{"id":12525,"date":"2022-01-28T11:30:45","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T09:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/nees-domes-fylakes-sto-aigaio\/"},"modified":"2022-02-05T12:02:07","modified_gmt":"2022-02-05T10:02:07","slug":"new-prison-structures-in-the-aegean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/new-prison-structures-in-the-aegean\/","title":{"rendered":"Massive protests by islanders are challenging the government&#8217;s narrative on new prison structures in the Aegean"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"12525\" class=\"elementor elementor-12525 elementor-12504\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a730bd5 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a730bd5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-449fe27\" data-id=\"449fe27\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e24331 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6e24331\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Massive protests by islanders are challenging the government's narrative on new prison structures in the Aegean.\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b4e3f44 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b4e3f44\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d342c73\" data-id=\"d342c73\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2794668 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2794668\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large\">Massive protests by islanders are challenging the government's narrative on new prison structures in the Aegean.<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-03463fc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"03463fc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f968dbd\" data-id=\"f968dbd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02f4fff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02f4fff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><b>Two years after the violent crackdown on citizens in Chios and Lesvos who oppose the transformation of the islands into prisons for refugees and migrants, dissatisfaction with the refugee response is growing. The narrative of successful management of refugees (border security, decongestion of the islands, fast registration and identification procedures) promoted by the government does not seem to convince the islanders, who see huge new structures being built despite the decrease in the refugee population on the islands. Legal disputes, dozens of decisions of political groups, bodies and mass peaceful demonstrations unite people across different political positions once again against the government policy and the EU&#8217;s dictates for &#8220;superstructures&#8221; on the Eastern Aegean islands.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3b6a4f3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3b6a4f3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c0d68d0\" data-id=\"c0d68d0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02f041f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02f041f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Brussels seems to be satisfied with figures showing a significant reduction in the number of refugees residing on the islands and with a drop in arrivals. However, ongoing allegations directly connect such figures to the practice of illegal push backs, often <a href=\"https:\/\/tvxs.gr\/news\/ellada\/nea-peristatika-paranomon-epanaproothiseon-se-ikaria-kai-samo-kataggelies-katoikon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">witnessed<\/span><\/a> by islanders themselves. In many of the islands where residents\u2019 resistance has been ignored in the past, the climate has become explosive once again. Residents in Samos are shocked to see the authorities ignoring even court decisions regarding the prohibition on refugees\u2019 exit from the new superstructure. The EU insists on a policy of confinement of asylum seekers on the islands, while the Minister of Migration and Asylum himself <a href=\"https:\/\/migration.gov.gr\/notis-mitarakis-anamenoyme-apo-tin-eyropaiki-enosi-na-kanei-perissotera-gia-tin-efarmogi-tis-koinis-dilosis-ee-toyrkias-kathe-lemvos-poy-anachorei-apo-tis-toyrkikes-aktes-apotelei-paravia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">speaks<\/span><\/a> of a violation and failure of the EU-Turkey Statement. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-901e6e9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"901e6e9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-72cc703\" data-id=\"72cc703\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4948175 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4948175\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/michalis-psimitis-interview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Interview | Michalis Psimitis &#8220;The anti-immigration policy makes the islands an arena of conflicts and tensions&#8221;<\/a><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-caa9c41 