us a long time, we journalists . “You have to show the situation, it is no longer tolerable.”

But what is not bearable anymore? The number of people penned up in these camps? The selection by nationality? The number of deaths at the border? The police prohibiting taxis to transport “Arab”, “undocumented” families? What is most unbearable?

These people are still in the beginnings of the European hassle; that created and imposed by our governments. Because we refuse him a visa, Abdel Aziz, 13 years arrives here by boat. From there he is under the “responsibility of the European states.” We park him, we sort him (Thank God he is Syrian), he is sent to the border with Macedonia and then to the Serbian border, Austrian, Hungarian.

Abdel Aziz, you’ll have to wait at the border before being transferred to Germany or France… The heads of state being revising quotas; 24,000 here and 30,000 there. Syrians, one wants Syrians!

Abdel Aziz, you’re Syrian? What luck. Your Afghan friend? Your Iraqi friend? For them, we will see later. And before long we will no longer have the capacity to “manage” we will have exceeded the quota! Thou art mindful little guy? Europe makes you a favor… So‘re avoiding to bring your cousin in a few months… There will be no more spots.

Europe will continue to create camps, such as Moria, that of Calais, secured by barbed wire walls. It‘s how we handle those unwanted. Today, a warm welcome from Angela Merkel and François Hollande, tomorrow strengthening border security and its justification by our good old saying that we can not welcome all the misery of the world.

Have you understood little guy? Then go!

Faces of Europe – Lesbos 2

Tags

Balkans, exilés, Greece, refugees

Following of the chronicle from Celine Barre on refugees in the Balkans.

 

Lesbos – September 8

https://goo.gl/maps/j9HjMFESLC42

Europe’s good kisses …

The arrival is scheduled at 8:30 am at little morning. The more we move closer to the coast over us what I feared getting closer. Hundreds of tents along the quay, mothers, children, old men are stuck here on the island of Lesbos. They are blocked and waiting to let them pass and a ferry ticket. This ticket will allow them to reach Athens and mainland Europe. Some may have to wait more than 10 days to get that ticket, then this will take for me 2 minutes to buy it and leave the island; minor issue for me, a chance unaffortable for others.

The streets of Mytilene are crowded. It is over 35 degrees, the children exhausted, sleeping on the floor in the arms of their mothers, their fathers, silent, exhausted. Tourists, locals, shopkeepers, everyone seems overwhelmed by this situation, but the climate remains serene, welcoming. Syria, War is two countries far from here. Unlike Calais where ambient segregation prohibits refugees to enter in cafes, here people speak Greek, Arabic, Farsi, Persian, Pashto and French in bars.

Abdel Aziz 13 years old, he arrived two days ago in Lesvos by inflatable boat. Accompanied by his twin brother, his six month pregnant sister and his father, he addresses me by saying that his country is the most beautiful in the world! Damascus is the most beautiful capital, even Paris and the Champs Elysees, compared it’s worthless! He tries to soften his malice reminding me that it has very good football team … nevertheless …

Abdel Aziz is the kid that we does not show in the media, smiling too much, too happy to match images of migrant masses of hundreds of people who invade Europe … to the delight of extreme right speech.

Abdel Aziz knows that later he will be doctor (or football player) in his country, when the war is over. You think I could have dual nationality? Franco-Syrian? German-Syrian? His country (the most beautiful in the world) already miss him. He has left his mother too weak and cousins with whom he enjoys playing football. He asks me about France, on asylum, on fingerprints taken by force. It seems that the people there welcomed us in the stations applauding us, is it true? I do not know what to say, yes there is a generosity in Europe, an awareness that we must welcome. I too have seen the video, these kids applaud as they arrive. I’ve seen others also, these kids who are currently stranded at the borders between Greece and Macedonia between Serbia and Hungary. And these kids here, exhausted, dirty, weakened. Abdel Aziz seems to protect himself with his doctor dreams (or football player).

He sees a map of Europe in my bag, asks me to get it out. We localize Lesbos, Athens, Belgrade, Budapest, Berlin, Paris, Paris Saint Germain … we pass by Olympique Marseille … He explains that he knows all the capitals of Europe, and all the football teams Europe … I do not doubt it.

