Prefecture of Kilkis Greece – FYROM Border

Home , Doirani, Hellenic Police, Idomeni, Kilkis, Kilkis (regional unit), Paionia (municipality)

Project partially funded by the Open Society Foundation, in collaboration with the Open Society Initiative for Europe.

Athens 10/8/2015

As it becomes increasingly relevant, and shortly after our most recent mission in Eidomeni, we completed and present to you our Report on the area, which is based on findings from the previous research period and more specifically on the mission which took place throughout 17-18-19/4/2015, as well as the overall activity of the GCR Thessaloniki office in the wider region throughout the previous time frame (April – July 2015).

Throughout the duration of the past 4 months, a thorough monitoring of the reality of the displaced refugee populations as it gradually develops was undertaken. This Report aims to document it as it was observed until July 2015.

Our efforts in the region continued. Already since July 2015, as we also discovered during our recent mission, the situation has changed drastically. The FYROM authorities are now granting, for an indefinite period of time, permission to enter FYROM territory for 72 hours, shifting the circumstances of crossing for the refugee population.

We will now immediately follow up with our updated Report, with regard to the actual situation that is now unfolding in the Eidomeni region.

We would like to thank the Solidarity Group of Polykastro and Vasili Tsartsani, whom without his help our mission would have been impossible, as well as our translators, M.A. and S.K., for their patience and strength but also for the way in which they know to respond to circumstances.

For the Greek Council of Refugees Athens and Thessaloniki Offices Gelastopoulou, E. – Theodoropoulou, A.

Introductory Information

The Kilkis Prefecture is a subdivision of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). It has an area of 2,505 sq. km. and is bordered on the north by FYROM, on the south by Thessaloniki, on the east by the Serres Prefecture and on the west by the Pella Prefecture. The Regional Unit of Kilkis is divided into the Municipality of Kilkis and the Municipality of Paionia.

The region of interest is the Municipality of Paionia and specifically the areas of Polykastro, Evzones, and especially the settlement in Eidomeni. Eidomeni is 22km from Polykastro and 7km from Evzones, the two biggest settlements in the area. It is 50km from the capital of the municipality, Kilkis, and 72 km from Thessaloniki.

The Kilkis Prefecture has 82km of land bordering with FYROM, not including areas of water. The Axios River enters and merges with other streams in the area between Eidomeni and Evzones. The area is controlled by the border stations of Evzones and Eidomeni while the official point of exit and entry between the two countries is the customs office of Evzones. At the other points-kilometers throughout the border- the borders are indistinguishable. The only markings are “pyramids”, cement cones that have been placed every 100 or 500 meters throughout the border. These cones serve as an

3 imaginary line between the two croplands of the two countries, which is filled in at parts by the Axios River or other smaller streams, serving as a natural boundary1.

Eidomeni’s proximity from FYROM grounds is such that the borders can be accessed unknowingly. The distance between Eidomeni and Gevgelija, the first city someone meets in FYROM, is around 14 km by the road between the two countries but only 2km by going through the border at the height of Eidomeni. The settlement of Eidomeni has a population of 154 people2 and constitutes the last settlement and railway station of Greece from which the railway line that connects Greece to the rest of the Balkan countries in Europe passes.

Spanning several kilometers, this specific area of the border constituted as an entryway between Greece and the rest of the Balkan countries, up until Europe. In the past few years, with the refugee influx, it attracts an increasing number of people, resulting in not just the number of new arrivals to multiply but also the dangers that those entering the neighboring country face.

People crossing the borders

1 http://dipe.kil.sch.gr/kentriki.htm 2 Hellenic Statistical Authority, 2011 4

As it became evident throughout the duration of the mission, based on testimonies collected from the area, the crossing in Eidomeni is exceptionally dangerous. The largest number of refugees gets trapped right at the border between the two countries, unable to carry on or return to the hosting centers of Greece. The living conditions and the dangers present on both sides of the border cannot be identified solely by the risk involved with an irregular trip. There are many various factors in both countries that pose a threat to their survival.

The population that seems to be resorting to this journey as a solution consists of two categories. The first is the refugees that have newly arrived on Greek territory, the majority being Syrians, who are trying to leave before exhausting their financial resources. Many approach the area immediately after their arrival to the Greek islands. The second consists of refugees that are Greek residents, victims of a previous asylum application process, the majority being of Afghan nationality.

It should be noted that for months, the Regional Asylum Office of Thessaloniki, despite recommendations, would not serve free refugees who wished to file for asylum. They were recorded only as detained foreigners. This was a source of endless despair and hardship for hundreds of people, while it placed an excessive burden on the personal circumstances of the population at the border. The fact that even those who were exhausted and changed their minds did not have access to asylum procedures, did not have resources or strength to move to Attica, where the previous Regional Asylum where they could file a request was, pushed many to despair even more. This irregular journey seemed to be the only feasible option.

As of today, early July 2015, the number of refugees who have approached the area and have attempted – many with success – to cross the borders is nearing the thousands. One pleasant turn of events is that the Regional Asylum Office of Thessaloniki began accepting Skype calls for appointments to request asylum on May 18th, while, from now onwards, starting 9/7/2015, access to request for asylum will be feasible by being physically present as well. It remains to be seen in the next few months what will be the

5 actual access and service at the Regional Asylum Office of Thessaloniki and how that will affect the size of the population that is moving irregularly.

The Journey

During the first mission, in April 2015, movement, at first glance, seemed to have significant decreased in comparison with the previous months. The railway line had been temporarily out of order since 28/3/20153.

While it was operating, residents talk of hundreds of people that would board daily. The refugees are headed towards Polykastro, Evzones, and Eidomeni with private vehicles, perhaps even taxis, though we did not learn about the buses with unspecified ownership, which had people from Thessaloniki inside and were headed towards the wider surrounding region of Kilkis. Few can use the local transportation due to the checks taking place on their official documents that mention Prefecture Kilkis as their disembarkation point. The wealthier remain in Polykastro and in the surrounding settlements in places they can stay until, aiming to cross the border, they will approach the farmland around Eidomeni and other settlements near the border. From the border, the pathway is crossed on foot. They crossed the land border up until Gevgelija in FYROM from wherever they could in order to - before it stopped operating - take the train to Europe. They follow the railway lines to the convergence point and parallel to the highway of Megas Alexandros that connects the two countries through the customs station of Evzones and continues until the capital of FYROM, Skopje. The pathway in some points is so narrow that many lose their lives. Within two days at the end of April, 14 people4 lost their lives, one 62-year old man from Afghanistan, and the rest 20-30

3 www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=22768&subid=2&pubid=64205898 www.ypodomes.com 4 http://www.iefimerida.gr/news/203202/pgdm-treno-skotose-14-metanastes-poy- prospathoysanna-perasoyn-ta-synora-eikones-vinteo http://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/epezisan-stithalassa-pethanan-stis-grammes-toy-trenoy 6 year-old5 Afghan6 and Somali nationals. They had started from Eidomeni and were swept up in the train to the ground of FYROM at the point that it seems that in the past 6 months, up to 9 people 7have lost their lives.

Reports from the authorities of the neighboring countries (FYROM and Serbia) mention tens of similar deaths in the previous year8. During the summer months, with the levels of the Axios River falling, the area bordered by water is accessible. The past few months the journey is also taken on bikes. The people are exhausted from walking under the sun while carrying all of their possessions.