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"caa9c41\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-270bb1d\" data-id=\"270bb1d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7923c92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"7923c92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-table\" data-src=\"visualisation\/8513033\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-03ab3d6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"03ab3d6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a3fe680\" data-id=\"a3fe680\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5efed7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5efed7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"p1\"><b>Mass reactions on Chios and Lesvos<\/b><\/h2><p class=\"p1\">Although the regional authority and the municipal authorities on Chios and Lesvos are affiliated to the ruling party, which would allow the Ministry&#8217;s planning to proceed uninhibited, the situation shows a radical distancing on the part of several officials regarding planning for the new centres. The regional authority is opposed to the construction of new centres on the islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politischios.gr\/politiki\/k-moutzouris-i-hios-apotelei-paradeigma-gia-ti-lesvo-vinteo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">supports<\/span><\/a> the demands and protests of the residents.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">On Chios, the Municipal Council has unanimously or by majority vote adopted more than ten decisions in the last three years, which set as a red line the creation of a facility for up to 500 people only for registration and identification.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">On Lesvos, the Municipal Council accepted the proposal to build a new centre in Vastria by a <a href=\"https:\/\/kede.gr\/me-oriaki-pleiopsifia-to-dimotiko-symvoulio-mytilinis-tachthike-yper-tis-dimiourgias-neas-domis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">narrow majority<\/span><\/a>, amid complaints about the decision-making process.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">The atmosphere on the islands has been particularly loaded since the beginning of this year, when mass reactions started on Chios against the construction of the new Closed Controlled Facility (<i>\u039a\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ae \u0395\u03bb\u03b5\u03b3\u03c7\u03cc\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03b7 \u0394\u03bf\u03bc\u03ae<\/i>,<i> <\/i>KED). In total there were three points of protest: in the area of Tholos, where the KED is expected to be built; in Mesta (south port) where an overnight protest <a href=\"https:\/\/astraparis.gr\/sta-mesta-to-proto-krisimo-kras-test-gia-to-tholos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">took place<\/span><\/a> on 5 January with a significant presence of citizens until the dawn of the next day, thus preventing the landing of machinery (excavators) of the contractor company GEK\/TERNA from the ship Pelagitis. On the morning of Thursday 6 January, another attempt was made to land the machinery at the main port of Chios, but the protesters did not even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alithia.gr\/tv\/eidiseis\/mploko-kai-sto-limani-tis-hioy-gia-ton-pelagiti\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">allow<\/span><\/a> the ship to dock.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">The ship was ordered to continue to Lesvos. There too, citizens organised to prevent the machines from landing. A protest was held at the port of Mytilene and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.efsyn.gr\/ellada\/koinonia\/326436_se-xera-peftei-shedio-mitaraki-kai-sti-lesbo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">reaction<\/span><\/a> of many actors was immediate.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-633e7cb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"633e7cb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a50acb9\" data-id=\"a50acb9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-638d274 elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"638d274\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"The island cannot bear another camp. Islands are not prisons,\" a resident of Lesvos who participated in the protest told Refugee Support Aegean (RSA).\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-70fc645 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"70fc645\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b3e80d7\" data-id=\"b3e80d7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b3b590e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b3b590e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f8d65d\" data-id=\"3f8d65d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01a9f31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"01a9f31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">The ship headed to Thessaloniki without disembarking the machinery.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">On Chios, <a href=\"https:\/\/astraparis.gr\/minyma-anypochoritoy-agona-esteile-i-laiki-syneleysi-sto-tholos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">residents<\/span><\/a> had already made their intentions known since the summer and had started patrolling the area around the Tholos area. