Exposing police brutality in Greece

Almost every day there is a new incident showing us how much value has the human dignity and safety for the police.As a result we have to think where is this attitude coming from.Are the officers themselves bad trained and full of hate or they just follow orders?

Both answers are already given.This statement proves it to all.

Written by Mariniki Alevizopoulou

There was a woman in her sixties. For a few minutes she lost her vision due to heavy smoke of chemicals and tear gases. She was in panic, suffocating because of respiratory problems and burning lungs. She could not find her own people. Someone moved her to the chair that was right next to the microphones, where the announcer was trying to reassure protesters in Syntagma Square. While some protesters were spraying her with Maalox in order to relieve her, she lifted her wig, revealing her bald head due to chemotherapy.

-“Get out! Let us, the younger confront them,” a protester told her.
-“Dear girl, I will soon die. But I’d rather die here with you than on my couch. I grew old. But they want to kill you young.”

Her voice was interrupted by tear gases and two more sound grenades. She was scared and was brought to the surgery. There was no room to lie down. The incidents were so many that volunteer doctors and rescuers were unable to cope.

One of the rescuers, member of the Red Cross, stood up on a chair and raised a white flag with a red cross on it in front of the dozens of riot police. He believed that he could ensure some protection to his patients.

“You can not drop chemicals here. This is impossible” he was shouting in vain…

Behind the microphone, a lyrist was playing traditional tunes from Crete, attempting to calm the protesters who were bemused by police brutality…

“Their chemicals do not scare us. Our struggle is fair. United we will win! Together here in Syntagma Square which we keep peacefully 22 days now,” the announcer was shouting. His own voice was then covered by protesters who had timidly begun to sing an anti-fascist folk tune: “When the skies be clear?”

Protesters were rhythmically clapping their hands. These moments were horrifying. The riot squad threw a tear gas can above our heads. People begun to run bent over and panicked. Everyone hided where they could. The gases were suffocating. Our lungs were burning, our body had paralysed for a few seconds, visibility was reduced to a dangerous level.

“Everyone please make way. There is a stretcher.” Through the smoke the people find courage and composure to stand aside for help and rescue the demonstrators who lost their consciousness.

The police did not stop. Neither did the lyre. Οne song for every sound grenade. For every inspirational smile, a tear-gas can. This lasted for two hours until the time the police decided to get into the square and disperse us. Tear gas was sprayed in front of the microphone, a few steps further in order to exclude the possibility of escape. Another on the stairs of the Metro, where demonstrators ran to breathe. There were some people from the First Aid Station of the Red Cross in there.

“They are criminals” the people are shouting. They are holding hands or helping those who kneel down due to respiratory problems. They do not know where to go. It all looks like a war zone. A man remains unconscious for a few minutes at the entrance of the provisional surgery. There is no room for more…

Those who did not manage to find a place and hide were being hit by police clubs. Any attempt of resistance means arrest. Altogether 33 people were seriously injured and transferred to hospitals in Athens, 16 were arrested, two were forced to pay €10,000 each because they were wearing masks to protect themselves from tear gas but this has been characterized as “passive resistance against the authorities”…

Normality returns to the square. Photographers and filmmakers of the Media Center collect material that certifies police abuse. Volunteers collect the remaining containers of chemicals. Many of these have an expiry date before 1998. Rescuers put up a copy of the protocol of the Geneva Convention of 1925 which confirms the first international ban on chemical weapons. A decision that has been confirmed clearly and unequivocally by UN General Secretary Thandie Thou, referring to tear gas chemicals. In this report the Secretary proposes that: 1) all the members of the UN should renew the Protocol of 1925, and 2) the prohibition of Geneva Protocol is not being ignored and applies to the use of all chemical, bacteriological and biological weapons (including tear gas and other harmful substances), even during war time.

A woman stands in Syntagma square, surrounded by two riot squads

She holds out her hands to show that she is unarmed. The police gets closer to her…

A police officer kicks her in the back

Two officers spray her with chemicals from a distance of half a meter

Amnesty International has urged the Greek authorities against excessive use of force against protesters during continuing demonstrations in the capital Athens:

The call comes after a largely peaceful demonstration against government spending cuts was marred by small groups of hooded rioters who clashed with police. According to eyewitnesses, the police used excessive amounts of teargas against protesters.

“The Greek police face a tough challenge tackling a volatile situation on the ground but they must ensure that the policing of demonstrations is carried out in a manner that complies with international standards.” said John Dalhuisen, Deputy Director of Amnesty International Europe and Central Asia Programme.

Video footage from yesterday’s protests in Syndagma Square shows several police officers beating a demonstrator, pulling him by his hair and ripping off his top.

Thirty-three protesters were reportedly injured and taken to hospital, most with breathing problems or minor injuries. The Greek police also reported that 36 police officers were injured.

“The Greek authorities must prevent the excessive and indiscriminate use of force and other violations by the police in future protests. They must also ensure a thorough, prompt, independent and impartial investigation into all allegations of such abuses,” said John Dalhuisen.

Greek police are alleged to have used excessive force against a large number of peaceful demonstrators in Athens on 11 May, leading to more than 30 injuries, of which two were serious.

http://eagainst.com/articles/greece-exposing-police-brutality/