{"id":4278,"date":"2020-09-30T14:15:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-30T14:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hardcore-hodgkin.138-201-31-57.plesk.page\/?p=4278"},"modified":"2024-08-02T14:16:58","modified_gmt":"2024-08-02T14:16:58","slug":"1522-koini-anakoinosi-ellinikon-kai-diethnon-organoseon-gia-tin-anastoli-leitourgias-ton-egkatastaseon-pikpa-kai-kara-tepe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gcr.gr\/en\/news\/item\/1522-koini-anakoinosi-ellinikon-kai-diethnon-organoseon-gia-tin-anastoli-leitourgias-ton-egkatastaseon-pikpa-kai-kara-tepe\/","title":{"rendered":"Joint Statement of Greek and International organizations on the decision to terminate the operations of PIKPA and Kara Tepe facilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

PUBLIC STATEMENT \u2013 for immediate release<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAVE DIGNITY, SAVE PIKPA AND KARA TEPE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u039core than 160 Greek and international organizations, academics and other actors from all over Europe urge the Greek authorities to revoke decision to close dignified alternatives in accommodating refugees \u03bfn Lesvos<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Athens, 30 September 2020 - We, the undersigned, call on the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarakis, and the local authorities of Lesvos to repeal their decision to terminate the operations of PIKPA and Kara Tepe facilities for vulnerable asylum seekers on the island of Lesvos. The authorities should not only revoke the decision to shut down these facilities, but in this time of great need, they should further strengthen and protect all dignified alternative solutions for asylum seekers\u2019 housing and protection.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the last five years, PIKPA and Kara Tepe have sheltered vulnerable people escaping from the deplorable living conditions in the Reception and Identification Center (RIC) of Moria, a dangerous place where residents\u2019 health and safety was continuously in jeopardy. The decision to shut down these facilities comes only a few days after a devastating series of blazes burned camp Moria to the ground, leaving more than 12.000 women, men and children with no access to shelter, food and water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While a new \u201cemergency\u201d camp has been set up on the island, which is currently hosting former residents of Moria camp, many of the signatories present on the ground report significant gaps in protection, access to electricity, water supply and sanitation, safety and security. For as long as the conditions in the RICs are undignified for human beings, alternative responses will be needed, to protect the most vulnerable. PIKPA and Kara Tepe should now by all means continue to offer accommodation and protection solutions that are appropriate, especially for the most vulnerable, including unaccompanied and separated children, single mothers, victims of torture and ill treatment, male and female survivors of gender-based and sexual violence, and people with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PIKPA, an open, self-organised solidarity space, has provided essential services and assistance to refugees on Lesvos since 2012. In 2016, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), awarded the Nansen Refugee Award to one of the co-founders of PIKPA, in recognition of their work saving lives and providing a safe haven for the most vulnerable during the refugee \u2018crisis\u2019 in 2015. Today, PIKPA hosts unaccompanied children, single mothers and persons that have suffered torture or ill treatment, as well as many people with heightened vulnerabilities. Survivors of torture and ill treatment suffer from chronic physical pain for years after their abuse, and psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, withdrawal and self-isolation, post traumatic stress, known as PTSD etc. PIKPA offers a dignified and safe space for the survivors who would otherwise be continuously re-traumatized in an unsafe environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kara Tepe has been run by the municipality with a capacity of more than 1,000 people. It has offered humane living conditions to vulnerable asylum seekers and families that were transferred there from Moria, including single parents, people with disabilities, and many families with health problems. It has been lauded for its infrastructure and community-like atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it is unclear where current residents of PIKPA and Kara Tepe will be transferred, the undersigned are convinced that going to the new \u201cemergency\u201d camp would endanger their physical and mental health and should be avoided at all costs. In addition, PIKPA and Kara Tepe could actually take in and better provide for the individuals who are more \u201cat-risk\u201d currently residing in the new Lesvos RIC. This would be especially important for people with disabilities, for example, as there are no accessible latrines in the new RIC at this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We urge Greece\u2019s national and local authorities:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To immediately halt the closure of PIKPA and Kara Tepe and to support and further enhance their outstanding contributions.<\/strong> At the same time the authorities should seek solutions in line with human rights standards for the operation of the new temporary camp in Lesvos, pursuing the ultimate goal of its steady decongestion, and providing adequate standards in terms of safety, water, sanitation and medical assistance to all residents, until all are moved to safer and dignified accommodation conditions\u201d.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The signatories:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Buon Diritto Onlus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ActionAid Hellas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agir Pour la Paix<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anders Wachsen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are You Syrious (AYS)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asociaci\u00f3n SINGA Espa\u00f1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asociacion pro Derechos Humanos de Andalucia\u00a0 (APDHA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Association europ\u00e9enne de d\u00e9fense des droits de l\u2019Homme (AEDH)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\u0399\u03a4\u0399\u039c\u0391<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lesvos Solidarity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ANTIGONE - Information and Documentation Centre on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non Violence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ARSIS - Association for the Social Support of Youth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barbara Lochbihler, MdEP a.D., Berlin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basta Violenza alle Frontiere<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be a Robin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better Days<\/p>\n\n\n\n

