For the past three years, and especially since September 2014, this global drama called migration has unfolded in Idomeni, on the border between Greece and Macedonia, 75km from Thessaloniki.
The victims are refugees from Iran, Morocco, Somalia-- "children of a lesser God," wronged for the second time. This time, they are wronged in front of our eyes, in the heart of Europe. A river of wretched souls; the odyssey of refugees and migrants.
Refugees and migrants make a long journey to Europe-- whose inaction leads defenseless souls to merciless humiliation, abuse, robbery, and abduction into the clutches of the mafia.
Let's start at the beginning; a few weeks ago, and without any warning, migrants of all nationalities, except Syrians, Afghans, and Iraqis were denied access to the Balkan countries, and sent back to Athens. During the four months that preceded that decision, the flow from the Balkans to Europe had continued with little restriction.
The central idea behind this decision was that only war refugees are entitled to seek asylum. But what about the Somalis and Palestinians? Are there no massacres and wars there? Once again, Europe is making mistakes that will only energize the mafia and the smugglers.
Abandoned shoes and other items are seen in a tent in the refugee camp at the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on December 9, 2015. (Sakis Mitrolidis/AFP/Getty Images)
Since autumn 2014, we warned that smuggling and extortion of unprotected Syrian and Afghan refugees had reached its zenith. At that time, the territory of Macedonia had gathered mafias who enjoyed special treatment, a type of "immunity" accounted for by the idleness of Europe and the authorities of neighboring countries. Just 300 meters from the Macedonian border, one will find five small cottages, where one of the largest networks in the modern slave trade was born and developed. Prohibitions set by the authorities send refugees right in the arms of smugglers.
If Syrians do not pay money to smugglers, then there are criminal gangs who take care of getting money in every hideous way, even with brute force. This situation has sometimes even led to the taking of hostages. The small health center of Polykastro has often made appeals for dressings and sutures, since there was a high number of victims brought back almost daily from the border of Macedonia.
Refugees who passed through Idomeni everyday were in immediate danger, while incidents of violence that unfolded on the border led the Syrians to exercise self-defense. Groups of immigrants were forming small armies, sometimes reaching 300 people, to protect their families and themselves from the gangs that were active on the territory of Macedonia. They gathered sticks and stones, arming themselves with courage. All the while, refugees reported incidents of violence on social media.
A girl carries firewood near a camp set for migrants and refugees waiting to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on December 8, 2015. (Sakis Mitrolidis/AFP/Getty Images)
For the past month, more than 3000 migrants and refugees have been trapped on the border. Smugglers appeared promptly. Selling hope, they exploit migrants--fake ID papers may cost up to 1000 euros ($1200): the price they pay to continue their trip to Europe. For those who do not have this amount of money, the alternative is to cross the mountains to Serbia, with prices ranging between 100 to 400 euros ($110 to $440).
During the past few weeks in Idomeni, Europe's inhuman attitude of Europe has led to the unfair treatment of these poor souls. Moroccans, Iranians and people from Asian countries have to wait in the cold --watching everyone else cross the border-- without being given any information on their rights or their future.
Iranians and Moroccans have launched hunger strikes and protests at the border, mostly peaceful. They chanted and wrote messages on plastic cartons, begging the Europeans to allow them entry.
Migrants and refugees hold a placard as they protest while waiting to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on December 7, 2015. (Sakis Mitrolidis/AFP/Getty Images)
I try to imagine how I would feel if I were with my family in the woods of Idomeni, at the mercy of the weather, but also of every devious person who has the power to define my life. How angry would I get? How much of my dignity would I lose, and how many risks would I face, with the gangs that grow these days at the borders?
What is this law that bans people from entry? What is this law that prevails over human life?
The inability to control the migration issue led to the dangerous option of the normalization of illegal smugglers.
The European Commission's only contact with the migration issues is through reports issued by NGOs and international organizations. The work of MEPs remains at an academic level. No real solution has not been proposed by these responsibility-fearing employees who simply carry out the decisions of others. Europe, because of its misguided decisions, will once again accept tens of thousands of refugees on its territory, without knowing where they came from and who they are. The fort will not stand for long. Where might the next passage be? Albania? Kosovo? Macedonia? Bosnia-Herzegovina?
Say hello to smuggling and mafia in Europe!
This piece was originally published on HuffPost Greece and was translated into English.