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ertnews.gr\/perifereiakoi-stathmoi\/voreio_aigaio\/dimotiko-symvoylio-d-chioy-exodika-kai-kinitopoiiseis-gia-ti-nea-domi-sto-tholos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">Municipal Council of Chios<\/span><\/a> and dozens of <a href=\"https:\/\/astraparis.gr\/porta-apo-foreis-tis-chioy-sto-diadiktyako-tropari-toy-mitaraki\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">unions<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politischios.gr\/politiki\/mikri-domi-mi-monimis-paramonis-to-minuma-ton-foreon-tis-hiou-se-mitaraki-kai-kuvernisi-vinteo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">bodies<\/span><\/a> of the island have opposed the construction of the KED and are <a href=\"https:\/\/astraparis.gr\/aseveia-stin-dikaiosyni-katalogizoyn-stin-kyvernisi-tee-kai-dikigorikos-syllogos-chioy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">claiming<\/span><\/a> in court proceedings a significant part of the land where the new centre is planned to be built. Local bodies agree only on a centre for registration and identification of refugees with a capacity of up to 500 people. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\">Similar reactions come from Lesvos residents <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politikalesvos.gr\/oloi-enantion-toy-neoy-symfonoy-vrontofonazei-ochi-oli-i-lesvos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">against<\/span><\/a> the construction of a KED in the area of Vastria. In fact, a large part of the land where the new structure is planned to be built has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stonisi.gr\/post\/14750\/gyrw-gyrw-dasos-kai-sto-meson-kyt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">designated<\/span><\/a> as a forest area and is close to a landfill site.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">The Fire Service of the island <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ertnews.gr\/perifereiakoi-stathmoi\/voreio_aigaio\/g-mpoyrnoys-i-kyvernisi-apaxionei-toys-prostates-toy-fysikoy-mas-ploytoy-stin-pyrosvestiki-kai-tin-dieythynsi-dason\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">opposes<\/span><\/a> the construction of the new structure in this area due to the high risks of fire in the adjacent forest area, while a Forest Service opinion considered the construction of a new fire zone outside the new structure a prerequisite.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Despite the above, the government decided to ignore the voices of the islanders and proceed with its plan for the construction of the two superstructures on Chios and Lesvos. The president of the Chios NODE (the ruling party&#8217;s branch on the island), in an attempt to convince the islanders of the need to build the closed structure, recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news247.gr\/koinonia\/chios-ratsistiko-paralirima-stelechoys-tis-nd-paromoiazei-toys-metanastes-me-ton-koronoio.9494059.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">went<\/span><\/a> so far as to compare migration flows to the coronavirus and the structures to the vaccine. In a speech given on Chios immediately after the protests, the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarakis, tried to convince the residents that the creation of the KED would bring a solution to migration. During the speech, hundreds of citizens <a href=\"https:\/\/astraparis.gr\/quot-astakos-quot-to-kentro-gia-tin-omilia-mitaraki\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">participated<\/span><\/a> in a motorcade to protest against the government&#8217;s plans. In light of the developments, an extension of one month (until 18 February 2022) has already been granted to the contractor GEK\/TERNA by decision of the General Secretary for Migration Policy, Patroklos Georgiadis.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7098011 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7098011\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-499433a\" data-id=\"499433a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f278d99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f278d99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"p1\"><b>The first &#8220;EU golden cage&#8221;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h2><p class=\"p1\">In Samos too, the reaction of the local authorities was essentially ignored. In September, the inauguration of first KED on the island was lauded by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, EU officials and the resounding absence of the entire local government and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ertnews.gr\/perifereiakoi-stathmoi\/voreio_aigaio\/samos-antidraseis-gia-ta-egkainia-toy-neoy-kyt-sti-zervoy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">protests<\/span><\/a> of stakeholders outside the new structure. In November 2019, the Mayor of Eastern Samos George Stantzos and the Municipal Council had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samos24.gr\/45985-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">announced<\/span><\/a> their resignation in response to the government&#8217;s plans to create a closed camp. Northern Aegean Regional Governor, Kostas Moutzouris, had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samos24.gr\/%25CE%25BC%25CE%25BF%25CF%2585%25CF%2584%25CE%25B6%25CE%25BF%25CF%258D%25CF%2581%25CE%25B7%25CF%2582-%25CE%25B7-%25CF%2583%25CE%25AC%25CE%25BC%25CE%25BF%25CF%2582-%25CE%25B8%25CE%25B1-%25CE%25AD%25CF%2580%25CF%2581%25CE%25B5%25CF%2580%25CE%25B5-%25CE%25BD%25CE%25B1-%25CE%25AD%25CF%2587%25CE%25B5%25CE%25B9-%25CE%25BA\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">stated<\/span><\/a> at