A Greek nationalist group's plan to throw a pork barbecue near a refugee camp has led to a debate in the country's parliament. Critics want to do something, but some say that would mean attacking the Greek way of life.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Rumpenhorst
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On Tuesday Greek parliamentarians debated how to react to a nationalist group's plans to hold a pork barbecue "protest" near a refugee camp.
This week the Greek nationalist group Enomemoi Makedones, or United Macedonia, made calls online for people to attend a "barbecue protest" on Sunday near the refugee camp Diavata, located a few miles west of Thessaloniki. Attendees are to consume pork and alcohol in protest of the growing number of immigrants in Greece.
For Muslims, the consumption of pork and alcohol is forbidden by the Koran.
In a parliamentary debate in Athens broadcast on television Tuesday, left-wing politician Christos Giannoulis said it was difficult to say whether the event broke any laws, but called it a "disgrace" and a "provocation against people of other beliefs."
He called for the organizers to be held accountable for this "new type of political and criminal behavior."
Moria refugee camp: A new kind of hell awaits
This year, so far, has seen a huge influx of refugees arriving in Lesbos. Conditions in the Moria camp are steadily becoming worse and refugees are often left to their own devices.
Image: DW/D. Tosidis
A view from above
Moria refugee camp has a capacity of 3,000. Currently, some 14,500 refugees are squeezed into the infamous refugee camp, Greece's largest reception and identification center.
Image: DW/D. Tosidis
Deep wounds
A large majority of those who live in Moria have been deemed as vulnerable and are in need of immediate medical assistance. This girl from Gaza, who lives with her family in a tent in the olive grove outside Moria, was severely injured when an Israeli rocket hit her home.
Image: DW/D. Tosidis
A false dawn?
In August more than 2,800 people arrived in dinghies on the island of Lesbos. A boat carrying 40 people was brought into the port of Skala Sikamineas after it was intercepted by Frontex, the EU's border agency. Eight women and 18 children, including five unaccompanied minors, were on board along with 14 men, all from Afghanistan.
Image: DW/D. Tosidis
The wait begins
After the women and children have been transferred to a transit camp, 18 men wait to be taken away to the same camp by the authorities. Volunteers with the NGO Lighthouse relief assist the authorities in providing food and water to those who have recently arrived.
Image: DW/D. Tosidis
Keeping the tradition alive
An Afghan woman makes bread in a makeshift underground oven which she then sells for €1 ($1.10) to other refugees. Due to deteriorating conditions and food provisions that are below standard quality many refugees who remain for long in the camp of Moria have found new ways to pass the day and remember home.
Image: DW/D. Tosidis
A soothing hand
Countless refugees need urgent medical attention. Doctors without Borders operate an emergency clinic opposite Moria for the most urgent cases, as the main camp currently only has one doctor and the hospital of Mytilene is overwhelmed and in some cases unwilling to treat refugees.
Image: DW/D. Tosidis
Discarded dreams
A "graveyard" of life jackets and boats on the island's north is a stark reminder of the last huge influx of refugees in 2015/16. Lesbos has been at the center of the refugee crisis for years as thousands of people have landed on its shores. Currently there are more than 11,000 refugees spread across the islands. That number is expected to rise sharply by the end of the year.
Image: DW/D. Tosidis
Monotonous routine
Waiting in line has become the main daily activity for those stuck in Moria limbo — even for children. Some wait for hours in order to receive food and water.
Image: DW/D. Tosidis
From the frying pan into the fire
A group of refugees prepares to board a ship which will take them to mainland Greece. After the sudden arrival of 600 people in one night, the Greek government decided to transfer 1,400 people to the mainland. Most were taken to the camp of Nea Kavala in a remote village in northern Greece.
Image: DW/D. Tosidis
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Conservative politician Kostas Kiranakis argued in response that citizens from non-EU countries shouldn't dictate how Greeks live and that restrictions to the barbecue would mean restrictions to the rights of Greek citizens.
As of October this year, around 55,000 immigrants have arrived in Greece from Turkey, significantly more than the 50,500 immigrants that arrived by the end of last year.
