250 of them stayed in Athens while the other 50 went northwards to Thessaloniki. They had all arrived in Greece as economic and political refugees to escape war, dictatorship and poverty in the hope of a better life in Europe. Instead they came across the brutality of the current immigration laws, which allow for their full exploitation. A typical example of the situation is that more than often employers exploit their labour without providing accreditation of their working hours, which are necessary to prove their status and contribute to the process of their ‘legalisation’. This leaves no space to ask even for basic rights and the vicious circle continues, leaving immigrants in the margin without a way out. The current economic situation in Greece also saw an increase in far right discourse, blaming immigrants for the problems of the Greek state, which has crystallised in government policies, such as floating detention centres, a European army in the Aegean and massive deportations. The propaganda is being constantly reproduced by the mainstream media in an attempt to detract from the actual problems and the responsibilities of the political parties and the system they advocate. People and alternative media that are supporting the struggle of the 300 are being blamed, marginalised and turned to ‘villains’. Despite all this the solidarity movement in Greece is active and getting stronger.

The statement of the 300 hunger strikers on their demands is the following:

“For us, legalisation is neither a generic nor an abstract slogan. We don’t want proposals to be heard without us. For us legalisation means many and very specific things. Between those, first and foremost:
The issuing – since we are entitled to it – of a proper residence and labour permit to us, the 300 hunger strikers, who demand what should be a given for everyone by putting our lives on the line. As well as:
- that residence permits are no longer connected to work credits
- that all who lost their permits because of the above reason are legalised again
- the vindication of everyone whose application was rejected in 2005, after their application submission had been accepted and after they were forced to pay thousands of euros each
- the establishment of a permanent and open procedure for complete legalisation, which will process applications constantly
- the abandonment of any idea of criminalising any of our comrades in solidarity with us, who have been called as suspects of committing criminal acts by the authorities
And many more…
Anyone who wants to seriously engage with our strike and avoid a humanitarian crisis in Greece, should officially and directly contact us and whatever discussion must be focused on meeting the above demands. Every human is worth a dignified life and labour. The hunger strike shall win,
Athens – Thessaloniki”

Today, on their 32nd day of hunger strike and with their health condition deteriorating the Greek government still chose to ignore them and play with their lives. The doctors warn that their condition is deteriorating very rapidly with irreversible results for their health. However, the minister of interior affairs launched an appeal to stop their hunger strike, stating that the current law on immigration will continue to be implemented without any change. The government suggested as a ‘concession’ that the 300 immigrants would be allowed to apply for asylum permit, something that they rejected as the aim of the hunger strike is not to avoid paying the 50euros needed to make the application!!!

Solidarity messages to their struggle are arriving from all over the world and more are needed. It is time for everybody to act now:

Fax and E-Mail the Greek authorities and demand immediate legalisation NOW

e-mails:
 dialogue@politicalforum.gr,  ypourgos@ypes.gov.gr,  info@ypes.gr,  papoutsi@otenet.gr,  pressoffice@yptp.gr,  Louka.katseli@parliament.gr,  anna.dalaras@gmail.com,  hungerstrike300@gmail.com

fax numbers:
MInistry of Interior, fax: 0030 2103665089,
Ministry of Citizen Protection, fax: 0030 2103387708
Ministry of Labour, fax: 2105249805, 0030 2103213688

For more information see:

 http://hungerstrike300.espivblogs.net/category/%ce%b3%ce%bb%cf%8e%cf%83%cf%83%ce%b5%cf%82/english/