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I have been back in Lesbos for a few days now after being away from the field for a year and looking at the #refugeecrisis from a more academic perspective. Here are my first impressions:
#Thread on #refugeesGR in #MoriaCamp
#Thread on #refugeesGR in #MoriaCamp
In the 5 years I have been reporting the #refugeesGR crisis in southern eastern Mediterranean, this is the first time I feel scared. Not because people are scary but because the situation is fluid, changes rapidly and there is no plan from higher up - at least a long term plan
People from either side have nothing left to lose because they have already lost everything. #RefugeesGR and locals.
#RefugeesGR have been living in an open air prison, in shameful conditions that will have long term impacts on them. The trauma created but prolonged stagnation is very much disregarded by policy makers.
Moria Locals have every right to be angry because they were forced into a situation they didn't want, they were lied to about initial camp plans and received no support from anyone.
However, their struggle has been taken over and in cases influenced by fascists some of whom were/are active in neonazi activities on the island. When one presents themselves as the brave saviour of your financial and emotional stability and your national pride you will join them
Or at least you won't tell them to leave from the barricades.
The current right wing government seems unable and unwilling to manage the crisis. The destroyed camp, however, works in their benefit as their plan to build prison - like camps will go one step further and their nationalist and fear focuses rhetoric will work to their benefit.
The EU seems unable to manage the crisis. Which is not surprising because the EU could never manage a humanitarian crisis successfully (see Balkans in the 90s)
The fact that they announced they will pay part of the demanded budget to rebuild a camp is concerning. Who will pay for the rest?
This is a European crisis caused by European policies ( #EUTurkeyDeal - Hotspot Approach)
This is a European crisis caused by European policies ( #EUTurkeyDeal - Hotspot Approach)
In a more geopolitical level, Turkey could potentially gain from this instability in order to receive what they ask from the EU, all they have to do is stop patrolling the waters.
#RefugeesGR and the island of Lesbos will be the ones to endure such a shameful Greek and EU mismanagement if the EU doesn't change its mind about providing safe passage and relocation to people who flew conflict.
