Greece News

In Athens, Greece, thousands of demonstrators gathered to demand justice for the victims of the 2023 train disaster that resulted in 57 fatalities. The tragedy occurred when a passenger train, carrying 350 people, collided with a freight train near the village of Tempi. The impact caused the front carriages to ignite, leading to a high number of casualties primarily due to a fire involving prohibited chemicals on the cargo train rather than the collision itself. The protests featured the slogan "I don't have oxygen," highlighting the horrendous circumstances surrounding many deaths. The incident has sparked widespread criticism regarding railway safety standards and the government's handling of the investigation that followed. Tensions escalated as riot police clashed with protesters, employing tear gas while demonstrators hurled sticks and objects at officers. The ongoing demonstrations reflect deep-seated public outrage over safety issues in Greece's railway system and demand accountability from authorities in light of such a devastating incident.

Vital Hasson, a Jewish man from Thessaloniki, Greece, is emerging from historical obscurity as a controversial figure for his collaboration with the Nazi regime during World War II. Once part of a prominent Sephardic Jewish family known for their commitment to journalism and education, Hasson's choices starkly contrasted with his family’s values. After the German occupation of Greece in 1941, Hasson became the head of the Jewish police in Salonica, a position that granted him authority over the local Jewish community. Historical accounts reveal that he actively participated in hunting down Jews who were fleeing Nazi persecution. His actions included identifying young men for forced labor and inflicting severe cruelty upon fellow Jews in the ghetto established by the Nazis. Hasson's role in the deportation of approximately 48,000 Jews from Salonica to concentration camps, including Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, marked him as an infamous figure. Following the war, he was captured and tried for his crimes, resulting in a guilty verdict and execution in 1946—the only Jew in Europe to face such a fate for collaboration. The narrative of Vital Hasson serves as a reminder of the complex and often tragic nature of identity during wartime, illustrating that personal choices can diverge widely from community or familial heritage, sometimes leading to devastating consequences for others.

Recent investigations have revealed that the European Union-funded refugee camps in Greece, specifically in Samos, Kos, and Leros, operate under stringent surveillance measures that raise serious human rights concerns. Established in response to the 2020 refugee crisis, these camps are equipped with advanced technology, including AI-powered security cameras and drones that monitor residents continuously. In October 2023, Palestinian and Syrian refugees staged protests amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. During these demonstrations, security systems detected the unrest, triggering lockdowns without police intervention. Critics argue that the invasive surveillance violates residents' privacy rights and undermines fundamental freedoms as the camps impose strict internal regulations, with penalties ranging from food deprivation to expulsion. Interviews with residents highlight harsh living conditions, compounded by a lack of basic services despite the camps' technological focus. Reportedly, the facilities face disrepair and resource shortages while heavily investing in monitoring systems. Moreover, recent fines imposed by the Greek Data Protection Authority suggest systemic failures to comply with data protection regulations, drawing attention to a lack of transparency regarding data collection and usage practices. Rights defenders stress the importance of responsiveness towards humanitarian needs rather than stringent control measures in a context where refugee populations are already vulnerable. The situation in these camps illustrates broader issues surrounding migration policy in Europe.

In response to a severe two-year drought, Greece is exploring a proposal that would allow coastal hotels on its islands to fill swimming pools with seawater. The initiative is set to be debated in the Greek parliament, aiming to alleviate the pressure on the dwindling freshwater resources exacerbated by the upcoming tourist season. Elena Rapti, the deputy minister of tourism, emphasized the legislation's goals, stating that it would establish a framework for the extraction and pumping of seawater into hotel swimming pools. This measure is designed to conserve freshwater and redirect these vital resources to areas facing more significant shortages. The move comes amid growing concerns about the environmental impact such a policy could have on coastal ecosystems. Critics fear that discharging seawater back into the ocean could disrupt marine life. Additionally, Greece has faced increasing challenges with wildfires, linked to hotter and drier summers, which they attribute to climate change. As hotel occupancy increases during the peak tourist season, officials hope this approach will help manage the water crisis while accommodating the influx of visitors.

A tragic accident occurred on December 23 when Clara Thomann, a 33-year-old science teacher from Santa Barbara, fell 164 feet down a gorge while hiking with her partner, Elliot Finn, near the Preveli Monastery on the Greek Island of Crete. At the time of the fall, Ms. Thomann was six months pregnant. After Mr. Finn alerted emergency services, rescue teams worked tirelessly to retrieve her from the gorge, but Ms. Thomann sustained severe injuries, including chest and skull fractures. She was rushed to a local hospital, where, unfortunately, her unborn child did not survive the accident. Clara Thomann passed away on December 29 due to the extent of her injuries. In a statement, her family shared their heartache and announced their decision to donate her organs, including her liver, kidney, and corneas. They expressed that she was a dedicated teacher who loved helping others. Ms. Thomann's remains were cremated in Athens on January 3, and her ashes will be scattered across Greece and Turkey, celebrating her adventurous spirit. The principal of Dos Pueblos High School, Bill Woodard, paid tribute to Ms. Thomann, stating, "There are no words to describe the sadness we are all feeling." Her dedication to education and students has left a lasting impact on her community.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Greece systematically conducted illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers, ordering the country to compensate a woman who was forcibly expelled to Turkey despite her claims for protection. This landmark decision marks the first public condemnation by the ECHR regarding Greece's long-denied policies of deporting asylum seekers from the Evros region to Turkey. The court awarded the complainant, known only by her initials ARE, €20,000 in damages, citing strong evidence of a systematic practice of pushbacks by Greek authorities. The incident involved the woman, who fled political persecution as a member of the Gulen movement, being forcibly detained and deported under the cover of darkness in May 2019. The ruling has been hailed by human rights activists and legal representatives, who view it as a vindication for numerous victims of similar practices at the Greek-Turkish border. Marina Papamina from the Greek Council for Refugees described the judgment as a critical acknowledgment of the illegal pushback policy. In response, the Greek government, under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, reiterated its commitment to a "strict but fair" migration policy, despite persistent allegations of human rights violations. The ruling is expected to set a legal precedent, influencing numerous pending cases involving Greece's treatment of asylum seekers. As global conflicts and climate change continue to drive migration, advocates assert that this decision sends a strong message against unlawful border practices and will bolster efforts to hold Greece accountable.

The European Court of Human Rights has condemned Greece for the unlawful pushback of a Turkish refugee. In a ruling issued today, the court found that there were indications of a systematic practice of pushbacks, which constitutes a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights. The case revolves around a Turkish woman convicted in Turkey in 2019 for her association with the Gülen movement, an organization designated as terrorist by Ankara, which blames it for the failed coup attempt in 2016. The woman attempted to flee to Greece via the Evros River but was intercepted on Greek territory. According to her claims, once apprehended, her asylum application was not processed, and authorities confiscated her personal belongings. She was subsequently transported first in a truck and then by rubber boat back to the Turkish side of the river, where she was detained. The Court, operating independently from the EU, stated that such treatment was inhumane, emphasizing that authorities should not have returned her without addressing her asylum request or assessing the risks she faced in Turkey. Greece has been ordered to compensate the woman with 20,000 euros for the violation of her rights.