Criminalizing the Provisions of Basic Human Rights in Europe

Can you imagine to cross the Mediterranean,
standing with 50 others in such a boat? 

Can you imagine your land is in war, your schools, hospitals, offices and your own house is bombed, several family members are killed?  After five years of war, when there is no end of death and no survival - what would you do?  Flee or patiently await certain death?  I assume 99% would flee... 
And exactly this happens in Syria and other countries.  War refugees cannot just board a plane.  They have to find a way to get out of the country, maybe following friends or family who are already safe in another European country.  As they do not have a car, and have to cross the Mediterranean Sea, they give their lives - and their money - into the hands of smugglers who promise them a boat journey to the next European island.  More than 3,000 war refugees drowned in the last year when unsafe and overcrowded boats capsized.
.

Basic Humanity
For a long time volunteers helped those who arrived alive at the shores - while governments and even the Red Cross were merely absent.  In Greece in 2015, and especially in the North Aegean, we saw an amazing wave of solidarity among Greek citizens and foreigners working together to help to manage the huge wave of refugees arriving on the shores.  In recent days in the Greek islands we are seeing things change as paranoia emerges along with cries to “control” the volunteers and the NGOs.
.

Criminalization of Volunteers

Green European Journal reports: "Fishermen who rescue refugees from the sea and certain death can be charged with aiding illegal immigration. Volunteers who cook in public spaces can be charged for not having secured public health permits.

Volunteer doctors can be charged with working in Greece without having their licenses to be reviewed and approved by the national government. Volunteers who pitch tents in public spaces can be charged with violating laws forbidding camping in public spaces.  Volunteers who help to change the wet clothes of shivering children might be charged with molesting them.

Photographers could be charged with violating military space on the coastlines.  Those who donate food, clothing, and other supplies could be charged for not providing receipts.  And finally, volunteers choosing to work in small groups without large donor bases, high overhead, bank accounts, and tax numbers can be prohibited from offering to help."  

It is just insane...

."Instead of looking for ways to deter the volunteers, the Greek and European Union authorities ought to consider the illegality of their own activities.  They are required by European law to offer asylum to refugees of war.  Is it ethical to close the Schengen borders?  Why blame the volunteers or to imagine that the refugees will stop coming if there are no volunteers to meet them."

<><><><><>

Christmas in Italy, Spain and Greece

.
In many European countries the festival of the Epiphany on January 6 offers yet another chance for festive celebrations - and certainly for gifts. Customers in these countries can do their shopping relaxed on Boxing Day and take advantage of much lower online and store prices.
. 
Spain 
January 6 is traditionally the day that Spanish children get their Christmas presents. Shoes are placed outside their bedrooms overnight, in the hope that the "Three Kings" will be generous with gifts of sweets and small toys. On Epiphany people also eat a sweet, donut shaped bread with candied fruit that contains a small toy or coin.

.

Italy
Ending of the old year and beginning of the new year, il capodanno, is a great time to celebrate in Italy.  Women wear their red underwear to ring in the new year! They say it will bring you luck in the coming year (and maybe many bambini : ). Beautiful red dessous are popular gifts on this last day of the year.

January 6: Italian children, or at least the ones who have been good, are given gifts not by Santa but by a witch. La Befana flies down chimneys or through keyholes to leave presents after deciding who has been naughty and who has been nice. Children leave out stockings, hoping to wake up to discover sweets and toys.

.

Greece

In Greece, Epiphany allows for a cleansing of the "goblins", little ghosts, that pop up between Christmas and January 6 to wreak havoc.  The only cure for this mayhem comes on the eve of Epiphany when the village priests bless the waters that people sprinkle throughout the house. This is usually enough to chase away the evil spirits for another year.  

Resources:

http://goitaly.about.com/od/festivalsandevents/a/newyears.htm

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-celebrates-end-of-christmas-epiphany-s-kings-witches-and-goblins-a-670411.html

<><><><><>

Thousands of Greek Islands for Sale

.

