Interior Minister Yiannis Ragousis issued a written statement on Thursday night expressing his disagreement to Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos’ pledge to put pressure on the relevant ministries on the issue of the hunger-striking immigrants.
Venizelos, replying to Laos leader Yiorgos Karatzaferis, stressed that under no circumstances should the situation lead to the loss of a human life and added that the issue at stake is a major humanitarian one.
Ragousis stated that no member of the government should publicly comment on the case, because they lack knowledge of all the details.
He added that the government is concerned with safeguarding the lives of the hunger strikers.
Ragousis also asked whether Venizelos proposes the legalisation of the illegal immigrants.
The 250-plus migrants on hunger strike in central Athens on Friday apparently rejected the government’s offer of a six-month ‘toleration status’ allowed under EU migration laws, saying it did not meet their demand for full legalisation.
(source: ana-mpa)
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