“We need human solidarity”: report from Kalamata after deadly shipwreck

Pete Radcliff · 16 June 2023 · Highlights (top of front page) · News and analysis

Source >> Labour Campaign for Free Movement

In Kalamata, the 102-104 surviving refugees from the shipwreck are housed in a warehouse awaiting to be moved to one of Greece’s refugee camps.

Contrary to BBC reports, there are a great mixture of refugees, many speaking Arabic.

I have been talking to many local people and some political activists. All in support of the refugees. All asking the same question: “how if the location of the boat was known and that it was in distress, could this happen?”

The former Prime Minister Tsipras was here this morning. The details of his response are still awaited.

There is a mixture of anger at the EU and UK leaving Greece in the lurch of taking the bulk of the growing flow of desperate refugees. But also a degree of apology for Greece’s response: “what can Greece do when the rest of Europe do nothing?”

After the recent election which the left (Syriza) lost, there is a low morale. But the anger with what happened over the past two days is huge.

There is a certain degree of cynicism about the incoming government’s response. About whether an enquiry will reveal what the Greek border police’s responsibility is.

The faith is not with politicians, but more with relief and sea rescue agencies. Several times I heard “we need human solidarity”, “solidarity between people”. They are right, but we can’t let politicians off the hook. We need a political campaign across Europe for free movement.

And that can’t be a campaign for passing the buck but of doing immediate relief and political action, as much as we can, everywhere. No refugee turned back or left to die. No leaving of Greece or any country to carry the weight. This horror must be stopped.

See also: this account from the Alarmphone initiative, which attempted to raise the alarm after passengers on the boat contacted them before the capsizing. Alarmphone explain how the Greek coastguard’s violent policies push people on the move in the Mediterranean to take more dangerous routes as they attempt to escape the brutality.

European Union, Greece, Mediterranean, Migrants, People Smuggling

The Anti*Capitalist Resistance Editorial Board may not always agree with all of the content we repost but feel it is important to give left voices a platform and develop a space for comradely debate and disagreement.

Latest Articles

Sacre (bleu) rouge! – Popular Front pushes back Le Pen08.07.2024
Dave Kellaway looks at the results of the second round of the French parliamentary elections
The far right has been pushed back by popular mobilisation – now we must implement the programme of the New Popular Front08.07.2024
A statement on last night’s election result in France from the NPA – Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste
After the Landslide: Resistance and Realignment05.07.2024
Anti*Capitalist Resistance statement on the General Election. Tories annihilated, Labour have a ‘loveless’ landslide, and hard-right Farage surges. There is a challenge from the left and on Gaza: organise the resistance now.
An election without electors in Iran04.07.2024
In the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite the facade of electoral processes, true power remains firmly in the hands of the Supreme Leader and his inner circle, with the recent elections underscoring the population’s widespread disillusionment and rejection of the regime. By Babak Kia.
That Was the Election That Was04.07.2024
Dave Kellaway looks back at an election campaign that was over before it began

Tags: European Union, Greece, Mediterranean, Migrants, People Smuggling