Did you read this report about asylum seekers?

Question

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,514149,00.html

Shouldn't we forget about national differences when humanity is concerned? Greeks are proud of their culture and EU citizenship. Wouldn't it be correct to expect of them to uphold human rights? Or at least critisize the forces that do this instead of calling the one raising the question a "troll"? Because, you know, critisizm by the public is a must in a democracy.

Asimenia, when I tried to address this question before, I was accused of being a troll and insulting Greek nation, which was not my purpose. There are certain subjects that transcend borders and which concern all of us, humans. I'm glad Greek government took this problem up to solve (hopefully).

Answer 1

This is a serious problem. But lets have a look at the numbers:
According to CIA world factbook, on 2006, a Pakistani made 2500$/year. An Albanian made 5000$/year. A Turk made 9000$/year. Now, within EU, a Greek makes 24000$/year and a German makes almost 32000$/year. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gr.html

These data show the immigration route, the need for it and the willingness for anyone to risk even his life for a better future.

Greece is becoming richer every year (the income increases by 960$ every year (4% GDP). Thus, the pressure on its borders will increase dramatically in the years to come. Many immigrants stay in the country while others go on to richer EU nations. The last 10 years, 1/5 to 1/4 of the Greek work force is made by immigrants (Albanians, Bulgarians, Romanians, Afghanis, Pakistanis and Africans). This makes up to 2.5 million people (workforce + their families). Only 200.000 of these people are registered today. The majority are illegal immigrants and pay no taxes. Their enormous number asks for more infrastructure. Is it possible for Greece to realistically afford that? Greek citizens are taxed already by ~40% (!). And then the country is ~11 million people. That is the population of Istanbul...

A very small nation with a very good economy that gets better by the year but still...a very small nation!

As long as EU does not seriously consider a financial aid towards its border nations (Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal), poor people will be in the mercy of mafia, gangs, and police atrocities. Of any nation.

Answer 2

First of all sorry Blunt , I won't be answering your question completely but since I have been referred by ZIG ZAG by my name, I 'd like to use my right to answer him in this question.

Zigzag...... Please tell me what does friendship and this question got to do with each other?

Of couse it is an interesting subject. The problem of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants is not only both of our countries but a lot of Meditteranian countries also USA's matter for quite a long time.

Everybody knows that they are not welcomed well where ever they go but since there is always two sides to a story, they are also the victims of a humanity tragedy - the reason they had to fled form their countries of origin and the way they are treated at the arriving ports-

I starred the question so that I can come back later and read people's opinions regaring this matter .

As I matter of fact, I don't even have to give you an explaination since I can star any question as I please but since I noticed that you are aiming to twist the story to different dimentions, I felt obliged to- which I have to say that I don't feel good about-

BTW, You and a few users here are surprising me lately with your aggresive behaviour against Turks without ANY provacation from our side. Let me tell you that this type of behaviour doesnt suit you.

Please dont give me "Turks called us butchers" or " Greeks are kidnapping children "excuse since it never happened. If anybody claims otherwise, they will have to prove us with a link to the related question..

Calling Blunt- one of our oldest answerers -a 'troll"must be made as a joke since I don't want to think otherwise.

Answer 3

This was printed in the Greek newspaper Kathimerini a few days ago - thought it may interest you from a GREEK newspaper - didn't understand your question though .......

Article

Greek authorities are “systematically” endangering the lives of refugees trying to reach the European Union in boats, human rights groups said in a report issued yesterday.

The report by Pro Asyl and the European Council on Refugees and Exiles – an umbrella group of 76 non-governmental organizations – also denounced the EU’s asylum policy, saying its core objective is to keep out refugees rather than to protect them.

Greek coast guard vessels regularly engage in “life-threatening maneuvers” such as circling the rickety boats and creating large waves that could potentially swamp them, the report said.

Other tactics include pushing the boats out of Greek waters, or puncturing rubber dinghies so they cannot remain afloat, it said. “This appears to have become systematic in recent years,” said Marianna Tzeferakou from Amnesty International Greece. “But this is not only a national matter, it is a European matter because it’s a result of the EU putting pressure on the Greek government to seal off its borders.” Contacted by The Associated Press, the Greek Interior Ministry had no immediate comment on the report.

Greek authorities deny mistreating immigrants and say that most of the illegal entrants are not refugees but ordinary migrants from poor nations in the Middle East and South Asia seeking employment and a better life in the EU.

“EU nations wash their hands of the responsibility for refugees while humanitarian dramas unfold at the borders of Europe, illustrating the decreasing commitment of EU states to guarantee even basic human rights standards,” said Karl Kopp, member of Pro Asyl, a refugee rights group based in Frankfurt, Germany.

Most asylum seekers use Greece and other south European nations such as Malta, Spain and Portugal as transit points to other EU nations such as Germany, France and Sweden. But according to EU rules, the member state that is the refugee’s first point of entry to the EU is responsible for processing the claims. If they move on, the refugees will be deported back to the receiving country. The 27-nation bloc is due to finalize by 2010 a joint asylum system, which would alleviate the pressure on southern entry points by sharing out the refugees throughout the Union.

Greece has seen a surge in illegal immigration this year. Around 18,000 people have been detained in 2007, up sharply from the 8,000 caught during all of 2005. So far this year, 44 people have drowned and 54 are listed as missing.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, due to publish its own report on European asylum policies next week, has criticized Greek treatment of refugees. “We have very serious concerns about Greek practices,” said Madeline Garlick, a UNHCR spokeswoman in Brussels.

Answer 4

The asylum seekers are coming from your country and as we saw on tv they are tortured there.
Concerning your feelings about Greece, we all know you are hater of our country, and then when the greek users react against provocations you rush to all them racists and psychopathic...
all those...who promote the friendship between the countries..
Are you helping any friendship now?SAnswer to this...But at least be honest..

Answer 5

And what is the point of your question?
To criticize democracy or to criticize Greece or EU regulations ?
There are similar articles about all Mediterranean countries not only Greece, please ask the same question in all relevant sections including yours.

Answer 6

Let's hope that now you are going to feel better about your national identity, but why do you really need to feel better?...