Despite the proximity, no one seems to pass through Kosovo, which is bypassed as it is considered an exceptionally dangerous and unpredictable journey due to the ongoing tensions in the area and the many incidents of violence in the past. From the few who end up approaching Europe, many are in danger of being trapped in Serbia and Hungary. Among the countries found throughout the journey, both countries, after FYROM, are recorded as areas with the highest levels of police violence9. Based on accounts from refugees themselves who return to Greece, and from residents of the area, German Armed Forces seem to strengthen the external security of the Hungary – Serbia border, while in Hungary fingerprints are collected even through violent means, resulting in whoever leaves the neighboring European country to return and stay trapped in Hungary10. The

5 14 migrants killed by train while walking on tracks in Macedonia http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/24/several-migrants-hit-by-train-killed-central- macedonia 6 http://sidirodromikanea.blogspot.gr/2015/04/blog-post_328.html 7 Migrants in perilous overland EU journey killed by train in Macedonia http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/4/24/migrants-killed-by-train-in-macedonia.html 8 The Sundaily_40 immigrants injured in Serbia van crash (24/02/2015): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1337785, Deutsche Welle_ Refugees. Dozens of illegal immigrants hurt in Serbia van crash: http://www.dw.com/en/dozens-ofillegal-immigrants-hurt-in-serbia-van-crash/a-18276293 9 Human Right Watch_Serbia Police Abusing migrants, asylum seekers (15/04/2015): http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/04/15/serbia-police-abusing-migrants-asylum-seekers , Human Right Watch_Dispatches: Hungary's wrong focus on migration (29/04/2015): http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/04/29/dispatches-hungary-s-wrong-focus-migration 10 SPIEGEL online international_Europe's deadly borders: An inside look at EU's shameful immigration policy. The EU is doing all it can to keep out refugees (11/09/2014): 7 ever increasing refugee influx is such that it makes Hungary the country with the second highest number of requests for asylum, with Germany having the highest. The plans to construct a fence on the Serbian border and increasing detention time for asylum seekers are further attempts to delay the migrating population11.

Already with the railway line operating again, movement in the area increased exponentially. In late May, 800 people crossed the border within 2 days. From those, 93 returned to Greece crammed into train vehicles in danger of dying from asphyxiation12. In June and July, the circumstances have changed, along with the number of people who are now in the thousands13 and have filled the area14.

Mr. B.M., a Syrian national, has been attempting for a month to ensure access through Skype with the Regional Asylum Office of Thessaloniki, without any results. He decided to attempt to cross the borders. He returned to Thessaloniki on Monday, June 15th, with the goal of trying to request for asylum again and this is the story he told us:

“We were walking for four days. From Thessaloniki, we reached Eidomeni 7 people together and at night we found around 80 people in the forest, we left all together again and after Gevelija we found many others there might have even been 100. The FYROM police stopped us but once they say how many we were they just let us go. We reached a

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-tightensborders-and-fails-to-protect-people-a- 989502.html, Hungary - Serbia (11/09/2014): http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-tightensborders-and-fails-to-protectpeople-a-989502-4.html, Asylum Information Database_Dublin Germany: http://www.asylumineurope.org/reports/country/Germany/asylum-procedure/procedures/dublin, ΙRINNEWS_Hungary: a grim way station for asylum seekers (8/7/2015) http://www.irinnews.org/report/101723/hungary-a-grim-way-station-for-asylum-seekers 11 ΒΒC_ Hungary MPs approve border fence and anti-migrant law 7 July 2015 http://www.bbc.com/news/worldeurope-33421093 12 http://www.kathimerini.gr/816350/article/epikairothta/ellada/diplwmatiko-8riler-gia-to-treno- ths-ntrophs 13 https://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/teleytaios-stathmos-eidomeni, http://alterthess.gr/content/eidomeni-i-non-exit-tiseyropis 14 http://www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=22768&subid=2&pubid=64205898, http://www.newsweek.com/macedonia-migrants-macedonia-migrants-european-migrant-crisis- serbia-bikes-342441 8 village we had to cross, the road goes through the village, we call it the 4th village. From there we each would find a way to continue. Other started hitchhiking, others buying bikes – now a lot of people leave by bike. Do you imagine entering Europe by bike? Others would pay to go by car and the rest of us who remained would go on foot. We were essentially those who did not have any money on us, they asked us for money further down so that they did not arrest us but because we didn’t have any some of us decided to return. I don’t want to leave I like Greece, I want to work and build my life nothing else.”

The FYROM authorities change their stance at the end of July and for a few days, they grant permission for legal stay for 72 hours. This information travels quickly and thousands of arriving on the islands of N. Aegean rush to the Thessaloniki and Kilkis Prefectures. Despite all this, it seems that not even this development relieves the situation. The opposite, the people begin to flock to the borders in order to cross and be granted entry, resulting in thousands being trapped and a new crisis15 created, as, despite the FYROM authorities’ decision, the border guards are not following it16, while simultaneously returning around 2.000 from FYROM to Eidomeni17.

The Greek authorities mobilize and it is speculated that during those exact days a “sweep” operation was ordered in the area18. The countryside is again in a state of humanitarian crisis19, as the people flock to it but cannot move20. The General Office of the Ministry of Citizen Protection refuses the existence of such an order, an order that he

15 http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/greece-migrants-and-refugees-blocked- precarious-conditions, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/10/were-living-the-thug-life- refugees-stuck-on-greek-border-have-nothingleft-to-lose 16 THE INDEPENDENT_ Macedonia's uniformed border thugs wait for war-weary Arab refugees arriving at Europe's doorstep (10/7/2015) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/macedonias-uniformed-border- thugsawait-warweary-arab-migrants-arriving-at-europes-doorstep-10379107.html 17 FOCUS News Agency_ Dnevnik, Macedonia: 2,000 refugees returned to Greece in past couple of days (26/6/2015) http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2015/06/26/376458/dnevnik-macedonia- 2000-refugees-returned-to-greece-in-pastcouple-of-days.html, http://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/ta- synora-toy-paralogismoy 18 http://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/eidomeni-idiatagi-gia-tis-epiheiriseis-skoypa 19 http://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/poreies-thanatoystin-ellada-tis-krisis 20 http://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/egklovismenoi-stasynora-tis-ntropis 9 appears to condemn21, even though it seems that arrests have taken place; an unreasonable situation22.

“Truly what I saw cannot be described. After the announcement about the three-day permission for entry by FYROM so that the refugees can cross the border the unthinkable has taken place. Polykastro is around 75 km from Thessaloniki. From the end of the borders of the Thessaloniki Prefecture and for the next 40km or so, we continuously saw people walking on the side of the street. The journey from Polykastro to Eidomeni is around 24 km, where we did not stop even for a moment seeing people in groups as well as on bikes. On the road there is also a motel where, outside of the -let’s call it- yard area were over 300 people sitting. I didn’t count all the heads but I saw at least 30-35 groups of 8-10 people, among them young, old, and disabled. At Eidomeni, once we took the road that leads to the railway lines and the fields we saw at least 1.000 people and I am not exaggerating at all. I would like to be, but I’m not exaggerating. The biggest number of these people lives one meter away from the border. There, a fountain with running water has been built, so that is helpful for the people’s survival.

We spoke with people that were asking for information about asylum. We saw some that had come from the Thessaloniki office so they introduced me and the questions came pouring in, about asylum, about protection. On the one side of the border the FYROM authorities, on the other the Greek authorities, us in the middle with thousands of people. Leaving Eidomeni on the road towards Thessaloniki there were, again, people walking and biking next to trucks.”

21 http://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/apantisi-stin-apokalypsi-tis-efsyn-gia-tin-eidomeni 22 https://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/entasi-sta-synoraelladas-pgdm, http://www.avgi.gr/article/5658946/prosfuges-o-dromos-pros-to-oneiro-einai-efialtis 10

Conditions in FYROM

The complaints regarding people’s mistreatment suffered at the hands of both the FYROM authorities and criminal organizations and gangs that seem to be active in the area, as well as regarding their exploitation by smugglers, are endless, until July.

