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Tourists Mistaken For Illegal Immigrants Beaten By Greek Police
Greek authorities have been cracking down on illegal immigrants to the country but a number of tourists have been detained as part of the sweep. Some of the travelers have even been beaten so badly by police that they ended up in the hospital, according to the BBC.Greek police patrolling the streets are stopping anyone who looks foreign and asking to see their ID. However, many tourists claim to have been arrested and taken to a police station despite showing authorities their passport.
One tourist from Korea says a police officer punched him in the face after he handed over his passport when stopped in the street in Athens. He was then taken to the police station where he was attacked again in a stairwell.
Another man traveling with his family on a US passport says he was beaten so badly after being detained that he fell unconscious. He woke to find himself in a hospital.
"I went there to spend my money but they stopped me just because of my color. They are racist." Christian Ukwuorji told the BBC.
Greece has been clamping down on illegal immigration as the country's economic woes make it increasingly difficult to support the growing numbers of immigrants. It's believed that as much as 10 percent of the country's population is living there illegally.
Greece is also under pressure from the European community because the country is viewed as a gateway to the EU - almost 95 percent of Europe's illegal immigrants enter via Greece.
More than 60,000 people have been stopped in the streets since the operation began in August last year. The US State Department has updated its travel advisory to warn tourists of the potential harassment.
[Photo Credit: Flickr user George Laoutaris]
Greece is also under pressure from the European community because the country is viewed as a gateway to the EU - almost 95 percent of Europe's illegal immigrants enter via Greece.
More than 60,000 people have been stopped in the streets since the operation began in August last year. The US State Department has updated its travel advisory to warn tourists of the potential harassment.
[Photo Credit: Flickr user George Laoutaris]
Filed under: Europe, Greece, News, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com Feb 7th 2013 11:33AM
Wow, am I so glad I was there in April 2012 before the crackdown began! It's really too bad; Greece needs tourists' money a lot!
lgjhere Jan 12th 2013 1:22PM
Treatment of immigrants varies around the world. An interesting new book/ebook that helps explain the role, struggles, and contributions of immigrants and minorities is "What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z: How to understand crazy American culture, people, government, business, language and more.” It paints a revealing picture of America for those who will benefit from a better understanding. Endorsed by ambassadors, educators, and editors, it also informs Americans who want to learn more about the U.S. and how we compare to other countries around the world on many issues.
As the book points out, immigrants and minorities are a major force in America, as Romney and the GOP recently discovered. Immigrants and the children they bear account for 60 percent of our nation’s population growth and own 11 percent of US businesses and are 60 percent more likely to start a new business than native-born Americans. They represent 17 percent of all new business owners (in some states more than 30 percent). Foreign-born business owners generate nearly one-quarter of all business income in California and nearly one-fifth in the states of New York, Florida, and New Jersey.
Legal immigrants number 850,000 each year; undocumented (illegal) immigrants are estimated to be half that number. They come to improve their lives and create a foundation of success for their children to build upon, as did the author’s grandparents when they landed at Ellis Island in 1899 after losing 2 children to disease on a cramped cattle car-like sailing from Europe to the Land of Opportunity. Many bring skills and a willingness to work hard to make their dreams a reality, something our founders did four hundred years ago. In describing America, chapter after chapter identifies “foreigners” who became successful in the US and contributed to our society. However, most struggle in their efforts and need guidance, be they in Dallas or Anytown, USA. Perhaps intelligent immigration reform, concerned citizens and books like this can extend a helping hand. Here’s a closing quote from the book’s Intro: “With all of our cultural differences though, you’ll be surprised to learn how much our countries—and we as human beings—have in common on this little third rock from the sun. After all, the song played at our Disneyland parks around the world is ‘It’s A Small World After All.’ Peace.” www.AmericaAtoZ.com