the time that capacity on Samos should be for 1,700 people. A superstructure was ultimately developed on 154 acres of land in the remote location of &#8220;Zervou&#8221; in the Municipality of Eastern Samos, with a <a href=\"https:\/\/migration.gov.gr\/en\/ked-samoy-kleisti-elegchomeni-domi-samoy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">capacity<\/span><\/a> of 3,000 people and under maximum security conditions. The entire facility is surrounded by a double NATO-type security fence. <b>No one can dispute the obvious improvement in living conditions, even if these have not really been tested under increased numbers of residents and in times of crisis. However, this does not alter their true character as dehumanisation centres where asylum seekers and refugees are held in maximum security prisons for an unknown period of time, at a distance from local communities. <\/b>At the entrance, control systems such as turnstiles, magnetic gates, x-rays, two-factor access control system (identity and fingerprint) <a href=\"https:\/\/migration.gov.gr\/en\/ked-samoy-kleisti-elegchomeni-domi-samoy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">have been installed<\/span><\/a> for controlled entry and exit from the structure even for staff, thereby creating a dystopian <a href=\"https:\/\/www.efsyn.gr\/ellada\/dikaiomata\/328425_mia-dystopia-gia-prosfyges-kai-ergazomenoys-sti-samo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">situation<\/span><\/a> of denial of freedom and privacy for refugees and employees. Additionally, a Closed Surveillance System (CCTV) has been installed throughout the structure which uses &#8220;smart&#8221; software to promptly alert of any emergencies and to transmit notifications and images to the Local Incident Centre, to the Centre for Management of Incidents &amp; Emergencies Athens and to the Control Centres of other involved bodies.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Recently, civil society organisations and solidarity groups on the island have expressed their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amnesty.gr\/news\/press\/article\/24772\/ellada-paranomi-kratisi-aitoysonoynton-asylo-se-neo-camp-hrimatodotoymeno\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">concerns<\/span><\/a> about the illegal detention regime that has been imposed since mid-November on those who do not have an asylum seeker card after a rejection decision or on new arrivals who have not yet been granted such a card.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>While on 17 December the first-instance Administrative Court of Syros <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcr.gr\/el\/news\/press-releases-announcements\/item\/1867-paranomo-ekrine-to-dioikitiko-protodikeio-syrou-to-metro-apagorefsis-eksodou-se-afgano-aitoynta-asylo-apo-tin-nea-kleisti-elegxomeni-domi-k-e-d-zervoy-samo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">ruled<\/span><\/a> that the prohibition on an Afghan asylum seeker from leaving the new structure was illegal, the denial of exit for those without an active asylum seeker card continues, according to the local solidarity group &#8220;Movement for Human Rights &#8211; Solidarity with Refugees&#8221;. In a statement on 13 January, the group noted, among others,the impact of this regime on refugees:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9e6f05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e9e6f05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"767\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/protest-lesvos-KED-2.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-12515\" alt=\"\u03a3\u03c4\u03b9\u03b3\u03bc\u03b9\u03cc\u03c4\u03c5\u03c0\u03bf \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7 \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03bc\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03c5\u03c1\u03af\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u039b\u03ad\u03c3\u03b2\u03bf\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/protest-lesvos-KED-2.png 767w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/protest-lesvos-KED-2-300x243.png 300w, https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/protest-lesvos-KED-2-400x324.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Photo from the protest on Lesvos<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-66aa4d7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"66aa4d7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-355555a\" data-id=\"355555a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fd3042 elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"9fd3042\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"Their psychological situation, according to their testimonies, is bad. Some are dropping out of school, others are seeking psychiatric medication. If the Governor unlawfully took the measure as stated in the decision [from the Syros Administrative Court of First Instance], why does the illegality continue? How can we tolerate the torture of people, young people, children, by putting them in barbed wire next to us?