With their entry all the way up to Gevgelija, it seems that criminal organizations are involved just as much in predatory attacks – many times bloody ones – as in people’s ability to pass, as that seems to be what determines the success of their trip. It is repeatedly mentioned that, among others, a group of four people wearing police uniforms terrorize them. All who fell victim to these attacks insist they are not really police officers. All prove uncontrollable by the FYROM authorities. The FYROM security forces seem to be operating supportively towards the smuggling taking place, as they themselves become involved in incidences of beating, thievery, confiscation of official documents, and all sorts of exploitation of the vulnerability and fear of the refugees.

Complaints from refugees, as they are being collected and published steadily by residents active in the area23, note 10 to 40 attacks against refugees on FYROM territory per day. Incidences of refugees being kidnapped after crossing, theft of money amounting to many thousands of dollars daily, beatings and even more serious physical harm, and violent push-backs towards the Greek borders take place many times a day. Other degrading practices, such as removal of clothing so as to pinpoint all of their money, but also the extraction of money by whichever way also seem widespread.

23 http://kinisienergoipolites.blogspot.gr/2015/04/video_16.html, http://www.eidisis.gr/apopseis/sta-monopatia-tisprosfygias.html?fb_ref=Default, http://tvxs.gr/news/ellada/oi-egklobismenoi-tis-eidomenis, http://tvxs.gr/news/ellada/eidomeni-ena-kathimerinodrama-sta-monopatia-tis-prosfygias-binteo, NEWIrin_On the migration road in Macedonia: http://newirin.irinnews.org/on-the-migration- road-in-macedonia, Youtube – Asklepeion Greece_Refugee Solidarity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ye2y_FOVpE, Youtube – Asklepeion Greece_Refugees, but first humans ...: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8du1UOIRKE 11

“We were arrested by people who were wearing what seemed like military uniforms, they led us to a place in the forest and after checking us asked us to pull down our pants in front of everyone…they had suspicions that we might have money in our anuses.” - Testimony from a father who returned from FYROM to Greece, to the GCR office in Thessaloniki.

Another characteristic example is that of an Afghan mother who was asked for 1000 euros from people acting as FYROM authorities, so as to bring back her husband from whom she had been separated. The woman paid the money, but she was never reunited with her husband. All these types of cases always take place in front of children and toddlers. From Gevgelija onwards, there are complaints of criminal organizations in every village throughout the journey. Attacks, beatings, and robberies take place throughout the entire journey as far up until Belgrade in Serbia.

Many people mention that whoever crosses the borders with the help of a smuggler, and depending on the amount they have paid the smuggler, are left undisturbed even by the authorities to cross, or, other times the border guards lets them pass only so that others can attack them and rob them. This way, many are forced to return and to attempt to cross again by giving more money.

S.A., a young man from Syria who is accommodating his underage nephew mentions that if you have a “good” smuggler you are not in danger from either gangs or the FYROM police.

“This little one is my brother’s son, I lost everyone from my family he is the only one left. I worked hard in Turkey for a year almost like a slave; I was working all day and night. The Syrians are the foundation of the Turkish economy. I saved money and we came, I have paid for everything so that my nephew and I are safe, he is now my child. I have arranged so that we cross safely, I paid a lot for this… I am scared but Allah will protect us in the difficult moments.”

M., an Afghan national, has been in Greece for many years, speaks Greek very well and has learned all the passages of the route. He himself has tried tens of times.

“They didn’t used to chase us Afghans, they knew we didn’t have any money and they looked away. Now this has changed, smugglers check the area and whoever does not have money does not pass. You have to be very lucky to pass without a smuggler present. They returned me back to Greece many times. You see there - points to a vehicle - they watch us all day and know what we do, where live, how we’ll move. They know everything and let us pass accordingly. Some days, the border is open -that’s how we say it-. Some other times, it’s not. It’s like a game, today you can tomorrow you can’t. Whoever makes it in time. Up until now they came to Greek side. These days they let us pass through until the second or third village, from there on out the problems start and the dialogue as to who can cross and who can’t, takes place.”

There is a group of criminal organizations which, given the population present in the area, exploits the refugees’ despair for their profit, since there are always ways of furthering hardship and extracting even more money.

On Wednesday, May 13th, the GCR office in Thessaloniki received calls both from the citizen groups in the municipalities of Paionia and Kilkis and from the authorities, and we were called to aid 93 people who were found in a train vehicle, confined inside for hours. Everyone was in urgent need of support both in order to tend to their basic needs and to pass on information to them, as they were in a state of confusion as to what had happened and as to what their rights in Greece were. On that same afternoon, communications began with other organizations and groups from Thessaloniki, so as to prepare a plan of support for the people found. Significant attempts were made to find a place where the people could bathe and be feed, while simultaneously attempts were made to find accommodations for particularly vulnerable cases of the population. That same night, the 93 Syrians, among who were 18 children, spent the night in the yard area outside of the police station of Eidomeni. The next morning, in collaboration with the head of the police station of Eidomeni, they were given all the information necessary and transported using

13 buses from the Thessaloniki authorities to the space that had been prepared to accommodate them so that they could rest and recover, bathe, receive information, etc. Some came to our office so as to receive information with regard to the process of registering for asylum and the benefits that may entail.

They were CLEARLY exhausted and particularly frightened. Most of them seemed to be disappointed from the entire process but also with the fact that they would need to be transported to Athens to complete it.

A. told us: “I saw the war I left behind in Syria again. We gathered in a hotel in the area, we were around 200-300 people. We moved on to the border close to Eidomeni. At night, we were in a forest in FYROM. We were around 800 people, I’m not sure but we were a lot. All around us there were people with guns and knives and we were sitting in the center and they wouldn’t let us move from there. Some children wanted to go to the bathroom and the men’s response was ‘do it on yourself, no one moves from here.’ The next day they separated us, around 200 of us were taken to Gevgelija. There at the station they put us in a commercial vehicle. Some refused to go; I don’t know where they are. They were going to put some others in another vehicle; I have not heard their news. I wanted to go to Germany to my father who lives there, he is old, the UN took him there from Lebanon. In the vehicle we were put in, we were 93 people, we stayed many hours without moving, there was little air in there. The vehicle had something like lined plastic and it did not let the air come in. We started banging on the vehicle to get out, the man responsible along with others, some of whom were wearing police uniforms, opened the door, threatened us and afterwards shut it again… I don’t know if they were police officers but they were wearing uniforms… A little while after the train started again… we were headed to Serbia. We were happy for a bit I don’t remember how long the vehicle was in motion I can’t estimate, not for long though, and then we suddenly stopped…Panic took over, our smuggler told us that it is no longer his responsibility that we are outside of FYROM… We called 112 and the Greek police came… We spent the night in the station, a lot of people came to help, it was very moving…”

M. added: “(…) and now what do we do I can’t go to Athens I will be waiting months outside of Katehaki, I can’t stay here… So many children, so many elderly people, so many people what will we do can someone tell us what we will do... We survived war to die on the border.”

H. asked “help me to go back to Evzones I can’t live here, it’s better to be on the street.”

Many mentioned that these criminal organizations illegally cross the borders and sometimes act on the Greek side of the border line at times.

Many are forced to return to Eidomeni having lost all of their belongings on foot even from Hungary, carrying toddlers and looking for accommodation24. Others, having exhausted their financial resources as a result of their many failed attempts, and fed up with the exploitation that they have undergone at the hands of smugglers, aim to cross blindly.

Those people specifically, being without the “protection” of a smuggler, are more in danger of falling victim to excessive violence and abuse. Many of them do not have any way to leave the countryside and stay near the border with the other who will try to cross.

