Tensions are high on the Greek island of Chios as two nights of attacks against a refugee camp— perpetrated by far-right groups affiliated with the Golden Dawn political party have occurred.
Tents operated by the United Nations were burned and numerous refugees— including children and mothers carrying infants— were pelted by rocks.
A burned United nations tent that housed refugees. Image courtesy of Daniel Rivas via Twitter
About a hundred refugees, fearing for their lives, left the camp and took shelter in a nearby parking lot, refusing to go inside the camp since their protection could not be guaranteed by the police.
The mayor of Chios was certain that the attackers were affiliated with Greece’s Neo-Nazi party, Golden Dawn. “Of course Golden Dawn supporters are suspected to have participated,” Manolis Vournous told the Guardian.
The attacks on the Souda Camp coincided with a two-day visit by a team of members of parliament representing the Golden Dawn party who toured far-right Belgian parliamentarians who accompanied them to Chios.
The United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), which manages the camp, confirmed the attacks and condemned the violence.
“I strongly condemn any acts of violence, resulting both in the local population and the refugees being seriously hurt,” said Philippe Leclerc, the UNHCR’s representative in Greece. “All perpetrators of such acts should be found and brought to justice.”
Gabrielle Tan, an aid worker with Action From Switzerland, a grassroots organisation working on the island shared numerous videos on her Facebook from the incident.
Anti-fascists on the island also took to the streets condemning the violence and carrying signs that Chios has room for all— except fascists.
Anti-fascists condemn the violence on their island carrying a sign that reads “Chios has room for all– except fascists.”
5 comments
Terrible terrible news, and embarrassing for Greece where just on Tuesday President Obama just thanked Greece for all they have done to help and embrace the Syrian refugees.
If they need any help from the USA, they had better get it before January 20th.
This group has already endorsed trump.
He said …..
“I strongly condemn any acts of violence, resulting both in the local population and the refugees being seriously hurt,” said Philippe Leclerc, the UNHCR’s representative in Greece. “All perpetrators of such acts should be found and brought to justice.”……
OK . So now we know that golden dawn is behind this and we search to find who these persons are because we know where they are coming from. What about the refugees side ? We also know who are they and where they are coming from.
I am wondering if we are searching…. hmm maybe not because they are the “victims”…hmm…. maybe!
Germany’s nazi party started in a similar way however it’s start was centralized in one area.
Greece’s gold dawn (a neo nazi right party, Mozambique’s dictator, Syria’s murderous leader, russia’s leader, Le Pen in France, and other similar rightist fanatics including the KKK in the USA have all lauded or embraced Trump. What’s happening to our world?
We’re living in a very volatile and dangerous time. Do we never learn? Is history repeating itself? How far are we from the point of no return?
Greek government must start the deportation of refugees, they’ve increased the criminality and too much taxes money is been wasted with them. And did the government made sure that most Greeks would support the coming of refugees? I don’t think so. Within a time the government will do the same as the German government, the confiscation of second homes without compensating the owners to give to refugees, arresting people for had spoke out against the immigration and so on. The intention to try to ban an opposition party is just one more reason why democracy is a fraud.
In a democracy we have the right to voice our opinion, so you can state yours without being beaten or put in jail.
Where is your compassion? My opinion; you are the lowest form of human life!