More than 100 out of the 250-plus hunger-striking illegal migrants camped out in a central Athens mansion and at the Thessaloniki labour centre are being treated in local hospitals as a result of their more than month-long abstention from food and most fluids.
The migrants, all males from north African countries ferried from Crete last month, are demanding their full legalisation in the country, meaning residence and work permits. Initially, the migrants and their local supporters demanded a full legalisation of all illegal migrants in the east Mediterranean country, a demand that was repeatedly and unequivocally rejected by the government.
Monday's development comes amid claims by migrants supporters that physicians at state hospitals are forcibly feeding the hunger strikers once they reach the health facilities. Conversely, the government late last week aired allegations that supporters accompanying the migrants to the hospital are preventing them from receiving sustenance, if when they request it.
