Those who now reach the shores of Crete in small and fragile boats come because Europe offers no safe or legal way to seek asylum, though international law recognizes their right to do so. They come because war, poverty, and persecution leave them no other choice.
We remember that ten years ago, the Aegean islands – Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, among others – became the frontline of Europe’s border regime. So called “reception centers” were built here, which were meant to be temporary. Instead, they turned into overcrowded camps where people lived for years in misery, navigating fires, violence, and despair. We remember the promises that were made then: that such suffering would never be repeated.
Now boats arrive in Crete, and we fear the same mistakes. We fear new camps that confine rather than protect, isolation instead of welcoming, deterrence instead of dignity. The Greek government suspended asylum procedures for people arriving from North Africa. This is a blatant violation of international law. It punishes those fleeing war and persecution simply based on the point of their departure. Instead of protection, they face legal limbo, detention, and deportation. This measure turns the right to asylum into an empty promise and exposes lives to even greater danger.
We hold in our hearts the families who step onto the sand exhausted, the children who deserve safety, the elders who cannot walk yet must flee. And we hold in our hearts, too, the island communities, who are not to blame, yet are left to face this reality on their own because governments refuse to act with justice and solidarity. It is not the presence of migrants that creates fear and division, but the decision of authorities to abandon both the newcomers and the local people.
May Crete not become another Lesvos. That’s what we hope from Lesvos: that the mistakes are not repeated.
We ask for the courage to resist indifference. We ask for the clarity to name policies that put lives in danger. We ask for the strength to accompany those who arrive and we stand with those who refuse to turn away.
May dignity win over despair.
