Sunday 18 August 2013

Immigration: Greece plans Aegean islands campsites


Immigration: Greece plans Aegean islands campsites

09 August, 13:22
(ANSAmed) - ATHENS, AUGUST 9 - Immigrants unlawfully pouring into Greece in hopes of finding asylum or going to other countries will be sheltered in campsites on islands in the Aegean, GreekReporter website writes quoting Greek Minister of Shipping and the Aegean Miltiadis Varvitsiotis as saying.

Talking to the Greek radio station Vima 99,5, the minister said tents and chemical toilets will be set up in the spaces of temporary accommodation.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has authorized ministers to make decisions without consulting Parliament and an order for the release of money for the campsites was expected to be given.

The minister also called the local port services to cooperate with the medical associations, as well as with the local lawyers' associations.

Greece is being inundated with immigrants because the country is the closest southernmost entry point and government officials said the European Union isn't doing enough to help. Human rights groups have complained that many immigrants are being kept in detention camps in intolerable conditions and that some vessels carrying them have been pushed back away from the shore by the Coast Guard.