Arrest and Detention at FYROM

Whoever was arrested by the FYROM authorities and did not directly cross the border, is held in a closed detention center at the Gazi Baba Municipality in Skopje25, which today seems to no longer be used as a detention center.

24 He refers to the case of a Syrian, father of two children, 6 and 8 years old respectively, who returned on foot with his children, after being beaten heavily by police in Hungary, in front of his children 25 Amnesty International_Hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers unlawfully held: https://www.amnesty.ie/content/hundreds-refugees-and-asylum-seekers-unlawfully-held 15

Everyone mentioned the jailors’ and the local police’s behavior as the worst situation they were forced to undergo. Malnutrition, lack of space, the inability to communicate with the outside world, and the police’s verbal and physical violence is now the norm26.

“They even hit children”

A., a Syrian, reached Greece on 30/3/2015, to Lero along with 3 other of his compatriots. We met them on 17/4/2015 at Polykastro. A few hours before, they had returned from FYROM. They had crossed the border around a week ago. Around 20 people attacked them at the Demir Kabia village. The rest of the group does not know what happened to them. Some managed to reached Serbia, some remained in FYROM. They themselves, while they got away, were arrested by the FYROM authorities and kept in the detention center in the Gazi Baba area for 2 days. All 4 complain about the police violence and the conditions the detainees were kept in. They mention a characteristic example of 2-year- old girl who was making noise and the guard hit her repeatedly because her mother could not manage to get her to be quiet.

They found compatriots in the detainees who had recently crossed the borders, but there were others who had been kept for 2 months now without knowing the reason. They mention that the people there act as though they are lost. They do not know where they are, their phones have been confiscated and they have not managed to communicate with anyone. There are no mattresses, bedding or basic necessities there, there is barely any food, one canned meal a day and a little bit of bread. They do not know why some have been let go while others stay. A., as much as his traveling companions, despite what they have gone through, do not want to discuss asylum in Greece. There is nothing for us here, he mentions. Most of them are thinking of the families they left behind with the hope of legally being able to return to get them from Syria. With their return from FYROM they would go to Thessaloniki to regain strength until the passage at Eidomeni, which they themselves have characterized as “closed”, opens.

26 http://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/athlies-oi-synthikes-sta-kentra-kratisis-metanaston-stin-pgdm- vinteo, http://bit.ly/1gefNrA 16

A percentage of the detainees will either be removed violently from Greek grounds, or returned to Greece through the official process of relocation, other will be released after a few days, and some however will stay for an indefinite period of time. The criteria these practices will be based on are not clear and no solid conclusion can be drawn.

Return to Greece: Violent Pushbacks at the Border

Particularly in Eidomeni, where FYROM ground is visible even from the windows of the houses and the police stations, refugees were violently pushed back to the Greek side of the border many times. On 18/4/2015 M.S., a 15-year-old from Syria, mentions that a few day ago while they were walking on FYROM territory, border guards violently forced them, after destroying their belongings, to cross the border line and stay in Greece. This is not an isolated incident. Similar bloody episodes take places constantly and many have driven many refugees to the hospital in a critical state.

Indicatively, on 20/3/2015, a group of around 50 people, among who were families, are arrested by the FYROM police, women from Afghanistan and Sudan are beaten, while their vehicles return them close to the border, where they are violently pushed towards Greek ground. On the same day, a complaint from a Syrian refugee mentions that he was arrested along with 13 others and violently beaten in a detention center. All together, they are led close to the border on a police vehicle, whereupon their exit they are violently beaten again until they cross the border.

Other testimonies mention an incident from 21/3/2015. 28 Syrians, after a 5-hour walk in FYROM, decided to continue their journey in the rain for another 6 hours since they could not board on any vehicle. At 4 in the morning, upon reaching an unfamiliar train station and in order to avoid being arrested they are forced to run for 6km with no result. They were arrested, beaten, especially by one policeman who simultaneously insulted their families, crammed into a white police vehicle and driven to the border. And there, they are beaten in front of their families again, and pushed back towards the Greek side. One person was beaten so much that they were unable to revive him. Families and small

17 children were begging the FYROM police to officially hand them over to the Greek authorities so that “their suffering can end” and to not abandon them out in the open. That did not happen. The refugees carried the wounded man for 4km in the rain until the first hotel they came across on Greek land.

Other incidents, however, are mentioned, where the FYROM border guards but also other armed forces attacked refugees, illegally crossing the border. There have been complaints from the residents of incidences where there were Greek eyewitnesses who were called on to provide first aid care to the wounded. Mentioned specifically is the incident that took place during the winter months where border guards attacked refugees in front of fearful families and small children, burning their few blankets and belongings, and beating them, while one of them broke the hand of an Afghan refugee.

Again, on 28/3/2015, 70 refugees were robbed at gunpoint by 8 people near the border line, starting in FYROM. The next day, a group dressed in police uniforms robbed more refugees again who were trapped near the border line. The next day the residents who came to help found the refugees wounded with bloody heads.

In the beginning of May around 30 Syrians were violently pushed back from FYROM to Greek ground to the Eidomeni area, after being beaten aggressively. They were taken to the Kilkis Hospital. One of them, a person with a disability who travels by crutches, being heavily wounded was hospitalized in Kilkis Hospital for an extended period of time.

At the end of May, five women from Rwanda, two of which were pregnant, and one underage child who they were accompanying, were again violently pushed by FYROM police towards the Greek side of the border. A woman of Syrian nationality was found with a broken hand and was hospitalized until 10/6/2015. Her injury, based on her account, is due to a conflict in which people with police uniforms were involved, without however being able to ascertain whether they were FYROM police or not.

Returns According to the Re-Entry (Re-Admission) Agreement

The Agreement27 between the European Union and FYROM was signed on 18/9/2007 and put into effect on 1/1/2008. The responsible department to oversee its application in Greece is the Department of Prosecution of Illegal Immigration- Immigration Department and Border Protection – Hellenic Police Headquarters of the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Management.

Through this process, among other things, FYROM has the ability to request that the Greek authorities allow entry into Greek grounds from designated entry points, specifically from T.S.F., to third country nationals who have been arrested in FYROM without legal permission for entry, after establishing their prior passing or prior stay in Greece. Despite the fact that the Agreement does not anticipate the exact number of requests, the statistics of the specific office show an exceptionally low number of requests and carried out readmissions.

Requests for re-admission FYROM28 Year Requests for Number of Accepted Recipients re-admission migrants 2011 4 19 19 15 2012 2 21 21 21 2013 8 79 43 11 2014 13 101 76 55 2015 (5μηνο) 8 135 80 61 Total 35 355 239 163

Until 2012, the Greek authorities appear to accept all requests. Since 2013, the requests concern and increasing number of third country nationals but the number of requests carried out as well as the actual number of third country-nationals readmitted decreases.

27 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EL/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32007D0817&from=EL 28 Data received after a request to the authorities 19

Despite the fact that the number of people whom each request for readmission concerns increases progressively, as well as the number of requests, it is disproportionately far from the actual number of people that move between the two countries. This proves that the violent pushbacks there have been complaints about as well as the illegal returns are used as a “solution” for the FYROM authorities, leaving the official and more secure for the population legal procedure to the side.

From cases that the GCR offices handled equally in Athens as in Thessaloniki, the conclusion drawn is that the treatment that they will have in Greece depends just as much on their nationality as it depends on their family situation – vulnerability. It is doubtful as to whether or not Syrians are taken into account in this population, or to what proportion.

