Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition – Syria
Department of Media and Communications
September 13, 2020
The fire that broke out in the overcrowded Moria refugee camp in the Greek island of Midilli (also known as Lesbos), caused injuries among asylum seekers and the destruction of the tents inside, leaving about 13,000 refugees without shelter.
The fire was reportedly caused by an arson attack carried out by racists who burned a number of tents, which led to the outbreak of a large fire throughout the camp.
The attack took place despite the dozens of appeals sent out by refugees stranded in the camp calling on the Greek authorities to take action to confront the racist attacks by the local population targeting asylum seekers, especially discrimination and ill-treatment of Syrian refugees by the Greek authorities.
The Greek government is detaining refugees on its territory in special camps that are similar to detention camps in violation of human rights. Asylum seekers are being prevented from continuing their journey to the destination they want to resort to in violation of international humanitarian law and human rights laws.
The Greek government is required to protect asylum seekers who arrived on its territory as a transit to safer countries.
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) calls on the international community, especially the European Union, to assume its responsibilities with regards to the plight of asylum seekers stranded in Greece. Urgent action needs to be taken to address the deteriorating conditions in these camps and allow asylum seekers stranded in Greece to go to the destination they want.
It is imperative that the international community shoulder its duties towards the Syrian people and put an end to the Assad regime’s crimes forcing them to leave their homeland in search of safety.
