Ill-treatment of irregular migrants by coast guards in the port of Patras

Alert DateJuly 10, 2008 Country: Greece Address: Port, Patras General Type: Racist violence Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-migrant/xenophobia
Groups affected / Interested in: Migrants, Refugees Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Policing - law enforcement
Victims Data
Victims Nationality/Ethnic Origin Afghan
Victims Gender Male
Victims Age <17, 18-25, 26-35
Victims Number 6
Fatalities - deaths N/A
Perpetrators Data
Perpetrators Nationality/Ethnic Origin Greek
Perpetrator Gender Male
Perpetrator Age N/A
Perpetrators Number 15
Extremist/Organised Group Violence No

In early July 2008, it was denounced that in view of the lack of detention facilities, and after the massive sweep operation in the port of Patras, the arrested irregular immigrants seeking the passage to Italy, were tied by the port police guards to the benches, trees and street-light poles. They were spending entire nights this way, exposed to public walking into and around the port.

This humiliating ill-treatment led to parliamentary questioning of the competent Commercial Marine Minister and to the provision of detention space in the Patras (Ahaia) Police headquarters.  The explosive situation in the port of Patras since late 2007 lead to a number of interventions by public authorities and civil society seeking a housing solution, not yet achieved.

Earlier that year, members of the Movement defending the rights of refugees and migrants filed a lawsuit against Greek coastguard and Police at the port of Patras, regarding several cases of migrants mistreatment on February 22th, 25th and 26h.

- (22/02/2008): Six policemen surrounded and beat with sticks a group of young Afghan migrants,  breaking Ali Mohamed's arm, a 16 year-old minor. One of the young Afghans, 28 year-old Sotzaat Rezai, who had escaped from the police attack, was found later by policemen who beat him again with sticks fracturing his thumb.

- (25/02/2008): 21 year-old Kader Bahri was arrested by two coast guards. The two coast guards escorted the victim out of the Patras port and there upon they beat and threw him in the sea twice.

- (26/02/2008): 20 year-old Morteza Moranti was chased by three uniformed men who kicked him on the back.

- (26/02/2008): 4 coast guards surrounded two Afhgan asylum seekers at the port of Patras. They arrested 16 year-old Ramazan Karemi and pushed him into the sea and beat his friend, 26-year-old Mamatela Niazi, causing injuries on his face.

Source:

Aygi, 10.07.2008

Patras News, 05.03.2008, http://www.patranews.gr/news.asp?id=8732