A group of 250 illegal immigrants has taken the law school in the City of Athens as a hostage. They demand legalization, and threaten with starvation unless their wishes are granted. And of course, they will not leave the University Campus. Will the Greek government give in to this blackmail or shall it come up with a work-around for the University Asylum clause?
A new day has dawned on the eternal discussion on University Asylum in Greece, as some 250 illegal immigrants reside in Athens Law School premises, demanding to be legalized. I was wondering when it would pop-up again, and quoting 90's song: 'Whoomp - there it is'.
It was only in 2008 when the Greek City of Athens was under siege from anarchist groups, that took home-base in the University building scattered around the city center area, dashing out to throw objects such as stones, sticks and Molotov cocktails to the shops, pedestrian and police alike in close vicinities. Now don't get me wrong: there's nothing as exhilarating as the smell of burning cars, buildings and trashcans in the cold winter evenings, or nothing as exciting as the smell of maze on your way to the office; but the siege disabling the city from normal functions for weeks at an end, does get a bit tiring. Not the least because the politicians, army and the police are all stripped to their proverbial underwear in the search for a working solution. See, the problem lies in the fact that all the previously mentioned arms of the law are prohibited, by the constitution, to enter the University areas, in order to guarantee the educational freedom to express ones thoughts. (Very gallant.)They can only enter with a special invitation.
During the revolution, and in the few years following, I admit - the whole thing worked. During and in the after-math of 2008 and 2009 demonstrations, I've had my doubts raising their ugly heads, and was wondering, when it might become an Union level issue. Today, we are well on our way.
For a foreigner the solution is easy: the head of the University can simply invite the police/ army/ special forces to enter the area, and remove the 'unwanted' guests. During the winter 2008, when half of the city was in flames, people loosing their health, businesses and homes in the destruction of the violent outbursts and demonstrations, one did wonder, why doesn't anyone do something? In the 20th century, withing the European Union, I'm beginning to question whether these types of laws are granting too much leeway to people, which in most European countries would be known as 'common criminals'. I'm waiting (although not holding my breath) to see which twists and turns the hot potatoes will bounce with different political parties, military and law enforcement, the Ministry of Education, and so forth, while counting rounds before it will end up in the discussion table of the European Union Commission. Will someone dig-up some long lost spine, or will they have to call the Olli Rehn-hotline once again?
A new day has dawned on the eternal discussion on University Asylum in Greece, as some 250 illegal immigrants reside in Athens Law School premises, demanding to be legalized. I was wondering when it would pop-up again, and quoting 90's song: 'Whoomp - there it is'.
It was only in 2008 when the Greek City of Athens was under siege from anarchist groups, that took home-base in the University building scattered around the city center area, dashing out to throw objects such as stones, sticks and Molotov cocktails to the shops, pedestrian and police alike in close vicinities. Now don't get me wrong: there's nothing as exhilarating as the smell of burning cars, buildings and trashcans in the cold winter evenings, or nothing as exciting as the smell of maze on your way to the office; but the siege disabling the city from normal functions for weeks at an end, does get a bit tiring. Not the least because the politicians, army and the police are all stripped to their proverbial underwear in the search for a working solution. See, the problem lies in the fact that all the previously mentioned arms of the law are prohibited, by the constitution, to enter the University areas, in order to guarantee the educational freedom to express ones thoughts. (Very gallant.)They can only enter with a special invitation.
During the revolution, and in the few years following, I admit - the whole thing worked. During and in the after-math of 2008 and 2009 demonstrations, I've had my doubts raising their ugly heads, and was wondering, when it might become an Union level issue. Today, we are well on our way.
For a foreigner the solution is easy: the head of the University can simply invite the police/ army/ special forces to enter the area, and remove the 'unwanted' guests. During the winter 2008, when half of the city was in flames, people loosing their health, businesses and homes in the destruction of the violent outbursts and demonstrations, one did wonder, why doesn't anyone do something? In the 20th century, withing the European Union, I'm beginning to question whether these types of laws are granting too much leeway to people, which in most European countries would be known as 'common criminals'. I'm waiting (although not holding my breath) to see which twists and turns the hot potatoes will bounce with different political parties, military and law enforcement, the Ministry of Education, and so forth, while counting rounds before it will end up in the discussion table of the European Union Commission. Will someone dig-up some long lost spine, or will they have to call the Olli Rehn-hotline once again?
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