@AlbeCampiPhoto @VisionsCarto @citeimmigration @VilleEnGuerre "Beyond the border", pictures by Mathias Depardon: http://t.co/M8ik0bft
After passing through Turkey and the Evros region, the funnel of immigration in Southern Europe, thousands of migrants are found in Athens and Patras without real opportunities, ensuing the recent economic crisis the country suffered.The dead end of Greece summarizes the failure of the European immigration policy. Reports of abuse in border areas have been raised across all sorts of organizations from NGOs, to the Council of Europe, to the UNHCR. The asylum system is going bankrupt. Out of the 52,000 cases that are pending review 99% will be rejected. Greece gives in more to xenophobia and rejection of immigrants than to trying to be as overeign state. Racist attacks by skinheads or raids have increased in the past years‚ NGO’s have expressed concern at the proliferation of racist attacks by outraged citizens, against immigrants of any age or sex. "Greece is not Europe, there is no human rights here for us, we have to leave from here "moaned Mahmoud, an Afghan of 25, who is pacing along the gates of the port of Patras. Where to? The ferry terminal, on this west coast location of Greece is the main gateway to Italy. The whole harbor area is a fortified camp, which contains pains takingly intrusion of thousands of illegal immigrants each year. On the road, at traffic lights, young Afghan throws themselves under trucks, clinging to axles, sliding into trailers, playing cat and mouse games with exceeded drivers. Most migrants are flushed at the entrance of the boat and thrown back across the grids, whilst some escape the controls and set foot in Italy."I came to England four times, said young afghan man; each time, I was turned back. I know the whole route, Bari, Rome, Ventimiglia, Nice, Paris Gare de l'Est and Calais. " Consequence of the Dublin Convention is that the country through which a migrant has entered the Schengen area, must take charge of that person. Greece is thus destined to accommodate 90% of new legal entrants, but also condemned to accommodate illegal migrants that the rest of the EU sends them. To Greece relief, a few countries, like Sweden and Belgium suspended the expulsions.My reportage mostly focuses on the journey of unaccompanied afghan minors who travel through Europe illegally. Some of them try the adventure on a daily basis and sometimes for months before reaching Austria, Sweden or England. Meanwhile, they remain in Athens and Patras attempting to reach their final destinations, dreaming of a better life.
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