The S&D Group is calling for the Council and Commission to work urgently with the Greek authorities to prevent a humanitarian crisis occurring this winter in refugee camps on the Greek islands. The S&D Group is calling for a debate on the issue to be added to the Parliament’s plenary session next week in Strasbourg.

 

 

“Thousands of people seeking asylum on the Greek islands still do not have adequate protection for the coming cold months. Many are still sleeping in light tents designed for summer weather, without sleeping bags, on thin mats or even the floor. EU governments need to immediately stop sending back refugees to Greece under the Dublin mechanism, which is creating further strain on the Greek asylum system. If we do not act and refugees die from the cold, as they did last year, then their blood will be on our hands.

 

“Alongside these immediate measures to prevent further loss of life, all Member States must fulfil their obligations to relocate refugees from Greece. A legal decision has been taken by the EU and this must be fully respected. Relocation is the only way of taking these people out of limbo and allowing them to get on with rebuilding their lives.”