borderline-europe e.V.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calais Action Brighton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Casetta Rossa<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catch a Smile asbl<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centre Avec asbl<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centre de formation Bienenberg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centro di prevenzione psicosociale\u00a0Nodo Sankara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changemakers Lab<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosehumanity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chorleywood4Refugees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christian Peacemaker Teams<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christian Peacemaker Teams Netherlands<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Church and Peace<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collectif de soutien de l\u2019EHESS aux sans-papiers et aux migrant-es<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collectif pour une terre plus humaine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collective Aid<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comit\u00e9 de Solidarit\u00e9 avec le Peuple Gr\u00e8ce de Lyon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coordindora de Barrios<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CPT \u2013 Aegean Migrant Solidarity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRIBS International<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRID \u2013 Centre de recherche et d\u2019information pour le d\u00e9veloppement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defence for Children International<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defence for Children International \u2013 Italy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defence for Children International Greece<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D\u00e9fense des enfants International Belgique<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D\u00e9put\u00e9 Wallon (Belgique)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diotima<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defensa de Ni\u00f1as y Ni\u00f1os \u2013 Internacional , DNI Espa\u00f1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Destination Unknown \u2013 DU campaign<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amnesty International<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distribute Aid<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors Worldwide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donate4Refugees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Danish Refugee Council (DRC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Network for Children\u2019s Rights<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ECHO for Refugees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ECHO100PLUS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

eipcp. European Institute for Progressive Cultural Policies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ELIX \u2013 Conservation Volunteers Greece<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greek Helsinki Monitor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ENAR \u2013 European Network Against Racism<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH \u2013 rehabilitate Human Dignity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European Women\u2019s Lobby<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyday, just a smile<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fenix \u2013 Humanitarian Legal Aid <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firetree Philanthropy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fondation Danielle Mitterrand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

foodKIND<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FORGE for humanity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh Response<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friends Of Refugees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

German Mennonite Peace Committee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glocal Roots<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Griechenland Solidarit\u00e4tskomitee K\u00f6ln<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medecins du Monde\/ Greece<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medecins Sans Frontieres -Doctors Without Borders -MSF<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hello My Friend<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Help Refugees \/ Choose Love<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herts for Refugees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HIAS Greece<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HIGGS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home Project<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hope and Aid Direct<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HuBB \u2013 Humans Before Borders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human Rights Watch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humanitas, Centre for Global Education and Cooperation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humanity Now<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HumanRights360<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initiative for an alternative mental health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initiative for the Detainees\u2019 Rights<\/p>\n\n\n\n

InterEuropean Human Aid Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Centre for Refugees and Asylum Seekers ICERAS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Federation of Social Workers, European Region (IFSW Europe)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Rescue Committee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTERSOS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

InterVolve<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iride<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jelscha Dietrich<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesuit Refugee Service Greece<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khora Community Centre<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Babel Day Centre<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centro di prevenzione psicosociale Nodo Sankara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Luna Di Vasilika ONLUS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Latitude Adjustment Podcast<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Le Paria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal Centre Lesvos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love Welcomes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Mothers Matter<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MAMbrella<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medico International<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melissa Network<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mennonite Mission Network<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mennonitisches Friedenszentrum Berlin\/Mennonite Peace Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Migrant Voice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Migrations Libres<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MiGreat<\/p>\n\n\n\n

M\u03b1\u03b6\u03af\/Together\/\u0645\u0639\u0627\u064b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Family-No Borders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Happy Family<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ONGD CEPAC-IB<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open Cultural Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Owl\u2019s Watch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ecological Movement of Thessaloniki<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organization Earth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pampiraiki Support Initiative for Refugees & Migrants<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parroquia San Carlos Borromeo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peaceful Borders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People in motion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pluspunt Netherlands<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro Asyl<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Armonia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protestant Association for Conscientious Objectors and Peace <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rechtsanw\u00e4ltin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refugee Aid Network Uk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refugee Compassion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refugee Education And Learning International<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refugee Law Clinic Berlin e.V.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refugee Rescue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refugee Support Europe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refugee Trauma Initiative<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refugee Youth Service<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refugees International<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REFUGYM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RefuNet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respekt f\u00fcr Griechenland e.V.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RESEAU FOI & JUSTICE AFRIQUE EUROPE ANTENNE FRANCE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rethinking Refugees \u2013 Knowledge and Action<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safe Passage UK<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAO Association for displaced women<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seebruecke Wuppertal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side by Side Refugees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SolidarityNow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still I Rise<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop Precarite<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support Art Workers (Greece)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symbiosis-School of Political Studies in Greece<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coexistence and Communication in the Aegean<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terre des hommes Hellas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u03a4halassa of Solidarity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vasilika Moon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VELOS YOUTH<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verein FAIR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voice Of Ezidis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wiltshire For Refugees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yoga and Sport For Refugees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youth organization \u201cProtests\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refugee Support Aegean ( R.S.A.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview of the situation of the rights of children on the move \u2013 a joint publication by the Greek Council for Refugees and Save the Children Europe<\/u><\/strong>Also endorsed by: <\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n