From the Greek Streets » lesvos noborders

#119 | One Less Prison: Pagani detention centre in Lesvos to close down (for now?)

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:06:46 +0000

The “migrant welcoming centre” (that is a prison in the government’s doublespeak) of Pagani in Lesvos was one of the main targets of the No Borders camp that took place in the island last August, with activists calling for the immediate closing down of a detention centre in which, “living” conditions were a disgrace, even by greek prison standards… On 22.10, a government official (Sp. Vougias) visited the prison to inspect living conditions there. Astonishingly, only hours after his visit, a 17-year old migrant detainee was severely beaten before being offered 350 euros by police, to keep silent about the attack…

Since the NoBorders camp in the summer, however, the detainees of the centre seem to have been building up strength and courage to take things in their own hands. A series of revolts shook the centre and it quickly became apparent that it could not go operating in the same way for much longer. It has now been announced that Pagani will be closing town for the time being; the last few remaining detainees will be transferred to the detention centre of the nearby island of Chios.

Some excellent support work has been put in by the people behind the “Close Down Pagani” Campaign and this blog continues to provide up-to-date information on the situation in Lesvos.

As an after-word: There should not be any illusions really about any “humanitarian” instincts dictating the closing down of Pagani. The government of PASOK must have decided on what was an administrative question (if they really are to move most migrant detainees to Chios) and a question of its image that Pagani seemed to be damaging so badly. Plans for fingerprinting all incoming migrants, giving them a short time and “incentives” to go “back where they came from” reveals the true face of authority, its desire for order, for control and repression of people’s ability and freedom to move and to live where they wish. And still, if Pagani does close down, we can mark it down as a small victory of people over power, of what happens when we take situations in our own hands, when we take on authority. No borders, no nations…

#91 | Uprising at the detention centre of Pagani, Mytilene

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:24:47 +0000

UPDATE, 9.05pm – all detainees, including the under-aged, have now returned to their cells. The head of the local prefecture who showed up on the spot promised the under-aged detainees that they shall all be released by Friday. This remains to be seen…

The “detention centre” (read: prison) in Pagani, Mytilene, is where most of the undocumented migrants are locked up upon their arrival at the island of Mytilene, in NE Greece. Shutting down the camp was one of the main demands of the NoBorders camp that took place in Mytilene in August.

A few hours ago (at around 4pm local time), migrant detainees in the camp started an uprising, setting fires in the courtyard and beggining to demolish the centre’s exterior fence.

They demand their freedom and that they are all granted with the special document allowing them to travel to Athens.

More than 650 people are detained in the centre, around 150 of which are children.

People in solidarity have already arrived at the scene. So have local media, as well as units of the special police force (OPKE).

Photos and more info, here.

Short video from tonight’s events, here.

#79 | In Mytilini, like everwhere else…

admin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:45:37 +0000

“I am not a racist, but…” Swerving through the curvy roads leading to the Lesvos NoBorders camp, the taxi driver delves into the only-too-familiar defense of, well, racists. “There’s not enough jobs” – but they take on the jobs Greeks would never want to do, plus most migrants only want to cross through the country anyway. “They’re treated well” – but they are thrown in prisons. “Us Greeks migrated in the 60s too, I understand what these people are going through” – and what do you do for help? “A few nights ago, I saw around 20 or 30 migrants hiding in the bushes. Their little motor boat had just reached the land. They were hiding and running, heading toward town. I nicked their motor-boat.”

In Mytilini, like everywhere else: Where the “good people” of the society find none of this is their problem, where the FRONTEX ship in the old harbor blends in with the picturesque landscape. The Lesvos NoBorders camp is at full swing and this blog has been providing some excellent coverage. Today (28.8) is the day of the two main demonstrations, one outside the detention centre of Pagani, just outside town, and one in the town of Mytilini itself. Not for all those people “with the difficult names and the unknown stories”, but with them. Against some local “non-racists” that we will never understand, and never ever want to.

#69 | Lesvos NoBorders Camp: the Program

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:41:38 +0000

The NoBorders Camp is taking place at Lesvos on August 25-31. The camp’s program is as follows:

Tuesday 25/08: Arrival

Wednesday 26/08: European migration conditions

This day we will discuss about the conditions of borders and migration, trying to combine issues of european politics, experiences from migrants, political interventions and mobilisations from different parts of the european borders (with emphasis given to greece, italy, spain). In the evening an open discussion/event will take place at the city of Mytilene.

Thursday 27/08: Contact with the local society

Since one of the primary aims of the camp is the communication and consciousness -raising of the local society, this day will see events, discussions and actions across the island (in Molyvos, Plomari, Kalloni, Ayiasos).

Friday 28/08: Detention Centres

The issues of the criminalisation of migration, of the detention, isolation and of the (denial) of migrant rights will be the main topics of discussion this day. In the evening a mobilisation will take place at the Pagani detention centre, ending up at the city of Mytilene.

Saturday 29/08: Frontex, Port-police, Border status

Central topics of discussion here will be the policing of the borders (border police, port-police) as well as the constantly increasing activity of Frontex at the european borders. In the evening a protest will take place at the port.

Sunday 30/08: Work, precarity, migration

The main aim of this day is to link up the issue of migration with that of work and migration, while issues of nationality, class, gender and religious identity will also be discussed.

Monday 31/08: Closing of the camp, final assembly

Every day: Assembly, seminars, discussions, screenings.

All groups wishing to organise workshops during the camp should get in touch at workshops.noborder.lesvos@espiv.net

For more information: www.noborderlesvos09.gr

www.lesvos09.antira.info

www.noborder.org

www.lesvosnoborder2009.blogspot.com

Kali Antamosi! (Until we meet!)