Environmental social science

A 29-year old Afghan migrant reportedly raped a 13-year old Afghani boy at the hotspot of VIAL on the island of Chios. The incident, which allegedly took place last Friday, came to light when the victim, reported the crime to the police. The accused rapist was arrested by the local police and is being held in custody and was charged with a felonious act by the local prosecutor.

The Greek transport industry has suffered great losses due to the occupation of the railway tracks at Idomeni by refugees and illegal migrants in northern Greece, according to the industry’s representative.

The serious injury of a Syrian migrant of Kurdish origin, who was reportedly hit by a police van at the Idomeni refugee camp, Monday, has caused tempers to rise among the refugees and migrants at the camp.

A 40-year old Syrian-Kurd migrant is in critical condition after reportedly being hit by a police car at Idomeni refugee camp. According to police sources, the police car did not hit the man but he fell off a scaffolding in front of a patrol vehicle. The 40-year old was immediately rushed to Kilkis hospital and then to the ‘Papageorgiou Hospital’ in Thessaloniki.

NGO pro-refugee solidarity groups at the port of Piraeus are obstructing the orderly departure of refugees and migrants to the hotspot of Skaramanga, by attempting to take control of the procedures.

The police operation of clearing the Idomeni railway tracks on Monday morning proved a great fiasco, as hours later refugees promptly set up their tents again at exactly the same area!

A refugee was taken to hospital with head injuries after clashes broke out among refugees at the port of Piraeus, Sunday night. According to Skai TV, the scuffle broke out when two migrants fought over a mobile phone. There are 4,000 refugees and illegal migrants at the port of Piraeus in an impromptu camp, as they refuse to move to organised hotspots in other areas of Greece.   

Up on the Italian Alps, at a point perched on the mountain slopes near the French border, Sestriere takes you away from harsh realities of world news. A clear sky, snowy peaks, serene atmosphere, all creates an idyllic setting to escape from the depressing broadcasts. However, in a gathering of journalists, there is no way to stay disconnected from the rest of the world. 

Two moving moments during Pope Francis’s visit at the Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesvos unfolded, when a weeping refugee started begging the Pope to bless him ‘Father please, bless me…”, said the crying man on his knees.

Pope blesses weeping refugee

I was in Washington, D.C. this week. Having attended multiple panels on the region, I heard so many negative things about the current state of affairs in Turkey. The word "vexation" was especially used many times with reference to Turkey. Speaking to concerned observers, I just pointed out the latest survey results of Turkish Statistics Institution (TU?K).