This Monday 18th March marks three years since the EU-Turkey deal came into force. On Saturday 16 th March, a solidarity demonstration will take place at 12pm in Sappho Square, Mytilene, called by international actors working for the rights of migrants on the island. Lesvos Solidarity will stand with those across Europe and Greece resisting the deal and the racism and fascism that has been exacerbated as a result. We will be joining those in Athens, Thessaloniki, and around Europe demonstrating at the same time.

On 16 July 2018, following a hearing at the court of Mytilene and an inspection of the PIKPA refugee camp, an application for interim measures against the camp was rejected. The application was submitted by 5 hotel owners and 2 individuals both in the Neapoli area of Mytilene, and referred to risks of lost profits, environmental degradation, risks to public health and detrimental effects on the quality of life in the area. The Municipality of Lesvos as well as the Lesvos Hoteliers Association supported the application for the interim measures.

Lesvos Solidarity reacts to the reports regarding the announcement by the Region of North Aegean to close down the open, self- organised space of PIKPA in Neapoli due to the report by the Hygiene Service, which considers it dangerous to public health and the environment.

Lesvos Solidarity calls for the immediate release of a vulnerable case currently unnecessarily detained in PROKEKA, the prison within Moria refugee camp. His is one of many inhumane and illegal detention cases linked to the EU-Turkey deal.

PIKPA Mytilene began in 2012. It as an open space accommodating refugees and supports vulnerable groups of refugees and locals. It is also a venue for a creative meeting of people from all over the world. Furthermore, PIKPA operates as a support and reception structure in case of emergency.

PIKPA de Mytilène (Lesvos) fonctionne depuis 2012. Il s’agit d’un espace ouvert qui accueille des réfugiés, qui soutient des groupes vulnérables (réfugiés et locaux), et qui, en même temps, sert en tant que point de repère et rassemblement créatif des personnes qui viennent de tout le monde.

Das Flüchtlingslager PIKPA in Mytilini (Lesbos) ist seit 2012 ein Ort, der Geflüchtete beherbergt und für die Unterstützung anfälliger Bevölkerungsgruppen sorgt.