He asks me the road, the way into Germany: how many kilometers? Over 2000 km man. His face hardened, older. He looks at his big sister six months pregnant who smiles sympathetically at him… No Mouchkila! No Problem! we are safe now …

I think back then to my journey to get here, to him. Four days of meetings during which I decide to take the bus or train or plane. I venture to hitchhike to finally opt for the train. I hesitate to take the plane to come to Lesbos but I take the boat trip … which cost me 150 euros, for which I have not once shown my passport, my identity, because I have this pretty face, the one that goes everywhere, undocumented … The European face. The borders exist to Abdel, 13, they are almost non-existent for me. The trip of Abdel began more than a month ago, fleeing from Syria to Turkey, while healing the trauma of leaving his mother stayed behind him because the trip is too hard. No visa, no possibility to legally join Europe. Taking the plane ? Abdel, look… resigne yourself …  This luxury is reserved to Europeans …

Abdel, your trip will take about 2 to 3 months, you will have to cross many borders, you will have to pass under the barbed wire fences, in the rain, at night. Abdel, you’ll have to be discreet, you are not considered a refugee. At the moment you are in the “transit migrant” category … Patience …

You will have from the top of your 13 years old, exceed your fear of the police, batons, tear gas. You’ll probably have recourse to smugglers to mafias. You’ll like today in Lesbos, have to sleep outside on cardboard boxes at stations if they accept your presence, in squats, sheds.

Once in Germany or France, you will perhaps be lucky enough to meet caring people who will welcome you but if this is not the case, you will be “transferred” in reception centers, where other boys of your age are waiting to be considered “legal” in the territory. In France, this procedure can last up to 2 years. For this, your dad will have to justify your persecution. He will need to be convincing your dad, they’ll have to give the details. Yes daddy may have to justify the fact that your mother is stayed behind. Maybe he can mention that you applyed for a visa but your demand was denied. Europe prefers to welcome you after 3 to 4 months of obstacle course. European papers, they must be earned my little man!

Faces of Europe – Lesbos 1

Tags

Balkans, exilés, Greece, refugees

Involved in supporting exiles in Calais, Céline Barré went to their encounter on the Balkan route. She writes a chronical of what she observes. She allowed us to publish it. Picture of the face that Europe presents to those who try to seek a future on its soil.

 

Lesbos – September 8

https://goo.gl/maps/j9HjMFESLC42

Arrived in Lesvos, Greek island close to Turkey, where 16,000 refugees are currently blocked, waiting for a pass for Athens. Stuffy and unbearable sight of pregnant women, kids, and tired of livid elderly. Te word has passed: France will host 24,000 people, Germany over 30,000 … so on this island, stress rises; you must leave the island soon to be part of this quota. It is necessary that the family remained in Syria joins us as soon as possible to the part of the quota. These people are stucked here for now. When shown a map of Europe which has served us “travel”, fear and fatigue appear when they discover that they have to walk over 2400 km to Germany or 2917 km to join Paris. But hurry … you have to be part of the quota. A 13 years old kid asks me where I come from: “Lille ? Oh yes, football team is good there!” In the same sentence, he asked me how it works for papers, for fingerprints taken by force, “they take the fingerprints of children as well?”

 

CYPRUS: AUTHORITIES WANT TO CLOSE SYRIAN REFUGEE CAMP

Tags

Balkans, Cyprus, exilés, refugees

Cyprus is a step for Syrian refugees. The country does not offer better reception, acceptance and integration conditions for refugees than Greece. They do therefore not apply for asylum, not to be returned under the Dublin III European regulation if they then seek asylum in another country.

The authorities had opened a camp for Syrian refugees, they now want to close, leaving them without solution. The mobilization gets organized on the part of exiles and associations that support them.

The statement of KISA association, in English and Greek, can be downloaded here.

 

 

GREECE AND SYRIA: MIRROR GAME AROUND THE EXILES

Tags

Balkans, exilés, Greece, refugees

On the occasion of the manifestation of Syrian exiles outside the Greek parliament, internet users remind that, following the Treaty of Lausanne and the population exchange that took place between Greece and Turkey, Greeks found themselves refugees in Syria. And when they managed to reach Greece, they have not always received a warm welcome.

On the Okeanews website (in French):

http://www.okeanews.fr/20141126-se-souvenir-des-refugies-grecs-alep-en-aidant-les-refugies-syriens-athenes

 

CYPRUS: THOSE SYRIANS WHO DO NOT WANT TO LET BEING ENCLOSED

Tags

Balkans, Cyprus, exilés, refugees

Cyprus shares with Greece being the worst European countries in terms of non-hospitality and violation of the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. And be separated from the rest of the EU by sea like Greece is from Schengen by the Adriatic Sea and the Balkans (see here).

A group of three hundred forty-five Syrian exiles did not make the mistake. Rescued at sea by a luxury liner that leads them to Cyprus, the majority of them refuse to come down and demands to be brought to Italy.

They finally agree to disembark but very few of them claim asylum in Cyprus, the other wanting to continue their journey towards a more hospitable land.

In English:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29358265

http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/10/13/only-six-of-339-rescued-refugees-have-applied-for-asylum-in-cyprus/