Over the past two decades, millions of migrants have fled war torn nations destroyed by the United States and its allies – Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, etc., and poverty stricken countries of Africa, seeking refuge in Europe.
Hundreds of thousands have made dangerous trips on makeshift boats from the coast of Turkey to cross the Aegean Sea to eastern Greek islands, landing them at the shortest distance to a gateway into Europe. Doctors Without Borders has stated, “Greece has become a dumping ground for the men, women and children that the European Union has failed to protect.”
Responding to the call to address the horrific overcrowding and life-threatening conditions of the Greek migrant centers, on 10 February, the Greek government announced it would use emergency legal power to accelerate the expansion of migrant campus housing refugees and asylum seekers on the islands.
Anti-Immigrant Anger Erupts
After the Greek government secretly shipped construction machinery and hundreds of riot police officers to Lesbos and Chios islands, last week more than 1,000 people were at the migrant centers attacking police. Some 45 police and a dozen protesters were wounded in the standoff.
Despite the opposition for more refugee camps, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was able to win election this past July in part due to his promise to take a hardline on migration, stated his commitment to keep building them. “We understand there is a problem of trust that was created over the previous years. But the closed facilities will be built and we are calling on the public to support this,” his office spokesperson said.
TREND FORECAST: “Human Waves,” one of our Top Trends for 2019, of refugees seeking safety in foreign nations, will continue to escalate as global economies decelerate and geopolitical unrest accelerates. Populist and nationalist movements to secure borders will continue to replace established parties in nations most affected by the “Human Wave” crisis.
