Comments on: Asylum in Greece Campaign

By: liban

liban — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:22:01 +0000

thank u papa duck i wish u to leave in pradice

By: Xenos

Xenos — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:53:21 +0000

The situation with asylum applications in the UK and elsewhere is terrible; the Greek case is slightly different, in that the authorities don’t even make a pretence of following law or correct procedure. Of course, the outcome for asylum-seekers is similar, whatever the mechanism by which rights are denied.

By: Black Looks

Black Looks — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:34:15 +0000

[...] Asylum in Greece Campaign .. The “LESS THAN 1%” comes from the ACTUAL number of successful asylum applications here. All design suggestions are very welcome. Please note: I will not be using this particular photograph because I don’t have copyright. Suggestions for images are also very welcome. [...]

By: deviousdiva

deviousdiva — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:30:47 +0000

@ George,
Yes, absolutely, human rights abuses all over the world. I have often (very often) written as much within my posts. As you know, some people are still hooked on the idea that this is a “Greek bashing” blog. I have tried to explain that the focus is on human rights issues in Greece as this is where I find myself at the moment and something that I care about deeply. It is also (hopefully) providing a one-stop resource for these issues written in English. There are many good Greek blogs covering them in Greek.

Thank you very much for your comment and link. Keep them coming in the comments. I will have frequent open threads where we can bring them up and discuss them.

By: George

George — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:17:20 +0000

DD,

I know we generally take Greece to task on issues of mistreatment concerning immigrants and their treatment when requesting asylum etc.

As an American, I do believe that overall the US system protects immigrants more than the Greek system.

However, with that in mind, I also find myself obliged to report on similar treatment (apparently) received by immigrants in Los Angeles in similar circumstances. I recently read an article in a Los Angeles magazine about the story of Victoria (formerly Victor) Arrellano and his mistreatment at the hands of Immigration officials in Los Angeles.

The good news is that the US Congress is looking into the matter and plight of immigrants in the USA.

For those who wish to read a quick study on Victoria’s case, here’s the brief Wikipedia article about her treatment and subsequent death while in US Custody.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Arellano

By: Fighting for Asylum at THIS IS NOT MY COUNTRY

Fighting for Asylum at THIS IS NOT MY COUNTRY — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:23:20 +0000

[...] can effect change in the way Greece, and even Europe, treats refugees Read the whole article here. Please also see my proposed asylum campaign. Technorati Tags:

By: deviousdiva

deviousdiva — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:39:34 +0000

@ Craig,
Wouldn’t this make a great poster shot for this campaign ?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/t.....420611932/

By: Craig

Craig — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 14:07:34 +0000

If you see any of my pictures which could be used in this, please let me know.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/teacherdudebbq2/

Craigs last blog post..Zoriah – Stories from behind the headlines

By: Papa Duck

Papa Duck — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:23:30 +0000

I would like to take this matter up in the UK. It would seem suspension is the best objective given the European Court action by the European Commission. For the benefit of people like me across the EU it might be useful if we knew what, if any, response there had been from the Permanent Representatives to which the ECRE letter was addressed. Should I contact ECRE in that regard or is it better you gather such info?

By: Διαγόρας (Diagoras)

Διαγόρας (Diagoras) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:20:13 +0000

Continued via email. Διαγόρας (Diagoras)s last blog post..One of the nicest TEDtalks I’ve seen

By: deviousdiva

deviousdiva — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:57:44 +0000

@ Diagoras of Melos

Thank you for your reply too. I think it is very clear to me now that I must do a Greek version of the whole campaign even though my readers are mainly English speakers. I really want to reach out to Greek bloggers because it is they who can really make the difference here.

And thank you for your offer of help. I can send you a photoshop file with the English text that can be replaced by the Greek text. I don’t have paintshop (mac user!) but I assume you would have photoshop so I don’t think there would be any problem with that ?

Once I get the right image I will put together the logo and send it to you. I am aiming to launch this sometime towards the end of September (giving people a chance to get back from holidays, back into the swing and back to blogging!) so there is no really rush for now.

At the moment I am looking for ideas and suggestions so thank you very much for yours.

deviousdivas last blog post..Asylum in Greece Campaign

By: Diagoras of Melos

Diagoras of Melos — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:29:18 +0000

Whether there should be a Greek version or not depends on who’s your audience. I think Greeks should be your audience, so, there you go. (I only deal with Greek issues on my Greek-language blog, so I would only post it there if it is in Greek. My English-language blog is below the radar, so who cares about it.)

I could help you with a Greek version in the following way: you can give me the completed final English version of the poster in a format which suits me, (worst case scenario as an image,) and I can give it back to you in Greek, (all else being as close as possible to the original,) again in a format which suits me (that would be a paintshop pro 9 file, or, worst case scenario, an image.)

I do not have any ideas to give you, but I will pass it on to some who may.

Diagoras of Meloss last blog post..One of the nicest TEDtalks I’ve seen

By: deviousdiva

deviousdiva — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:35:17 +0000

Thank you for your reply, Papa Duck. I would definitely seek help in a Greek version. My emphasis for the campaign would not be to call on other countries to avoid sending people back (The article refers to a “suspension”) but on the Greek government to stand up to its obligations towards asylum seekers. Other European countries must be getting pretty impatient with Greece and that is the only way I see for the situation to change here. For other European countries to put more pressure on Greece to act responsibly and humanely towards asylum seekers.

@Xenos

I am probably being completely over-optimistic that a blogger can do anything at all, given that the Greek government has ignored every other call for change. But I have to try you know ?

By: Xenos

Xenos — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:45:17 +0000

PapaDuck: Greek governments usually respond only to humiliation and potential loss of domestic or international prestige. They did nothing in response to calls for decades from UNHCR and Greek human rights lawyers about the disgraceful lack of asylum procedures in Greece. The only hope for reform lies in the humiliation of Greece in the eyes of other European governments…

By: Papa Duck

Papa Duck — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:38:39 +0000

Campaigning in Greece is one thing and, while I have no special knowledge to offer, I would have thought a Greek language counterpart was essential. Putting pressure outside Greece, especially in the EU, ssems sensible but I must ask whether an emphasis on getting governments not to send people back to Greece is the right one. Firstly, there are probably some governments who would never in a million years agree to such a policy. And even if they did, would this not suit those Greeks who want rid of all asylum seekers? Really looking for guidance and anxious to support your campaign in the most effective way.