Jonny Willis and Ben Teuten (DEP 2014-15) write:
March 2017 marked one year of the EU-Turkey refugee deal - a deal that allowed Europe to return asylum seekers from Greece to Turkey and closed borders across the Balkans, halting the onward journey of many across Western Europe.
In a recent article in the Guardian newspaper, John Dalhuisen, Amnesty’s Europe director, reflected on the anniversary: “Today marks a dark day in the history of refugee protection – one in which Europe’s leaders attempted to buy themselves out of their international obligations, heedless of the cost in human misery. A year ago, the Greek islands were transformed into de facto holding pens, as Europe’s shores went from being sites of sanctuary into places of peril. One year on, thousands remain stranded in a dangerous, desperate and seemingly endless limbo.”
Since arriving in Athens, we have met many young refugees and migrants who have been surviving on the city streets for the past year; some trying to be part of meaningful activities in the daytime- language classes at community centres or helping with translation in the squats- whilst others have become dependant on substances and find their only source of income (as they have no address to receive cash based assistance) in criminal activities related to smuggling, drugs and sex work.
RYS has therefore decided to open safe space in the heart of the community, for vulnerable young people aged 16-21, who will be welcome regardless of their race/ethnicity, cultural background, or religious affiliation. The space will be ran by a primarily Greek and migrant staff team and will provide a place where young people can feel safe, take respite, seek emotional and material support, and connect with those services offering more specialist support including legal and psychological counsel.
It is likely that borders will remain closed for years to come, and whilst we continue in the campaign to fix this broken system we must also address the long-term needs of the young people who are forced to exist within it. We are therefore running a youth empowerment training programme within this space, enabling and inspiring young people to generate visions for their futures, create innovative personal development plans and have the confidence and resources to action them.
To support our essential work please click here and donate today. If you would like to give regularly please contact athens@refugeeyouthservice.net