At the end of April we accepted 30 Afghans, who constituted 6 families, into the Thessaloniki office; 12 adults – parents and 18 under-aged children. Their readmission throughout Doirani had just been completed. They mentioned to us that they were recorded in TSF Doiranis and were released with travel document while they came to Thessaloniki by train. One of the adult mentions:

“They caught us and after we underwent more hardship for a day they returned us to Doirani where Greek police were waiting for us, we stayed at the station for a few hours and afterwards received our papers and they let us go… they told us to go to Thessaloniki. We came and stayed at the station for many hours until we came here… I don’t what we’re going to do where we’ll go, we have to try again we are not well here we live on the streets we don’t have another solution… Asylum means protection and if we stay here we won’t have any, in other countries they provide a house and some time to find a job and try to live with dignity”.

During the same period we communicated with 17 Afghan men traveling alone, who had been kept in the TSF Doirani for two months after their return, despite the area’s unsuitability for a multi-month stay. Some of them were moved to the Paranesti detention

20 center. An Afghan adult man was held for about 2 months with other people, until his transportation to Paranesti was possible.

At the Eidomeni detention center, which serves as a police station as well, we find 7 detainees on 17/4/2015, all Bangladeshi nationals who have been moved from the TSF Doirani after their readmission. The police station at Eidomeni, just like all of the country’s police stations and border station, cannot meet the demands of a detention center, despite the staff’s good intentions, since the police station is essentially a police station of a small settlement. The staff there is not enough so that there is the possibility of regular stay, the space is limited given that the center is meant to be used for stays of only a few short hour or days and for one or two people. One of the 7, K.A. in response to our questions, declares that he is 18 or 22 years old, it is doubtful though whether or not he is actually an adult. He has been in Greece for a while and he speaks a little English. He has tried to leave but has not succeeded. His eyes are red like everyone else’s and he himself is exceptionally worn down:

“We were a lot of people, the FYROM police left us near the lake, and there were also children and women and Syrians. The Greek police were not waiting for us but they came after. They left them they detained us. We were in Doirani and now Eidomeni a sum of 36 days as of today.

This practice is confirmed by other families as well, who were serviced at the Thessaloniki office after their readmission. The father of one of these families, an Afghan national, mentions:

“They would not have been able to keep us, where would the babies stay, we have small children with us and they do not have space. We stayed for a little bit and we got sick, better in the field. Their space is small and much is missing”.

Living Conditions at the Border

Despite the adversity and the evident danger to their own lives, many of those newly arriving to Greece persevere and consider passing to be feasible. For most of the people who have exhausted their financial resources or have had their documents confiscated, the Axios valley and generally the country side as well as the surrounding areas constitute the only grounds on which they can stay, always fearing arrest, and hidden both from FYROM and Greek authorities.

Given that there is not government infrastructure or PRONOIA and it is not anticipated that there will be, the KYLIKEIO of the station and the HOTEL MONADES in the general area essentially constitutes the only place where this population can KATLISEI with dignity, has access to water, food and healthy living conditions at least as much as their financial resources allow. The fact however that the Kilkis Prefecture is included in the prohibited areas in which newly arrived irregular foreigners are allowed to stay excluded the majority of the population both from the hotels and from means of transportation. The poor, in particular, do not seem to have any chance of survival. A case is mentioned to us of an Iraqi refugee with three underage children, on paralyzed in his arms, who has 15 euros left and is trying to find a place for his children for the winter months.

The overcrowding in the countryside- the only option for many of these people, and during the winter months as well, led to CIRCUMSTANCES of humanitarian crisis while the situation is expected to be further burdened in the summer due to the anticipated arrivals in the country and in that specific area, in combination with a water shortage.

Homeless and exposed to various natural phenomena, without food and water, there were over 400 during the winter29. Many times they were forced to drink water from the Axio River. Babies, women, children and elderly people, all exposed to the cold of the

29 http://www.kifadramas.gr/last/ 22 countryside for days, without clothes, without anything to protect them from the natural phenomena, without water.

Two words from Dr. K. Hussein Baltatzi30

I have a fever, I feel rundown, I am trying to understand from where I got it from… Perhaps it was during my overnight shift two days ago or yesterday in Eidomeni? Everyone who we tested had similar symptoms. I refuse to prescribe myself any sort of treatment. I am taken over by a strange feeling, one the one side it’s ethical satisfaction on the other it is guilt. I lasted half a day, I couldn’t last, I couldn’t feel my feet from the cold, I wanted to so much to reach my home. I can’t however forget their looks. Coughing, fever, feet on the verge of gangrene, excessive pain, literally begging for a Depon. Fortunately, we had plenty. At the end of my residency, having a relative amount of experience in managing and announcing difficult situation, I brought myself to avoid little children, babies… I told my colleagues: Katerina, Louai, Stergio and Alexander: ‘can you please calculate the drug dosage?’ I didn’t have the strength to face them. My young translator, Sarjan, tireless, could not hold back longer he teared up, when he was trying to tell me that his little baby brother could not breathe during the night, maybe he was cold he said…it was the coldest night, the past nights he has been crying my parents don’t know what to do… The elderly gentleman, with high blood pressure, swollen knees, high blood sugar, arrhythmia, supported… the 7.5 month pregnant woman, a man with intense shivering, he had drunken water from the mire nearby. Ali, the first time, was skeptical, irritable, and aggressive with angry intentions, justifiable perhaps from the fever that would not go down, the coughing and breathlessness. This time, however, he was thanking us and giving us his best wishes, helping elderly people during their examination and near the end dancing, singing, wrapped in his blanket having completely forgotten the night that was awaiting him. With a bright smile he was waving at us until we disappeared completely from his field of vision.”

30 http://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/voyvosapomonomenos-heimonas-stin-eidomeni 23

In the makeshift examination room (car hood), I was called upon to face the breathlessness of a baby just 8 months, human legs on the verge of gangrene, pregnant women, YPERILIKES, all of them were asking for temporary relief. The hygienic conditions were terrible, in the best-case scenario they were cramped in a tent, without drinkable water, forced to drink from accumulated dirt. Fearful, suspicious glance in the beginning, they arrive all together as soon as they are assured of our intentions. Fever, hardship, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, a lot of pain, analgesics, medication and a little smile to break the ice… the cold of the night though… This is not a Hollywood blockbuster with touching background music…This is a QUIET, isolated winter that is interrupted by the crying of a child, a breath’s distance from the deafness of civilized society. With the current mission, an alarm signal is going off in all directions, this is a call to conscience for all responsible citizens, specifically public officials, to mobilize and join their incredible forces together. You can now do the right thing… Let us not wait to lose any more of our fellow humans to mobilize. Let us actively show our utmost respect to humanity, they deserve, you can… Kind Regards, Dr. Hussein Balatzis.

This situation, in combination with the exhaustion and despair brought on by repeated failed attempts at crossing, was the cause of two deaths in the winter, always keeping in mind that this number may be conservative due to the cases that were not publicized31.

31 https://left.gr/news/egklovismenoistin-eidomeni-martyries-fotografies-vinteo 24

Food distribution to refugees

On the first day of the mission, we identified around 50 Afghan nationals, among whom at least 20 were minors who, fearful, rushed to hide. The next day most of them had crossed the border. Those who had stayed behind explained to us that in 3 days the others would be back within 3 days, “the passage is closed”. They will have been pushed back and will have to walk for two days to return.

By participating in distributing material assistance just as citizens of the local area were doing, we were able to speak with most of the people that remain hidden, now much more than 150 people, spread out in different places. Split up into group based on family situation and nationality, the refugees are permitted to stay on Macedonian territory, where this specific area serves as a shelter, in contrast to the Greek one, as there are many abandoned buildings and trees in the forest next to the Axios river that provide shade. Despite all this, they feel no relief, since they themselves mention that things in the area are changing. The people who have been here for months mention that every three weeks, the practices change. Today they let them; tomorrow the border guards may pounce and push them back to Greece. They mentioned that during the days of our mission, the

“attacks” do not occur close to the border line but further inside the village, more specifically one of the young Afghans said “now they get us further in, we reach about the 2nd with 3rd village and then they start chasing us”.

