Greece: a new, tougher law against racism?

By @IrateGreek

Greek media hailed on 07 May 2013 a proposed new bill against racism that was reportedly prepared by the Ministry of Justice and will be submitted to parliament after the Easter holiday. According to news reports (see e.g. here, here, here and here), the new bill proposes much harsher penalties for all forms of hate speech, with prison sentences ranging from 3 to 6 years and fines up to €20,000, while deprivation of political rights would be considered in certain cases. Discussion of this bill began in the public debate as it was announced that parliament would discuss lifting the immunity of Golden Dawn MP Germenis following his assault on Mayor of Athens Kaminis last week during a food distribution "for Greeks only" organized by Golden Dawn.

Police disperse Golden Dawn food distribution for Greeks only in Athens

Greece's neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn had announced that it would conduct a food distribution for Greeks only ahead of orthodox Easter on Thursday 2 May in Syntagma square, Athens. This follows the pattern of all Golden Dawn socially-oriented actions, which aim at conspicuously excluding immigrants.

The Mayor of Athens, Giorgos Kaminis, stated on Wednesday that he would take all necessary measures to prevent the food distribution from happening on the grounds that it is a racist, discriminatory operation intended not to relieve people living in poverty but to provide Golden Dawn with a photo-op. 

#rbnews weekly bulletin 06-15 March 2013

The text companion to this week's #rbnews international show is now online. You can read it after the jump.

Interview with Laurie Penny and Yiannis Baboulias

On 15/10/2012, @IrateGreek and @tsimitakis interviewed Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) and Yiannis Baboulias (@YiannisBab). We talked about Greece, the rise of neo-nazism, comparisons with other fascist movements in Europe and how the media should manage such movements. You can listen to the podcast after the jump.

Pogrom against Pakistanis at Nikaia

Translated by @iptamenos33

New attacks by extreme-right wing groups against Pakistanis took place last Friday and Saturday night in Nikaia (Piraeus suburb). After the threats and the ultimatums that were distributed amongst Pakistani shop owners by groups of the extreme right –Golden Dawn –according to eyewitnesses- and after the anti-racism demonstration of last Thursday, the racist groups struck again.

Far-right popularity amid austerity and xenophobia

By @inflammatory_

Approximately 20 far-right activists wearing helmets and holding bats reportedly attacked university students affiliated with left wing political groups. The attack, which appeared to be well organised and targeted, took place in Athens University's school of science early this afternoon during students’ union assembly. Three students were transferred to hospital suffering injuries.The fascists were allegedly members of National People's Front and Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn). 

Various polls* released in the previous week, show Golden Dawn picking up 2.3-3.4% of the national vote, raising fears that "armed conflict" might become a legitimate form of political expression. With Greece under harsh austerity measures, social tensions and xenophobia are on the rise. In an attempt to get voters back who have switched to Golden Dawn, LAOS far-right party leader Giorgos Karatzaferis, has been advocating for gun permit as a means of citizens' protection against illegal immigrants. 

Meanwhile, 300 undocumented immigrants have been detained by police, as Minister of Citizen Protection, Michael Chrysochoidis has ordered a "sweep" operation in central Athens. Thirty disused military camps across the country are planned to operate before elections as detention centres, aiming to provide housing for illegal immigrants. Northern prefecture's official Aris Giannakidis, argues among others, that "immigration influx is a European issue. We cannot carry its burdens alone on our shoulders".

*polls by Kapa Research, MRM, Marc