The Presidents of the Greek and Cypriot governments

The Prime Minister of Greece

The Ministers of foreign affairs of Greece and Cyprus

The leadership of the Church of Greece and Cyprus

Cc:

The leaders of all political parties of Greece and Cyprus

The Members of the Parliament of Greece and Cyprus

The Members of the European Parliament

The Members of the United Nations Parliamentary Assembly

Illegal immigration along with the demographic crisis constitute the most serious issues regarding the survival of our nation.  The continuing uncontrolled influx of illegal immigrants – of which a very small percentage are actually refugees – into a virtually bankrupt stateexacerbates already severe problems in the economy, employment prospects, health care and education, and has altered the identity and culture of our nation contributing to an increase in crime that is unprecedented for our country. The policy of multiculturalism of the ruling parties creates ethnic and religious minorities that will eliminate the homogeneity and social cohesion of Greek society and, as it has already occurred in France, Sweden and elsewhere, will create a nation of antagonistic communities. Government policies which grant housing and social  security allowances to illegal immigrants, while many Greeks – once homeowners – now survive by searching through trash bins, and our unemployed youth flee their homeland to go abroad at an ever accelerating pace, are irrational, provocative and unacceptable from a government whoseprimary role is assumed to be to defend and support  the Greek people. Most NGOs supposedly operating on a humanitarian basis are left to act unrestrained and deviously while all kinds of traffickers are enriched. Illegal immigration creates a modern worldwide class of destitute workers, all funded by non-institutional organizations supported by the neoliberal left and right parties. From a strategic point of view, it has become apparent that illegal immigration is being instigated by Turkey as a weapon for the creation of a large Islamic minority in Greece, which, either spontaneously or provoked by controversy, will be exploited in the future, as it was in Cyprus.

The political leadership must consider its national responsibilities rather than spending time on supposed ideological but also party-based controversies when the survival of the country is at stake. We call on the government to honor its pre-election commitments and to take decisive and effective measures to tackle illegal immigration, such as:

1) To seal the Greek borders which must be guarded by the Armed Forces and Security Forces using modern technological means. To immediately and insistently urge the European Union (EU) to have the registration and identification of illegal immigrants and refugees in Turkey. From there, those who are entitled to asylum may travel legally to the countries where they wish to live. If the Turkish government rejects this proposal, the United Nations could establish safe zones in the conflict regions where refugees will be registered and then travel as refugees.  It is unfair and tragic for Greece to pay for the consequences of wars for which it has absolutely no responsibility and by doing so endanger its very own existence.

2) To prohibit the actions of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) in Greek territorial waters and at the Evros River, as this agency does not act as a deterrent but rather as a facilitator in the influx of illegal immigrants. The presence of FRONTEX in the Aegean would only be useful if it implemented patrol operations along with the Turkish Coast Guard on the Asia Minor coast to prevent departures.

3) For asylum seekers who have already entered illegally, procedures for granting asylum mustbe speeded up immediately and by all possible means only to those who are eligible. Illegal immigrants from countries that are not in a state of war must be promptly returned to their countries. Those who are not in possession of official documents (passport, identity card) or have been convicted of criminal offenses should be deported by fast track procedures.

4) Illegal immigration should be managed by the Greek authorities in order to have responsible state control instead of the well-paid and arbitrarily functioning NGOs. 

5) The dispersal of illegal immigrants to various parts of the country should be avoided as it presents great risks.  The overcrowded conditions on the islands must be relieved with the deportation of those not entitled to asylum.

6) To demand the repeal of the unfair and unreasonable Dublin III Regulations Treaty. Refugees who have already entered Greece must be dispersed across all EU countries according to each country’s local population and financial capacity. 

7) To repeal of Law 4332/2015 referring to the Modification of Provisions of the Code of Greek Citizenship published in Government Gazette A 7 / 6.9.2015. This law is based on an amendment to the well-known Ragousis law of the government of George Papandreou (Law 3838/2010), which was declared unconstitutional by the Council of State.

We look forward to an accountable government response to this most urgent problem facing our country. We also call on the Greek people to be in constant vigilance and take action before the effects of this state of affairs become irreversible. Those who support this endeavor are invited to add their signature by sending an email to IHAHellas@gmail.com including their surname, name, profession, city and country of residence.

Signatories:

Πηγή: INTERNATIONAL HELLENIC ASSOCIATION