Hate on the streets : xenophobic violence in Greece

Author / Creator

Sunderland, Judith

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Summary

"Xenophobic violence has reached alarming proportions in Greece, particularly in the capital city of Athens. Vigilante groups of up to twenty people, often with their faces hidden and sometimes arm...

"Xenophobic violence has reached alarming proportions in Greece, particularly in the capital city of Athens. Vigilante groups of up to twenty people, often with their faces hidden and sometimes armed with clubs or beer bottles, attack migrants and asylum seekers regularly. These attacks usually take place at night on or near particular town squares. Victims have been dragged off buses, beaten, stabbed, and scarred for life. Hate on the Streets, based on dozens of interviews with victims, government officials, police and others, shows that Greek authorities have been shamefully slow in acknowledging the extent of xenophobic violence and taking concerted steps to arrest this disturbing trend. The police fail to take preventive action or respond adequately to reports of attacks, have discouraged victims from filing official complaints and threatened undocumented migrants with detention if they persist in seeking justice. Perpetrators are rarely arrested or prosecuted; to date no one has been convicted of racially-aggravated assault under a 2008 criminal law provision. The economic crisis and migratory pressure are no excuse for the Greek government's failure to counter xenophobic violence. Human Rights Watch calls on the Greek government to repudiate xenophobic violence, and take immediate steps to ensure vigorous law enforcement action to prevent and punish these hate crimes. Criminal law reform, specialized training, and better recording of hate crimes are urgently needed. The EU should support these efforts."--P. [4] of cover.

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