Anna DütschOne and a half year has passed since the state crime near Pylos was committed, which led to the death of more than 600 people migrating to Europe. Despite the irrefutable evidence and testimonies of shipwreck survivors, those responsible for this crime have not yet been brought before the judicial authorities. In fact, the perpetrators continue to carry out their duties with impunity, not only posing a constant threat to people on the move but also exemplifying the immunity they receive.
The Pylos state crime was not an isolated incident, nor was it the last. The shipwreck was the result of the intensifying systemic violence against people crossing into Greece and the EU. Their increasing dehumanisation has led to a horrifying situation. The EU’s policies of securitisation and militarisation of its borders and territories confront people on the move with even greater violence and constant violations of their rights. Pushback operations, arbitrary and prolonged imprisonment in detention centres in European border countries, and cooperation with authoritarian regimes in neighbouring countries have led to an unprecedented number of dead and missing persons.
A year and a half ago, on 14 June 2023, while the fishing trawler Adriana, with 750 people on board was reportedly in danger, the Greek authorities deliberately delayed any rescue operation: at first the authorities ignored distress calls, only monitoring the trawler; subsequently, authorities attempted to tow the Adriana away from the Greek Search and Rescue zone, causing its capsizing. In this cynical and ultimately deadly attempt, authorities tried to remove any possible eyewitnesses, not only by refusing the assistance offered by EU’s agency Frontex but also by turning away commercial vessels alongside. After the sinking of the Adriana, survivors reported unjustified delays in their rescue, with the result that only 104 people were saved. Instead of supporting them, the Greek authorities went as far as to charge the survivors with ‘illegal entry’ into the country. In an effort to deflect public outcry and international condemnation, authorities disavowed responsibility for the killing of more than 600 people, and charged 9 of the survivors, blaming them as “smugglers” and for causing the shipwreck. The 9 defendants-survivors of the shipwreck were eventually acquitted by the Greek courts in May 2024 but were denied their right to compensation for nearly a year’s time unjustly spent in prison.
Following the refusal of the Hellenic Coast Guard to initiate an internal disciplinary investigation into the acts of its line of command and officers, the Greek Ombudsman did so at its own motion for administrative acts and omissions. Following criminal complaints by the survivors, investigations into the causes of the state crime have been conducted for over a year by the preliminary investigation authorities of the Piraeus Naval Court in relation to criminal responsibilities. The preliminary investigation was only completed at the end of November, and it is now at the discretion of the Head of the Naval Court Prosecutor’s Office whether to file charges against those responsible.
Extensive and in-depth investigations by independent and international investigative media outlets have not only highlighted the criminal actions of the competent Greek authorities in managing the Adriana incident, but also the concerted effort to cover up the events and protect those responsible.
In addition, the treatment of most of the shipwreck survivors violates the Greek state’s responsibility under international law, including the responsibility to provide shipwreck survivors with psychosocial support. Not only were most of the survivors denied international protection; they are now also threatened with deportation. At the same time, many of the victims’ families are still waiting for the bodies of their loved ones, which have not yet been repatriated.
Demanding justice for the state crime of Pylos is the least we owe to the memory of the victims of the shipwreck and their loved ones, as well as to those who survived the wreckage and have suffered unspeakable trauma. But it is also a crucial point in the struggle for the protection of migrant populations and their rights. At a time when European governments promote discrimination, racism, and exploitation, we join our voices in demanding a world of justice and solidarity.
The state crime of Pylos will neither be forgotten nor forgiven.
The signatory organisations demand:
- The thorough investigation of the causes of the ‘Pylos shipwreck’ and the prosecution of those truly responsible.
- The provision of needed psychosocial support and the granting of international protection to all survivors.
- An immediate end to the criminalisation of migration and the use of “facilitation” as a pretext for the systematic incarceration of people on the move.
- An immediate end to increasingly lethal border violence.
