Stranded refugees demand Greek-Macedonian border opening
Hundreds of refugees have staged a protest on Greece’s border with Macedonia, demanding the opening of the border.
Stranded for days, refugee men, women and children in hundreds braved the rain in the Greek village of Idomeni, near the Greece-Macedonia border on Sunday, calling for the border to be opened.
The refugee protesters, wearing rain coats and carrying umbrellas, chanted “Merkel” as they waved their fists in the air, pinning their hopes on the German chancellor to persuade the other states along the 'Balkan corridor' to reopen their border gates.
Since the Balkan border blockade, some 12,000 people have put up makeshift tents at Idomeni and are living in miserable conditions waiting to cross.
Europe is facing its biggest refugee crisis since World War Two. Hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing conflict-ridden zones in Africa and the Middle East have trekked across the Balkans route from Greece to northern Europe.
European Union (EU) member states along the route, however, have been tightening their borders, making the already perilous journey across the sea and land in rain, snow and cold more difficult for the refugees.
The EU has also offered Turkey billions of dollars to stem the flow of refugees arriving on the continent.
Some 1,255,600 refugees reached Europe in 2015, according to a recent report by Eurostat, statistical office of the EU.
Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis topped the Eurostat’s list of refugees.
Many blame the Western countries’ intervention in conflicts in the Middle East as the main reason behind the refugees’ decision to leave their home countries.
EU's Borrell says ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders binding
Russia launches 'ICBM' for first time against Ukraine: Kiev
Borrell urges sanctions on Israel for war crimes
The important of Venezuela for Iran
Iran beats traditional rival Russia in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling friendly
Rape trials trigger protests against French ‘sexist and misogynistic’ culture
US photographer opens Berlin exhibition with anti-Israel speech
VIDEO | Press TV's News Headlines
VIDEO | US 'non-profit killer’ bill targets pro-Palestinian groups
Explainer: How Yemeni military chased away US aircraft carrier from Red Sea?
French march for women of Palestine
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
