Salim Idris, the coordinator of the Office of Refugee Affairs in the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), has once again raised the call for governments and international organizations to step in and alleviate the distress of Syrian asylum seekers marooned in the Evros River in Greece.
Idris revealed that the Syrians stranded along the Evros River were compelled to venture onto Greek mainland recently, but their attempts led to immediate police intervention. Subsequently, they were transported to a facility known among asylum seekers as the “Abu Shabak” prison.
Idris disclosed that the asylum seekers endured severe physical abuse, with two individuals losing their lives and several others succumbing to fainting spells. As a consequence, these survivors were relocated to an alternate island within the Evros River.
Idris implored governments and international organizations to take swift action in rescuing the Syrian asylum seekers, highlighting the dire humanitarian circumstances that have only worsened following the reported deaths.
A press release issued by the SOC last week called on the global community to exert pressure on the Greek government, demanding immediate provisions of sustenance and medical aid to avert potential fatalities and a looming disaster.
Blaming the Greek government for the safety and wellbeing of the asylum seekers, the SOC denounced the violations they face, particularly within the subgroup left stranded on an island in the Evros River without access to essential resources such as food and water. This group includes vulnerable individuals, such as children, women, and the sick.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