\"\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a9d13c7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a9d13c7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bcd6b28\" data-id=\"bcd6b28\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69fb54f elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"69fb54f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;justified&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;ideal_row_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:200,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ideal_row_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:150,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ideal_row_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:150,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/\u039a\u0395\u0394-\u03a3\u0391\u039c\u039f\u03a5.jpeg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"69fb54f\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"\u039a\u0395\u0394 \u03a3\u0391\u039c\u039f\u03a5 \u03a0\u0391\u039d\u039f\u03a1\u0391\u039c\u0391\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTI1MDYsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjJcLzAxXC9cdTAzOWFcdTAzOTVcdTAzOTQtXHUwM2EzXHUwMzkxXHUwMzljXHUwMzlmXHUwM2E1LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2OWZiNTRmIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/\u039a\u0395\u0394-\u03a3\u0391\u039c\u039f\u03a5-300x225.jpeg\" data-width=\"300\" data-height=\"225\" aria-label=\"\u039a\u0395\u0394 \u03a3\u0391\u039c\u039f\u03a5 \u03a0\u0391\u039d\u039f\u03a1\u0391\u039c\u0391\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/\u039a\u0395\u0394-\u039a\u03a9-\u03a0\u0391\u039d\u039f\u03a1\u0391\u039c\u0391.jpeg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"69fb54f\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"\u039a\u0395\u0394-\u039a\u03a9-\u03a0\u0391\u039d\u039f\u03a1\u0391\u039c\u0391\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTI1MDgsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjJcLzAxXC9cdTAzOWFcdTAzOTVcdTAzOTQtXHUwMzlhXHUwM2E5LVx1MDNhMFx1MDM5MVx1MDM5ZFx1MDM5Zlx1MDNhMVx1MDM5MVx1MDM5Y1x1MDM5MS5qcGVnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiNjlmYjU0ZiJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/\u039a\u0395\u0394-\u039a\u03a9-\u03a0\u0391\u039d\u039f\u03a1\u0391\u039c\u0391-300x169.jpeg\" data-width=\"300\" data-height=\"169\" aria-label=\"\u039a\u0395\u0394-\u039a\u03a9-\u03a0\u0391\u039d\u039f\u03a1\u0391\u039c\u0391\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/\u039a\u0395\u0394-\u039b\u0395\u03a1\u039f\u03a5-\u03a0\u0391\u039d\u039f\u03a1\u0391\u039c\u0399\u039a\u0397.jpeg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"69fb54f\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"\u039a\u0395\u0394-\u039b\u0395\u03a1\u039f\u03a5-\u03a0\u0391\u039d\u039f\u03a1\u0391\u039c\u0399\u039a\u0397\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTI1MTAsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9yc2FlZ2Vhbi5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjJcLzAxXC9cdTAzOWFcdTAzOTVcdTAzOTQtXHUwMzliXHUwMzk1XHUwM2ExXHUwMzlmXHUwM2E1LVx1MDNhMFx1MDM5MVx1MDM5ZFx1MDM5Zlx1MDNhMVx1MDM5MVx1MDM5Y1x1MDM5OVx1MDM5YVx1MDM5Ny5qcGVnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiNjlmYjU0ZiJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/\u039a\u0395\u0394-\u039b\u0395\u03a1\u039f\u03a5-\u03a0\u0391\u039d\u039f\u03a1\u0391\u039c\u0399\u039a\u0397-300x169.jpeg\" data-width=\"300\" data-height=\"169\" aria-label=\"\u039a\u0395\u0394-\u039b\u0395\u03a1\u039f\u03a5-\u03a0\u0391\u039d\u039f\u03a1\u0391\u039c\u0399\u039a\u0397\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-866a40d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"866a40d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em>Panoramic photos of the KED in Samos, Kos and Leros: <a href=\"https:\/\/migration.gov.gr\/en\/ris\/perifereiakes-monades\/kyt-domes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ministry of Migration and Asylum<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-774d7d0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"774d7d0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-38a33f0\" data-id=\"38a33f0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f86c616 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f86c616\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"p1\"><b>Structures isolated from urban areas on Leros and Kos<\/b><\/h2><p class=\"p1\">On 27 November, the KED on Kos and Leros were inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarakis, and the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas. On Leros too, there had been opposition from the local authorities against the construction of this structure from the outset. The Mayor of Leros, Michalis Kolias, did not attend the inauguration of the new structure as a sign of protest. In January 2021, he appealed to the Council of State against the construction of the new centre. The decision on the case is pending. &#8220;<i>The money spent on the construction of this centre could have been given for infrastructure projects in Leros. For the past year we have had almost zero inflows. What is the new centre for? I am in favour of creating a small structure, not such a monstrosity in a place for which we did not even consent and which even has detention facilities<\/i>\u201d, Kolias told RSA. The new KED on <a href=\"https:\/\/migration.gov.gr\/en\/inauguration-of-new-closed-controlled-access-centers-of-leros-and-kos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">Leros<\/span><\/a> is developed on an area of about 60 acres in Lepida, on a hillside 6 km away from Agia Marina, the capital of the island.