HERCULEAN TASK

While we’ve lately had our attention on the immigration hell close to home in Calais (see SchNEWS 686), the imposition of fortress Europe has led to the development of similar, and even worse, situations across the continent. Last week saw a No Borders camp descend on the Lesvos in an attempt to raise awareness of the plight of people detained in the Greeks island’s refugee detention facility.

Activists from all over Europe converged on the picturesque Aegean island, hoping to help clean out Europe’s dirty stables, Camp Pagani. In a converted warehouse originally designed to hold 250, over 1,200 people (200 or so of them being unaccompanied children) have been rounded up and herded in to be kept like cattle - all for daring to seek a better life.

Migrants attempting to enter Greece have been confronted with the armed pit-bulls of the shadowy Europe-wide border agency, the nattily corporately-named Frontex (see SchNEWS 676). Patrols continue to sweep the surrounding coast looking for any new boats full of desperate people, even as the space to imprison them is at bursting point.
Earlier in August, 160 incarcerated parentless-children went on hunger strike to demand their immediate freedom. All of them, some under 10, were detained in just one room, sharing one toilet and with many sleeping on the floor (video footage available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP2yT6EjBXo). These inhuman conditions had been withstood for months at a time, not to mention that detention of minors is of course illegal under Greek and International law.

The children were joined by over 900 other detainees demanding release and tension was rising as No Borders hit town. Their camp was welcomed by locals, especially the Bineio Squat, which provided a media centre and a meeting and recreational space. It was used as a platform to launch over a week’s worth of actions, including a rooftop occupation and a harbour boating critical mass which managed to drive a Frontex ship back out to the open sea.

Renewed protests a few days after the arrival of No Borders activists may have contributed to the release of some 250 detainees (told to get out of Fortress Europe within 30 days or else) shortly after – although it was no time for over celebrating as conditions remain dire and a new supply of inmates is never far from the gates.

The camp wound up earlier this week but, with 47 more minors going on hunger strike last Wednesday (26th), 4 also refusing water and with no medical support or hope in sight, it remains crucial to keep up the pressure on the authorities. No Borders have announced that they will return in 2010 and every year till Pagani is closed for good.

* See http://lesvos09.antira.info