Racialized Violence against Migrants in Greece

Abstract

Since the late 2000s, Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn), an extreme-right party, has been implicated in acts of violence against migrants in Greece that were extensively documented and reported by Greek and international media and NGOs. While the violence was initially linked to resident mobilizations in disadvantaged areas of Athens, such as Aghios Pantelaiimonas and Omonoia—those with high concentrations of migrants often living in destitution— patterns of anti-immigrant violence intensified in the run-up to the twin 2012 national elections. This coincided with the increasing political support gained by Golden Dawn (Human Rights Watch [HRW] 2012; Ombudsman 2013). Incidents of violence involved serious or light bodily harm, often accompanied by verbal aggression and threats of violence, while attacks on property and religious institutions were also common (Amnesty International [AI] 2012; HRW 2012; Network for Recording Racist Violence [NRRV] 2013; Ombudsman 2013). Most of the victims were migrants of diverse legal statuses and of Asian, Middle Eastern, or African origin, suggesting the targeting of the predominantly Muslim, non-white migrants of the post-2000 migration flows from Asia and the Middle East (NRRV 2013; HRW 2012; Maroukis 2010). The victims perceived the attacks as racist since they were accompanied by references to their ethnicity, religion, and migrant status. The victims identified the perpetrators as groups or individuals affiliated with Golden Dawn—a perception also confirmed by media and other sources (NRRV 2013).