The families, the women and children, primarily Syrians but also Afghans, stay in abandoned building while men traveling alone, Afghans, Syrians and Somalis, most no older than 20 years old and many minors, stay in the forest and the others on the other side of the valley far away from the rest.

Three Somalis, appearing to be minors, are some of the last that come to receive food and water. All three of them lean on wooden sticks, CLEARLY worn down. They themselves declare that they are exhausted. They are with another 4 Somalis that stay in the valley far away from the rest and are coming late. The oldest one of the group is no older than 21 years old.

Young Somalis, after receiving food supplies, return to their camping spot

Families have priority in receiving food and water. There were around 8, most of them single-parent families. There are just over 20 children, most of kindergarten age, but there were also refugees that are over 60 years old and clearly exhausted. Men traveling alone follow. Everyone needed more water, but there was not enough as everyone needed to get at least one bottle until the next time that aid could be distributed.

According to E., a volunteer in the area, the people are exhausted. The local people’s strengths are decreasing, and with that also the help that can be distributed, while with the change of seasons, the needs of the refugees and the dangers they face are shifting. Thirst and shelter from the heat and sun will be the biggest dangers that they will face during the summer months that follow, while they express fear that with the start of the farming period and intensive cultivation of the agricultural land in the area, tragedies might multiply. There is also the view of those who see the presence of refugees in the area as catastrophic to farmers. The number of people crossing agricultural lands is considered to cause damage to the soil and farmers’ crops, giving rise to some residents’ dissatisfaction, even that of the authorities of the Paionia and Kilkis32 municipalities.

The stance of the local community – The stance of the authorities

The local community and simple residents have proven to be essentially saviors of these people. In collaboration with the NGOs based in Thessaloniki, organized anti-racists initiatives, conventions of Kilkis and Thessaloniki33, and individual residents on their own initiative, have made enormous efforts to collect food, basic necessities and clothes, which they distribute regularly to the countryside. The response of regular people was enormous, and we learn that they collected tons of things. Volunteer doctors and

32 The meeting took place on 30/04/2015 as an initiative of The Municipality of Kilkis, with the theme of managing the influx of refugees/ migrants in Kilkis 33 Indicatively some of these citizen initiatives include: Citizens Movement Polykastrou, Citizens Movement Kilkis, Antiracist Initiative of Thessaloniki, Social Clinic Solidarity Thessaloniki Social Clinic Pharmacy Drama, Social Pharmacy Kilkis, Association for Child Protection "Benjamin" Katerini, Velvento and Kozani Citizens, Pontian Association of Students of Thessaloniki, Oikopolis - solidarity structures and many others. NGO listed alphabetically: Arsis, Medecins du Monde, Doctors Without Borders, Hellenic Red Cross, Greek Cou7ncil for Refugees, Solidarity, PRAKSIS and many more. 27 members of NGOs with offices in Thessaloniki, among which GCR as well, repeatedly contributed to these efforts and repeatedly rushed to this area. These efforts, which continue to this day, as well as the help of ordinary residents, are the sole things that kept countless of people that reached and crossed Eidomeni alive.

B. mentions “On April 1st I went to distribute humanitarian aid, three siblings, two twins in front of me, refugees aged 20 and 22 years-old, reached out their hands, I stretched mine out as well, our hands did not meet. My soul was crushed when I realized that these children were blind and they would walk 1,700km to Europe. Truly, where does the humanity end?”

There were more than a few times during winter when residents of Polykastro and of surrounding settlements opened their houses to welcome families and small children so as to protect them from the snow and cold or to provide them with water and food so as to stay alive.

“It was passed midnight I was alone in the house with friends when there was a knock at the door and I opened, there were three Syrians, one of them spoke English and were frozen from the cold. You can imagine what winter means here. We brought them inside and we sat all together. We made soup they drank and a little tsipouro all good. The next morning they left they thanked us and left. I so hope they made it…” A woman at the Eidomeni station told us “we are not bad sometimes we are scared. There are some that are bad – involved in things, sometimes at night I am cared to cross the railway lines they teal and threaten us, Many found the trick and they come to make money. They want to make a profit off of other peoples’ burdens…Nothing will come of this…whoever can tries to take advantage. And yes, those people I am scared of sometimes.”

Many families but also beaten and wounded refugees who, with the help of local residents, are being nursed at the Health Center of Polykastro which, despite its shortages has risen to the task. During our visit to the Center we discovered the severity of the

28 shortages, both in medications and in supplementary material. During our visit, 8 refugees were being examined, one of which was a baby.

Conversation with the staff noted shortages in gauzes, antibiotics, as well as other medications that could be helpful to the people. The staff emphasized that refugees need different types of interventions, more urgent, due to the limited time they have. More specifically, in reference to a case of a man that had serious headaches and diarrhea, a doctor mentioned “unfortunately, there is not much we can do from the moment that normally, he should be getting treatment and monitoring his diet. This cannot happen due to the circumstances. Many times they are forced to drink water from the river, but you might as well call that water poison…Someone else could not see as well in emergency care but we could not deal with this our ophthalmologist comes a few times a week during our night time shifts we cannot do anything… One night they brought us someone whose head was cut open, we could not deal with this we just send him to the Kilkis Hospital and that’s if we manage to get an ambulance.”

It should be noted that there is only one ambulance in all of the Kilkis Prefecture and cannot be used to meet even the most basic needs of the local community. This, in combination with the prohibition of stay and transit in the Kilkis Prefecture, often make it impossible for refugees to have access to the services of the Center and the Hospital. The criminalization of transporting these people as it exists and is applied to this day may prove fatal. Residents at this point facing many dangers, even danger of arrest, defy these laws so that no refugee in the countryside dies.

“I am out here near the river all day, what my eyes see cannot be described. But I am scared after everything that has happened. I have put people in my car many times and what can you do leave a woman with a child beaten on the ground or a pregnant women searching on the street. Do you leave them? But the police threaten us and told us they will put us in jail. I told my brother as well though there is no way I am leaving a woman alone on the street or beaten and whatever happens I don’t regret it. I’m not going to be sorry for myself.”

Since April and more organized in May, Doctors without Borders have been making efforts to provide health care to the refugees that are in the area, while they are simultaneously visiting detention centers.

In collaboration with the Health Center of Polykastro and the Kilkis Hospital, they are supporting refugees who have either been wounded on Greek territory or wounded in clashes at the border or were returned wounded by FYROM. They are simultaneously examining ways to ensure drinkable water for the people staying in the countryside. Maintaining a team in FYROM as well, they manage to help refugees on both sides of the border34. To support the refugees in the best possible way, through the GCR Thessaloniki office, we are in direct contact with Doctors without Borders both for informing the population but also to help find solutions to practical issues that arise constantly.

The contributions of the citizens groups in Polykastro and of the volunteers are invaluable. Enormous efforts are being made to inform as well as sensitize not just the common opinion but also authorities so that there is steady government aid – solution for this incredibly vulnerable population. Countless videos, social media feeds, and online publications35 note the dangers and the situation and call for help and support36. On April 15th 2015 the issue reached the European Parliament at a Eurogroup meeting of the Left, after pressure from residents37.

