Marked by ongoing, grave violations against the rights of migrants and refugees, 2024 has been another deeply challenging year for human rights in Greece. Human loss at sea continues unabated with Greek and European authorities failing to provide adequate assistance and safe passage. Within just the last few months, numerous tragic shipwrecks have occurred off the coasts of Greece, resulting in the loss of countless lives. The practice of pushbacks and refoulement remains widespread, with migrants being forcibly returned to perilous conditions without the opportunity to seek asylum, eroding even further the rule of law in Greece.
These violations occur within the context of alarming regional and global developments. The European Migration Pact, incorporating Greece’s worst practices in migration management, signals the ongoing erosion of the human rights acquis in Europe. Meanwhile, devastating wars and humanitarian crises in Ukraine, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Sudan and other countries have forced millions to flee their homes in search of safety. Greece remains at the crossroads of this global displacement crisis.
Amidst systemic injustice, there have been moments of hope and resilience worth fighting for. Lesvos Solidarity, dedicated to advancing human dignity and social inclusion has opened its new shelter “Selamet”; a safe and sustainable space for locals and refugees which when combined with the activities of Mosaik Support Center and NaN social kitchen, offers a holistic, empowering and realistic proposal to exclusion. A place where people can ‘feel at home’ as a young refugee from Iran told us; where a woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo ‘can breathe’ and serve her child a hot meal on a table and where children can draw their hopes and aspirations of a world where different people from different backgrounds can share the warmth of the same fire.
In a year of setbacks, “Lesvos Solidarity” has proven that, through collective action and grassroots solidarity it is possible to build a more humane, just and inclusive future for all.
In 2024, Lesvos Solidarity continued its advocacy efforts against the devastating consequences of a system based on discrimination and exclusion and the ongoing human rights violations in Greece. Over the course of the year, we have participated in more than 80 bilateral and multilateral meetings, joining forces with fellow human rights defenders, organizations, and international bodies. These meetings have served as a platform for raising urgent concerns about the harmful impact of migration policies, which have exacerbated the risks faced by migrants, increased the use of pushbacks, and undermined the rule of law in Greece.
Lesvos Solidarity has been at the forefront of calls for justice for the victims of the Pylos shipwreck, where more than 600 lives were lost due to the Greek authorities’ refusal to provide assistance and rescue. We have joined forces with the voices of the survivors and their advocates to demand accountability and ensure that this tragedy is not forgotten. Our advocacy has focused on urging the EU and Greek government to respect human rights, provide safe pathways for asylum and migration, and protect those seeking refuge from violence and persecution. This year we also made use of the formal opening of our shelter for women and children ‘Selamet’ to promote dignified and sustainable solutions that will benefit the local communities and the populations affected by exclusion.
Committed to exposing and eroding discrimination and racism from our society we participated at the plenaries and the advocacy activities of the Racist Violence Recording Network. We also broadened our coalitions by joining the Fundamental Rights Platform of the European Fundamental Rights Agency.
Lesvos Solidarity remains committed to push for equitable access to rights, opportunities and use of resources. Looking ahead to 2025, we will continue to advocate for systemic change in full respect of human rights. At the same time we will focus on promoting even further our proposal for a sustainable and dignified reception based on solidarity. We will amplify the voices of those affected by precarious situations, women and children in particular with an aim to raise awareness on the positive impact of initiatives such as ‘Silamet’, Mosaik Support Center and NaN have on the lives of people and our societies.
Through continued advocacy we aim to build a future where justice, dignity, and solidarity prevail.