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It has capacity for 2,140 people and 29 people currently live there, while the current number of staff seems to be 300, despite zero arrivals. 35.3 million \u20ac (including VAT) have been allocated to its construction.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Similarly, the new KED on <a href=\"https:\/\/migration.gov.gr\/en\/inauguration-of-new-closed-controlled-access-centers-of-leros-and-kos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">Kos<\/span><\/a> is established on a very large area of about 90 acres, on the site of the former &#8220;Makrigiannis&#8221; camp, on both sides of the existing structure in the village of Pyli. It has capacity for 2,140 persons and it is not yet operational. Similar to the one in Samos, it has double NATO-type fencing, as well as turnstiles with card readers, using fingerprints, in the distinct sections of the structure for controlled entry and exit. Provision has also been made for the installation of Closed Surveillance System (CCTV).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\">The new structure in Kos cost 39.36 million \u20ac, including VAT. Residents contacted by RSA speak of a &#8220;no-go area&#8221; within a radius of several metres around the structure. This is a remote area about 15 kilometres from the town of Kos. There had been strong reactions from local residents in 2016 outside the &#8220;Makrigiannis&#8221; camp in Pyli where the Reception and Identification Centre (RIC) was being built. Then Mayor of Kos had sent a letter to then Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ertnews.gr\/eidiseis\/ellada\/ekklisi-tou-dimarchou-ko-pros-ton-prothipourgo-gia-ektonosi-tis-entasis-sto-nisi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">requesting<\/span><\/a> the revocation of the decision to create a registration centre on the island and urging the government to discuss the Municipality of Kos proposal to create only one registration site on the island and for those registered to leave within 24 hours. Despite the protests, the RIC was built. In 2019, it was overcrowded, with refugees living in squalid conditions and trapped on the island under geographical restrictions based on the <a href=\"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/eu-turkey-deal-5-years-of-shame\/\"><span class=\"s1\">toxic EU-Turkey deal<\/span><\/a>. In December 2019, the Municipal Council voted against the expansion of the existing structure. As a sign of protest, neither the Mayor nor any member of the Municipal Council attended the recent inauguration of the KED.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The fact that the new closed structure is located in a non-tourist area and that refugees are not visible in Kos town seems to have eased tensions for the moment. The presence of the structure seems to be tolerated so far by the local community to the extent that scenes from the past with increased arrivals are not repeated.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>However, there is dissatisfaction regarding the huge sums spent on the creation of the new structure despite the immediate needs to be met in order to improve the infrastructure on the island, including first and foremost the island&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dimokratiki.gr\/02-06-2021\/ta-sovara-provlimata-leitoyrgias-toy-nosokomeioy-tis-ko-sto-epikentro-erotisis-toy-n-santorinioy-kai-toy-a-xanthoy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">hospital<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fc04d93 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fc04d93\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-319ec0b\" data-id=\"319ec0b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-377a5bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"377a5bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><b>Against this backdrop, six years after the implementation of the failed EU-Turkey deal that has only brought misery to the refugee population and suffering to island communities, it is clear that the Greek authorities and EU institutions must respect the local communities and the sensitive geopolitical situation of the islands and not create polarisation and social divisions by exploiting the xenophobic and racist reflexes fuelled by current policies.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two years after the violent crackdown on citizens in Chios and Lesvos who oppose the transformation of the islands into prisons for refugees and migrants, dissatisfaction with the refugee response is growing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":12529,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,141,250,8,137],"tags":[284,18],"class_list":{"0":"post-12525","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-publications","8":"category-detention-and-reception-conditions","9":"category-hotspots","10":"category-news-2","11":"category-topics","12":"tag-284","13":"tag-featured"},"menu_order":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12525"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12685,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12525\/revisions\/12685"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}