34 http://www.msf.gr/magazine/oi-giatroi-horis-synora-enishyoyn-ti-drasi-toys-sti-mesogeio-kai- sta-valkania 35 NEWIRIN_On the mugration road in Macedonia: http://newirin.irinnews.org/on-the-migration- road-in-macedonia/ 36 http://kolindrinamaslatia.blogspot.gr/2015/03/blog-post_64.html, http://idomeni.gr/arthra/images/humans/index.html, http://oikopolissocialcenter.blogspot.gr/2015/02/sos.html, http://www.exostispress.gr/Article/kalesma-anthropias--boitheias-apo-to-kentro- metanastothessalonikis-0, http://www.kilkistoday.gr/kilkis24/34160-ta-prota-pharmaka-gia- prosphuges 37 Youtube_SYRUZA European Parliament: Vasilis Tsartsanis about entry points of migrants FYROM – Greece at EU Parliament: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxJhYFhJyLo 30

These meetings aim to resolve the issue while there has been a series of meetings between EU governments have been arranged to take place for the next period of time. The issue is clear. Government support is demanded for the survival of these people so that there are no more victims and they can cease being exploited. This is a humanitarian crisis.

The restrictions and fear of arrest push refugees to exhaustion and towards illegal “trafficking”, which to them appears to them to be the only option, thus making them vulnerable to the intentions of traffickers. As of now the mobilizations continue, without any substantial change yet.

After incredible efforts spanning several months, the local community felt abandoned since there had been no effective response by the government, essentially leaving the survival of the refugees on the border in the hands of the residents, who admittedly cannot shoulder the burden.

On 30/4/2015, on the Kilkis Municapility’s initiative, a conference was organized between local institutions and organizations with the theme “Meeting on the Management of the Issue of Refugees-Migrants in the Kilkis Prefecture”, where many issues concerning the living conditions of the people at the countryside, were discussed, as well as problems that are created in the Paionia municipality and specifically problems with agriculture, local residents’ fear due to the large number of refugees close to the village of Eidomeni, the small robberies that are taking place throughout the village, and even the issues created due to the concentration of trash, etc. Among other things, issues of oversight in the area by the authorities and meeting the basic health needs of those in the area were discussed. Specifically for the detainees of the area, the issue of the legality of the doctor examinations they were subject to was brought up. Specifically the examinations include an HIV and Hepatitis C check, without a sufficient explanation as to why these were necessary and without informing the detainees about neither that these examinations were taking place, nor the future use of this sensitive personal information. The official explanation by the local authorities was that these

31 examinations are mandatory for these people to be transported to detention centers, something however that is not included in the practices of the rest of the authorities in the country.

The nature of the meeting was informative and there were no specific requirements for its repetition, as long there was a management plan. One of the more pleasant results of this meeting was the verbal permission from all the participants for Doctors without Borders to place water tanks so that drinkable water is available and health problems that can prove fatal for refuges can be avoided. Until suitable facilities are available, Doctors without Borders provides the people with drinkable water and dry foods38.

Despite the meetings and the local community’s calls to the Central Administration, there was no change while the problem worsens beyond control with the abrupt rise of refugees arriving to the N. Aegean islands. At times the problem seems to be spreading to the surrounding areas of the Kilkis Prefecture39.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki has been transformed into a temporary station between arrival and exit from Greece. In June, there is a large number of people concentrated there that all aim to cross the border, but there is an equally large number of people who fail to cross FYROM and return, one way or another, to Greece40.

38 http://tvxs.gr/news/ellada/fotoreportaz-oi-giatroi-xoris-synora-stoys- egklobismenoysmetanastes-tis-eidomenis 39 http://www.unhcr.gr/nea/artikel/29a551fb261c8d3a3d053a53abeb42d3/xepernoyn-tis-48000- o.html http://www.unhcr.gr/nea/artikel/abe572e525b661a88172fe96b78fa554/nea-ekthesi-tis-ypat.html http://www.unhcr.gr/nea/artikel/32f0d2e5a68b266cde1103ac63958311/i-ypati-armosteia-p- 8.html 40 http://www.alterthess.gr/content/prosfyges-stin-plateia-aristoteloys-enas-syntomos-stathmos- gia-megalotaxidi http://www.unhcr.gr/nea/artikel/a1d5f037cc7625e5853962e925dfe188/ayxanoyn-oi-kindyno.html 32

Those people stay in Aristotelous Square, behind the courtrooms, in train stations, while witnesses note that people are concentrated in the KTEL area, in abandoned buildings previously factory storage. There is also a high number of people whose financial resources allow them to stay in hotels, resulting in the total number of the refugee population being unclear.

At first glance it is estimated that there over 300 people in Thessaloniki, though the number cannot be calculated with certainty given that the population is spread out in various parts, shifts constantly and diligently does not visit services and organizations. Under these conditions, calculating the exact number of refugee that are temporarily in Thessaloniki is impossible.

Almost all of the rooms in budget hotels were occupied by refugees. Many women with their children were welcomed at the guest house of the Order of the Monks of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and some men traveling alone were welcomed at Municipality’s homeless shelters. Families had set up tents at the Aristotelous Square and on small parks across the Workers Center of Thessaloniki.

This situation is now visible, and local residents, teams, initiatives and local actions have made many efforts to manage it. People can be found daily either in hotels, in squares or in other free spaces in the city. The constantly increasing influx and the pressures this exercises on the local government, has led to some temporary solutions, while discussions regarding more permanent solutions continue. The local residents’ and groups’ mobilization to support refugees is moving. Meals have begun being distributed every day at noon. After months of pressure, the Municipality fixed the communal taps, primarily at Aristotelous Square, which had not worked for many years. Chemical toilets were placed in the Aristotelous Square, since it seemed that the public toilets could not be used. Furthermore, the Day Center was further supported so as to be able to accommodate a larger number of people so that they can bathe, wash their clothes, etc. The above fall under temporary measures the Municipality41 is taking.

41 http://www.rthess.gr/articles_det.asp?artid=66051 33

With the exception of the few who manage to cross FYROM each time, the refugee population, for a long period of time – when the possibilities for crossing are limited – are moving circularly between Greece and FYROM while simultaneously is supported by the population that leaves the island of N. Aegean. A characteristic example of this is running into people on the streets of Thessaloniki a few weeks after we met them during our first mission in Eidomeni, and visits from similar cases to the GCR offices in Athens and Thessaloniki, requesting support and aid.

Some of them, disappointed and understandably worn out from their failed attempts to cross FYROM, wish to apply for national protection in Greece. Their access so far is problematic. Since May 18th when access through Skype to the Regional Asylum Office of Thessaloniki began, few people have managed to have access.

More specifically at the Thessaloniki office, from May 18th until June 15th, 24 people have tried (among whom 2 large families), only 3 people were able to gain access however. During their visits to our offices but also through interactions with them on the street, we discovered that they are in urgent need of support for everything from basic necessities to factual information.

The information and news they receive come from smugglers or from their fellow country nationals, resulting in much confusion.

Reasons for this phenomenon

The general financial situation in the country, the shortages in housing facilities, shelter and sustenance, the problems with access to asylum procedures42, the Regional Asylum Office in Thessaloniki not operating, and the information that the central European countries support and protect refugees are some of the reasons that lead a person to make http://kilkistoday.gr/kilkis24/34678-sto- http://www.avgi.gr/article/5634255/protoboulia-tis-thessaloniki-anoixti-poli-gia-tous-prosfuges 42 http://www.unhcr.gr/fileadmin/Greece/Extras/Greece/2015_GR_R.pdf 34 this decision. The above reasons are extracted both from refugee testimonies but also from information on the situation that persists in the country43.

Throughout the duration of the mission (April 2015), around 300 people were identified in the general area of the Municipality of Paionia, some on the countryside, some that had just arrived. Through conversing with them we discovered that they are Afghan nationals, that have lived in Greece for many years and are either waiting for asylum, or their asylum process has been already completed and they are searching for a way to try and build their life elsewhere.

