Far-right groups activity intensifies in downgraded urban area of Athens

Alert DateJanuary 20, 2009 Country: Greece Address: Aghios Panteleimonas, Athens General Type: Racist violence Racism and discrimination phenomena: Extremism - organised Racist Violence, Anti-migrant/xenophobia
Groups affected / Interested in: Migrants Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Daily life

Related Case Studies

Victims Data
Victims Nationality/Ethnic Origin N/A
Victims Gender N/A
Victims Age N/A
Victims Number N/A
Fatalities - deaths N/A
Perpetrators Data
Perpetrators Nationality/Ethnic Origin Greek
Perpetrator Gender Male, Female
Perpetrator Age N/A
Perpetrators Number N/A
Extremist/Organised Group Violence Yes

The public debates prior to the European Parliament Elections of 2009 have focused on Athens migrant ghettos, therefore about the residence of migrants in unsanitary conditions in some areas of Athens such as Aghios Panteleimonas Aharnon, led to self-organised ‘committees of residents’ against the presence of migrants. Ultra-right wing groups (in particular Chryssi Avgi – ‘Golden Dawn’) participated in such committees of outraged Greek citizens. Ιn some cases they obstructed access of migrants and human rights defenders to city squares and open spaces proceeding to ‘cleansing operations’ of public areas and they committed brutalities and aggressions against migrants and human rights’ defenders.

Ultra-right wing groups operate undisturbed in the centre of Athens prohibiting migrants, children and families of migrants from accessing squares and playgrounds through verbal and physical violence. They constitute ‘civic militia’ ‘defending’ and ‘cleaning’ areas from migrants. Ultra-right wing groups have allegedly increased their violent attacks against migrants in view of the public’s discontent, crime-fear and xenophobia. The Police has never arrested or even stopped a member of such organisation, while allegedly and on the basis of video footage and photos, police riot units operated in mixed groups with far-right militants armed and wearing helmets.

‘Committees of residents’ were created in order to request the removal of migrants and protest against the degradation of their quarters. With the moto ‘Give us our city back’ they claimed the centre of Athens clean from migrants, from drug-addicted persons and they requested a real estate public intervention.

 

Source:

Kathimerini, 20.1.2009, http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100016_20/01/2009_103948

Eleftherotipia, Dama G.,Τρόμου και ρατσισμού γωνία, 27.05.2009, http://www.enet.gr/?i=news.el.article&id=48314

Kathimerini, 04.04.2009, http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_ell_2_04/04/2009_309910

TVXS, Κρανοφόροι με ρόπαλα μαζί με τα ΜΑΤ στην αντιρατσιστική, 08.07.2009, http://tvxs.gr/node/16347

CityPress, Chrysikopoulos D.,Δώστε μας πίσω την πόλη μας!, 13.05.2009, http://www.citypress.gr/index.html?action=article&article=66563

Eleftherotipia, Dama G.,Πεδίον μάχης η πλατεία του Αγίου Παντελεήμονα, 10.06.2009, http://www.enet.gr/?i=news.el.article&id=52839

Kathimerini, Kampylis T.,Το νέα, καθημερινά πρόσωπα της βίας, 04.04.2009, http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_ell_2_04/04/2009_309910

HeLLeNiCReVeNgE blogspot, ΙΣΤΟΡΙΚΟ ΤΡΙΓΩΝΟ- Ζητούν εκκαθάριση του κέντρου της Αθήνας, 15.05.2009, http://hellenicrevenge.blogspot.com/2009/05/blog-post_1473.html

Kathimerini, Yannarou L., Γκέτο παρανόμων η Πλατεία Θεάτρου, 03.05.2009, http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_ell_2_03/05/2009_313081