Roughly 6000 islands belong to Greece.  Several hundreds are developed, many in the hands of wealthy Greek families, inherited over generations.  As part of Greece’s bailout plan, the government will have to sell off €50 billion in assets.  And much of that will likely come from selling off some of their 1,200 to 6,000 islands.  Aside from wealthy celebrities, it’s reported that affluent Russian and Chinese investors are also lining up to pick up Greek properties.
.
If you are thinking about a private getaway in the Mediterranean, check out these websites: http://www.privateislandsonline.com has a directory of islands for sale with prices starting at only €3 million. Another website to find islands for sale is http://www.vladi-private-islands.de/
Business Insider shows images and descriptions of some islands too: 
http://www.businessinsider.com/greek-islands-for-sale-and-price-2015-7
Homes for sale in Greece can be found here: http://www.homegreekhome.com/en/homepage/sale/land
If you just want to buy a plot of land, here is the site for you: http://www.homegreekhome.com/en/homepage/sale/land
.

According to the Athens Macedonian News Agency, Johnny Depp is said to have purchased a piece of uninhabited land in the Aegean Sea spanning about 0.2 km for 4.2 million Euros. It also was reported last month that Brad Pitt and wife Angelina Jolie-Pitt were eying up Gaia Island to possibly add it to their real estate portfolio which already includes a French castle. Did Warren Buffet buy a Greek Island as well? One Greek newspaper claims he did.
.

.

This might be just what the Greek economy needs to get a little push. It would help small businesses outside of Athens and Thessaloniki, as visitors and investors all need gas, food, accommodation, plane and boat rides, household goods, water, electricity and the services of craftsmen, maids, gardeners, translators, lawyers ... the list goes on and on.
.
Download a Buyers Guide for Islands, and be aware that ALL beaches in Greece, even those on private islands are free to use for the public...  
Happy island shopping : )

<><><><><>

$3 From Everyone for the People of Greece

.
Tom Feeney, a 29-year-old Yorkshireman living in London, set up a crowdfunding campaign on IndieGoGo this Sunday to help the Greek people. Today the campaign really got momentum - so much that IndieGoGo's server crashed this afternoon. 
.

The initiator pledged: 
European ministers flexing their muscles and posturing over whether they can help the Greek people or not. Why don't we the people just sort it instead?
The European Union is home to 503 million people, if we all just chip in a few Euro then we can get Greece sorted and hopefully get them back on track soon. Easy.

€1.6bn is what the Greeks need. It might seem like a lot but it's only just over €3 from each European. That's about the same as half a pint in London. Or everyone in the EU just having a Feta and Olive salad for lunch.  He promises that all profits will go to the Greek people, donation perks include a postcard of greek prime minister alexis tsipras, a greek feta and olive salad "fresh to your door" and a voucher for a bottle of ouzo.

€805,171EUR raised by 47,751 people in 3 days

To pitch in and help, go to 

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/greek-bailout-fund#/story

Thom Feeney: "I wondered, could the people of Europe have a crack at fixing this? Less talk, more direct action. So, sat at the table after dinner, I started a crowdfunding campaign to try to rescue the Greek economy. Some basic maths told me that I only needed the entire population of Europe to donate €3.19 (£2.26) to reach the amount of the bailout fund. I included some nice perks for donating, including a Greek salad and holiday in Athens for two, and set up a page on IndieGoGo and a Twitter."
.


Meanwhile:
"12 Ultra Rich Greeks Who Should Have Bailed Out Greece Themselves ...
or at least pay their taxes.  While they are hiding 70 Billion Dollars in Swiss and other banks, people in Greece are often rummaging garbage cans for food. Greece's financial troubles forced its people to the streets and its fellow European nations to negotiations about bailing it out." This is from a five year old article at Business Insider - and now the situation is even worse on both sides. Greek people are suffering and no taxes are paid... 

<><><><><>