#IStand WithGreece

In March 2020, pressure had been exerted on Greece's eastern land and sea borders with the purposeful round up and transport of thousands of people seeking entry into Greece. This operation was coordinated from the top of the Turkish government, by Turkish President Erdogan himself. This Turkish operation was in direct violation of Turkey's agreement with the European Union in regards to thwarting human trafficking.

As a Greek community, from coast-to-coast, we exerted pressure on our government via Global Affairs Canada to strongly condemn on the international stage Turkey's blatant use of these people as a pawn in Turkey's attempts at exerting pressure on the EU and other regional players into doing its bidding in Syria and elsewhere.

AHEPA Toronto launched comprehensive campaign that stretch across Canada. We enabled 650+ individuals to send an email directly to the Minister of Global of Affairs, François-Philippe Champagne and empowered Greek Canadians on social media to share and advocate.

Email Sent

650+

RALLY AT QUEEN’S PARK

300+ Participants

LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Dear Mr. Champagne,

As you are aware, in recent days, pressure has been exerted on Greece's eastern land and sea borders with the purposeful round up and transport of thousands of people seeking entry into Greece and, ultimately, the rest of Europe under the guise of being refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. This movement, however, is coordinated and encouraged by Turkey and these actions are in breach of the obligations arising from the 'European Union - Turkey Joint Declaration.' As such, instead of taking action to thwart the human trafficking of migrants and refugees, Turkey has not only reneged on her obligations under the Joint Declaration, but has itself become the region's human trafficker.

The people who have now been transported by the Turkish government and who are now concentrated at the Greek-Turkish border are now forcibly attempting to enter Greek territory with the Turkish military's assistance, despite the fact that it has been made clear by the Greek side that no illegal entry will be permitted on to its territory.

Because of the coordinated and massive nature of this Turkish government operation, it must be understood that this mass concentration of people at the Greek-Turkish border has absolutely nothing to do with international asylum law which concerns very specific and legitimate individual cases [i.e. for people owing to fear of persecution on protected grounds, including race, caste, nationality, religion, political opinions and participation in any particular social group or social activities]. According to Turkish media reports, many of those concentrated at the Greek-Turkish borders also include formerly incarcerated ISIS members, pro-ISIS Turkish fighters and among these groups even some legitimate refugees and asylum seekers. Under these chaotic circumstances, the current situation at the Greek-Turkish border constitutes a serious threat to Greece's national security and to regional stability.

Those concentrated at the Greek-Turkish border are being openly used as pawns by the Turkish government in order to exert Turkish diplomatic pressure on to the international community and to avert the Turkish public's attention from the recent Turkish failures in Syria - in particular the very high death toll of Turkish soldiers. Greece is not responsible for the war in Syria, nor for the recent Turkish loss of lives. As such, Greece has the right to unquestionably exercise its sovereign rights and its constitutional obligation to safeguard the country's national security and its territorial integrity.

Canada, a staunch ally of Greece, also has an obligation to not remain silent in the face of this tragic event that is currently unfolding on the Greek-Turkish borders. Global Affairs Canada must send a very clear message strongly condemning this coordinated Turkish government effort in which people are being openly used as pawns due to failures in both Turkey's endeavors in Syria and its diplomacy.

Sincerely,

AHEPA Toronto