“Universal Human Rights in Europe’s closed borders” Conference in Greece

This event is a part of our Refugees and Migration Policies project, which highlights the local context as a space in which the European and national realities intersect in their impact on the situation with refugees and asylum seekers.

The conference provided analysis of human rights in the context of closed European borders. The first part of the event focused on the political direction of the European Union and it addressed the latest EU policies, EU-Turkey deal and relocation schemes. The second part focused on the societal dimension with insights into the role of civil society, integration and education.

PROGRAMME:

09h30 Registration Opens

10h00 – 10h45 Welcome by Susanne Rieger, co-Chair of GEF and Olga Kikou, President of the Green Institute

PART 1: Is Europe’s migration policy headed in the right direction?

10h15-11h00 Is the EU-Turkey Agreement a necessary compromise or a retreat at the expense of human rights? Following the latest developments, does Turkey constitute a reliable partner for the EU? The “Visegrad” countries are “fortified” against the refugee flow. Are there any alternative policies?

Moderator:  Alexandros Georgopoulos, Member of the Board, Green Institute Greece

Speakers:

• I. Mouzalas, Alternate Minister of Migration
• K. Tsitselikis, President of the Greek Association for Human Rights, professor at AUTH
• J. Lambert, MEP, European Green Party, UK
• G. Dimaras, MP elected by SYRIZA, member of Ecologists Greens, Greece

11h15-12h00 Relocation and Resettlement Plan: an effective political tool or EU’s double talk? Which initiatives should be adopted at national and European level? Turkey and Treaty of Geneva. Greece: Reconsideration of the framework of the Treaty of Dublin. A Common European Asylum Service. An evaluation of the European peace initiative.

Speakers:

• N. Syrmos, Asylum Service, Independent Relocation Unit
• Μ. Tremopoulos, former MEP of Ecologists Greens, Greece
• D. Kapetanaki, Representative of the UN Refugee agency (U.N.H.C.R.)
• G. Spyropoulou, Representative of Amnesty International

PART 2: The social dimensions of the refugee issue:  European and Greek policy towards the refugees

12h30-13h30 Europe’s approach towards the refugees. What is the potential of Europe and Greece to host refugees? Examples of self-organized refugee care structures. Relocation prospects for refugees in EU countries.

Moderator:  Vedran Horvat, Institute for Political Ecology, Croatia

Speakers:

• M. Peteinaki, co-spokesperson of Ecologists Greens, Greece
• P. Konstantinou, Movement United Against Racism and Fascism Threat (Κ.Ε.Ε.R.F.Α.)
• T. Katerini, President of  Architects’ Society (S.A.D.A.S)
• E. Papagiannakis, Deputy Mayor, Chair of Immigrants’ Integration Council

13h45-14h45 NGOs and volunteer groups and the «disabled» Greek State. Challenges and recommendations for a more effective coordination.

Speakers:

• G. Charitakis, Volunteer doctor, NGO ‘Doctors of the World’
• S. Alexopoulos, Representative of the group «Pampeiraiki Initiative»
• M. Kloka, Human rights sector, NGO PRAKSIS
• P. Dragatis, Social Worker, Representative of the Greek Red Cross

TIME & VENUE: Saturday, 24th of September 2016, from 9h30 until 15h00 at B.E.A Hall, 18 Akadimias & Voukourestiou Street, Athens

MORE INFO: Event announcement is available in Greek on this webpage.