Amnesty International has described as “deeply alarming” the Greek government’s move to round up and detain irregular migrants and asylum-seekers, including those suspected of carrying infectious diseases such as HIV.
Those considered vulnerable to such diseases, based on their country of origin, poor living conditions, occupation as sex workers or their drug use, will be targeted.
“These deeply alarming measures specifically target the most vulnerable people based on discriminatory criteria,” said Jezerca Tigani of Amnesty International.
She urged the Greek authorities to withdraw such measures immediately as they would only exacerbate the “stigmatization” of migrants and asylum-seekers in the country.
The Greek authorities recently announced plans to establish a mumber of immigration detention centers where irregular migrants arrested in sweep operations in Athens will be held for deportation.
Tigani reminded Athens that “immigration-related detention is used only as a last resort, and arresting irregular migrants without seeking any alternative measures violates Greece’s international obligations.”
“It is especially concerning that those eligible for international protection also face being detained. Migrants and asylum-seekers are not criminals and should not be treated as such,” she said.
There are no appropriate facilities at Greece’s borders for the identification of those in need of international protection, such as torture victims and unaccompanied or separated asylum-seeking children.
(source: rttnews)
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