“All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others…” (George Orwell).  This quote in the novel “Animal Farm” was written in 1944, but is as relevant today as it was then.

When I was younger, I used to believe that the institutions of UK and EU shared my core beliefs of equality and human rights for all.  That was a long time ago.. I was naive .. I was idealistic …. I suppose I thought we could only get better/ advance our achievements regarding human rights and equality for all  .. yes – I have kept my core beliefs – I believe they will never change until the day I die.  Now though, I know that human rights won’t be given willingly by those in power, they must be fought for.

I no longer have any faith that, in general,  the institution’s of the UK or the EU have any intention of progressing in the area of human rights… or even of upholding current laws which they disregard at every opportunity with impunity.  We are sliding back, quite rapidly… racist ideologies are more mainstream and accepted .. the media have done a good propaganda job of advancing the interests of the rich and powerful and demonising the most vulnerable groups in our society.

I think of the current situation in Greece, refugees are not seen as equal to the general population (or to visitors to the country) .. this is undisputed.  Refugees can be arrested and imprisoned for months for committing no crime, they live in inhumane/unsanitary conditions and are expected to eat inedible food.  Since July 7th when a far right government was elected this inequality has worsened.

 

The new Government has plans…  They want to end the policy of providing education for children of refugees.  This is devastating, I have written in previous posts how (in my small experiences) the behaviour and general confidence of children vastly improved when they had the structure of school.  Really, the change was so marked.  How can a government remove education in this way, it makes no sense.  My mind returns to Vial, to the children in the camp who have been there a few months and speak close to fluent Greek and great English, it increases their chances of success in the future and helps their mental health.  The children love school and love their teachers and soak up knowledge like little sponges.  Without education the yawning gap of inequality widens further.

 

The Government seem to want refugees to be viewed as potential criminals rather than people exercising their rights for international protection.  My friends have felt this shift, this increase in the hostile environment.  Many have moved, to try and escape Greece.. to take the dangerous routes into Europe to seek asylum.  

What choice do they have?  The danger of the EU/Turkey deal is ever present and since the EU Relocation Scheme closed in September 2017, the best they can hope for is asylum in Greece.  For the 2 years the Relocation Scheme was in place from September 2015 to September 2017, Greece processed the claims for asylum, but then people were allocated different countries within Europe to settle.  I remember conversations were always around “what country did you get?”, some friends went to; Portugal, Luxembourg, Latvia and other European countries – its been difficult, but they have started to rebuild their lives in these countries.

OK it wasn’t perfect, but it provided hope and alleviated the pressure on the countries of entry, Greece and Italy.  These countries which have economic problems of their own and high unemployment .. also now they have far right Governments which are hell bent on creating a hostile environment and have no qualms about breaching international human rights legislation.

So people move – to survive – to find a meaning for life – they take dangerous routes – they are beaten by the Police, have their phones smashed, are imprisoned and live day to day with little food or water.  Many are professional, educated people who would benefit any country, their identity is not ‘a refugee’ .. they are individuals with talents and skills.  They do not need saving – they just need to be given a chance.

I am reminded of the Tony Benn quote…

“The way a government treats its refugees is very instructive because it shows you how they would treat the rest of us if they thought they could get away with it.”

I do not single out the Greek or Italian Governments, my own Government in the UK is also complicit and guilty of crimes against humanity.  Not least of all continuing to sell vast amounts of arms to regimes which oppress and murder civilians – creating more refugees.  All for the lure of profit and power.

I felt I had to write this post as I have a deep well of anger against the current regimes which seek to separate refugees and asylum seekers as somehow different / less worthy / less human.  Also, I despair of the masses of the population who are happy to turn away whilst hard fought Human Rights are eroded before our eyes.

You can resist – you can keep informed – you can shout – you can protest – you can donate – you can offer solidarity – you can march – you can listen.

#resist #endthehostileenvironment