Hunger striking migrants reject government offer

The 300-odd migrants on hunger strike in central Athens on Friday unanimously rejected the government's offer of

a six-month 'toleration status' allowed under EU migration laws, saying it did not meet their demand for full legalisation.

 

 An earlier meeting between representatives of migrants and government ministers had ended without any agreement and was followed by a meeting to discuss the government's proposals. 

 

 After Interior Minister Yiannis Ragoussis and Health Minister Andreas Loverdos left the building, the migrants held a meeting to decide whether they should accept or reject the government's proposal to allow them a six-month "grace period" before they are asked to leave the country. 

 

 They also rejected Loverdos' offer to transfer all those on hunger strike to hospital in view of a sharp deterioration in the weather expected over the next few days, saying they would be transferred to hospitals at the recommendation of the doctors currently attending to them. 

 

 The six-month "window" is foreseen under the law for those applying for political asylum and can be extended to illegal immigrants when there special circumstances, such as the serious health problems now faced by the group on hunger strike. This essentially delays deportation for a period of six months and the delay can also be extended for a "reasonable" space of time by the Citizens' Protection Minister. 

 

 The 'toleration status' also allows a migrant resident in Greece to work legally for as long as they are in the country. In order for the law to go into force, however, a presidential decree that is currently still pending must first be issued. 

 

 After the meeting, Ragoussis said that it was positive the government had an opportunity to speak to the migrants and make its position clear. 

 

 "The Greek government has exhausted all leeway given by the law. It cannot proceed with a mass legalisation of migrants," he stressed. 

 

 The migrants on hunger strike had asked to be granted humanitarian status but this was refused by the government, which said that humanitarian status was given either to those that had a residence permit in the past or could prove that they had lived in the country for 12 years. 

 

 Commenting on the government's handling of the issue, main opposition New Democracy representative Yiannis Mihelakis said it was "at sixes and sevens" and "falling apart". 

 

 "The prime minister at this crucial time for the country, instead of coordinating and guiding, is acting as a 'blue helmet' between sparring ministers. The government spokesman came to the point of celebrating - in one of the now habitual late-night 'pyjama announcements' - the achievement of an intra-party truce," Mihelakis said.






ANA