Greece: No hope, limited options for refugees in Idomeni

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/no-hope-limited-options-for-refugees-in-idomeni/a-19111009

Buried in water and mud and faced with closed borders, thousands of refugees in Idomeni are trying to figure out their options. Marianna Karakoulaki reports from the transit camp.

No hope, limited options for refugees in Idomeni
Marianna Karakoulaki
11.03.2016

~snip~

Fed up with waiting and up to their knees in mud and water, more and more people are considering joining the relocation programmes - a European mechanism set to tackle the migration crisis, resettling and distributing refugees proportionally in Europe.

"I think the options that the refugees should have are those that are detailed in international principles and laws, which is access to asylum. It's very clear that we are in Europe and there needs to be access to a European mechanism where refugees are registered, screened and where there is responsibility and solidarity with Greece and with these people," Babar Baloch, spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), told DW.

The relocation programme is for people who need international protection and it applies to nationals and stateless persons of Syria, Iraq, Eritrea, and the Central African Republic. Once they apply, they can choose their country of destination but the asylum agency will make the final decision. Priority is given to vulnerable groups, families, and those who have family members in the countries of their choice.

"We are trying to council and inform the people of what options they have exactly. One is that they can apply for asylum in Greece - they should have access to it - the other is the EU-wide relocation. We are seeing more and more requests for the relocation. Interest is peeking up; we see 100, 150 every day," said Baloch.

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This camper's take on the refugee crisis:

Greece was recently bailed out by the EU, but the austerity imposed on Greece would make Iron Maggie blush. And now Greece needs to figure out how to help these refugees survive through the winter.

Remember once upon a time when you could travel anywhere in the EU without going through customs? This is apparently ending.

Angela Merkel has been a driving force to get the EU on board with her refugee policies. And she is being challenged by the same right wing nutbags we are seeing daily on our television screens in America.