B., an Afghan national, with his wife and 4 underage children ages 10, 8, 3 ½, and 4 months, requested asylum but the evaluation of their request was interrupted by the Attica Division for Foreigners. In 2011, their process was stopped while they requested an appeals process but until that time there was no decision regarding their request and they have since remained without legal documents, making everyday life in Greece impossible.

Some had cards noting that they were in the process of requesting asylum (pink cards) for years, but they had despaired waiting to be summoned to the second level committees at P. Other has not been correctly informed as to which point they were in the process and thinking that it had finished were trying to leave.

M., and Afghan national, left Afghanistan in 2008. When he reached Greece, he did not have access to the Division for Foreigners. Disappointed, he left Athens without requesting asylum and did agricultural work in rural areas for his livelihood.

With the change in law regarding detention, He was unfortunate enough to be arrested.

After 12 months in detention, he was requested asylum and examined by the Independent Echelon of Amygdaleza. His request was quickly denied and was called to an appeals

43 http://www.unhcr.gr/fileadmin/Greece/Extras/Greece/UNHCR-CoA-Greece-2014-EL.pdf 35 committee, where he was led and examined while detained. His request was denied again. He stayed in detention for almost 2 years without ever understanding why his request was denied. In 2014, and without any legal or other assistance, he requested asylum again, this time to the Asylum Services. He was put in jail so that to continue the process and the regional asylum office of Attica ultimately denied his request.

With regard to new arrivals, the majority of which Syrian, most are misinformed. Some did not know of the new faster process that had been adopted specifically for Syrians, others had heard somewhere that the law had changed and that they would be allowed to go wherever they wanted.

With regard to the asylum procedures in Greece, everyone had a negative view. They declared that access was impossible, excessively time consuming and as such disappointing. Whoever decides to stay in Greece will have to find a way to reach Athens and there, try through Skype or through waiting in line many times so as to file a request.

“I was outside of the Asylum Services for two months. I managed to get into the building two times and they sent them away, telling me to call on Skype. I got frustrated I have no future here. Two months on squares and benches. I came to Thessaloniki and I have been trying form May 18th every Monday through Skype to have access and nothing. I’m serious I’m leaving today and it’s the last time you’ll see me…” A., Syrian, who has tried to cross the border 9 times – 8/6/2015

J., a Palestinian national from Syria came to the Thessaloniki office during the same period, wounded after a conflict at the border.

“From the moment I came to Greece, they told me on the island…not to stay here there is no future. I tried to ask for asylum in Athens but I did not have access. My dignity does not allow me to wait to ask for protection like I’m waiting for rations at camp. I felt less than an animal. X told me to walk together and see where we go, wherever we reach. I

36 tried tens of times. I have spent all my money and I’m trying by myself, I know the dangers, but war behind me, war in front of me.”

The fact that the Regional Asylum Office of Thessaloniki did not record requests until the days of the mission was another source of frustration and despair.

All who had members of their family in Europe, mainly Syrians, knew that there was a process of reuniting members of a recognized refugee’s family, but they were not informed of the relevant process inside the Law 604/2013 (Dublin III). They thought that they needed to wait for their family member to be recognized as a refugee so that they can cross as members of a refugee’s family and that there was no other alternative until then. Understanding however, that reunification based on the Dublin Regulation requires asylum requests to be done in Greece, they excluded the possibility solely based on that reason.

M.T., a 15-year-old from Syria has been in Greece for 8 months. He passed from an island in the Aegean accompanied by his uncle and he tried to reach Holland to his father, an asylum seeker. He and his uncle tried to cross the border to FYROM many times. At some point they were separated, his uncle managed to cross while M returned to Greece alone after the FYROM authorities ripped his papers. We identified him at the countryside, where he was staying with another family member, R, and her three underage children and were all waiting for the moment when they could cross.

M. and his father were waiting for the latter’s recognition of his refugee status so that he can call him to Holland. The process turned out to be more time consuming than expected, resulting in his father deciding that M. make the journey from FYROM alone. They were not aware of the Dublin process that could take place from Greece as well and he had not talked to his father for days, as he did not have a way to call him. We explained the process to him and to R. and they listened in relief that there was another way for M. We communicated with his father at that time but it was clear that he did not trust what we were saying.

M. was asking how this can happen and at that point, everyone present became upset when we realized that, without official documentation, no one can volunteer to accompany M. to Thessaloniki so that the appropriate procedures regarding his host country can begin or to ensure he had access to the asylum process given the situation in PGA Thessaloniki. The only way would be for M. to be led to the police station of Eidomeni.

When his father heard this, he understandably refused to consent to such a process and decided to let his son try walking to FYROM. If he did not succeed, they would try to find a way with R. to reach Thessaloniki.

A few days later they came to the GCR office in Thessaloniki and a temporary solution for their stay was found. Despite all this, M.’s father had not faith in the Greek procedures and did not agree to start the reunification process in Greece. R. with her kids and M., clearly moved, scared, disappointed and sad, said goodbye to the members of the organization, apologizing44.

These are common questions. If they requested asylum in Greece, would they have access or would they manage to be recognized as refugees before they exhaust their financial resources? How effective are the reunification procedures after their recognition? How and what type of work would they be able to ensure for themselves and their children, what type of education and living conditions would they be able to provide for their children, given the situation in Greece and given the absence of material necessities both for asylum seekers and for those who are recognized refugees.

Under these conditions, they themselves do not see any sort of future in Greece and admit that they prefer all the dangers that await them at the border to risk a better future, rather than stay in Greece since it is certain they will not be able build a life for themselves.

44 Μ. is one of the few lucky kids who managed to arrive safely to their destination. In May we located him and his father. We did not manage to contact R. and her children again. 38

Most are determined to try as many times as is necessary. In the beginning of May they communicated with GCR office in Thessaloniki POLYKASTROU, with regard to two blind twins with Afghan nationality who were unable to cross the border but they insisted that they would be able to manage if they tried again. Despite efforts to convince them otherwise, the two young men did not change their minds.

I., an Iraq national, had cut his leg above his knee. He had just reached Greece and along with others was nearing Paionias Municipality, just that day. There was no room for them to stay and they would sleep on the couch of a hotel.

“We get lost, we spend our money in an attempt to leave and save ourselves…We know that Greece is going through a crisis and cannot help us. But we are coming here out of necessity; it is our entry into Europe, a continent that can protect us. May I suggest something and you can send it wherever you can so that it can be heard? Let us pay as long as we are protected. We can pay UN to do our papers. Or else we can pay the Greek government so that it can try to give us housing, food and protection.”

Especially Syrians, most of which are high school and college graduates that disposed of every belonging they owned in order to reach Europe, flatly express that they do not feel safe in Greece. Despite the difficulties they are facing, they are determined to be “saved”, as they themselves say.

Instead of an Epilogue

“Why do you do this to us? You cannot even live here, why do you not let us leave? Why do you push us towards them? I was a surgeon’s assistant in Syria, now I was in war; I worked with blood all around me, in terrifying circumstances, left my wife and children behind so that I could bring them close to me in Europe. To save them. Doesn’t Europe know? Don’t you care? Should we all die? If you want, we will pay you, but protect us from them…

These people here want us for sale, for meat, they do not care if they kill us even on the street, only that they take our money. Why do you let them? I have been here for a month and have tried to cross 6 times, 1000 euros each times, 6 times… I have money for 3 more months in Greece.

Can you promise me that I will be granted asylum and will be recognized as a refugee in those 3 months? Can you promise me that I will find a job and I will be able to bring my children to finish their studies? Bring them to live where? On the street? What do you recommend?

You cannot help us. I am going to stay here; I will go alone as many times as needed until I get there. I will go by this road and yes, I may die, but those here however will find it from God.”