(Video) Members of Far Right Groups Attack Refugee Camp on Chios Island

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Gregory Pappas

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(Video) Members of Far Right Groups Attack Refugee Camp on Chios Island

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
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."
Anti-fascists condemn the violence on their island carrying a sign that reads “Chios has room for all– except fascists.”

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