The recent pledge to close the Amygdaleza detention centre in Northern Athens indicates a vast differentiation between Greek and Australian detention policies.
Greece’s humanitarian stance towards asylum seekers is drawing attention to Australia’s own stance on the issue.
Greece’s government has pledged to end a number of issues faced by asylum seekers in Athens, including inadequate food supplies, over crowding, hunger strikers, riots and even the deaths of four people since the centre’s opening in 2012.
Deputy Interior Minster Yannis Panousis’ decision to close the centre came after a visit to the centre revealed the tragedy that lay within.
Mr Panousis expressed his “shame, not as a minister, but as a human being” at the condition of the centre.
“We are done with detention centres,” Panousis affirmed as he made an urgent call for centres to be closed “immediately”.
While Greece was working on changing its human rights record, Australians marked the year anniversary of the death of 23-year-old asylum seeker Reza Berati in the Australian run Manus Island detention centre.
Prime Minster Tony Abbott reiterated that all asylum seekers without proper documentation will have their claims for refuge rejected.
Source: Junkee