Greece: UNHCR thanks authorities for allowing stowaway disembarkation

Briefing notes

Greece: UNHCR thanks authorities for allowing stowaway disembarkation

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

16 March 2007 Also available in:

UNHCR is very grateful to the Greek authorities for having allowed the disembarkation of 16 stowaways - most of whom are of Iraqi origin - in the port of Piraeus yesterday morning. The 16 are presently in a reception centre and will be given access to the asylum system. The 16 were found nearly a week ago on a cargo ship docked in the port of Piraeus.

The stowaways - who include five minors and two people with serious health conditions - apparently boarded the Antigua flagged 'RITA' cargo vessel in Turkey. It arrived in Piraeus on Wednesday 7 March. UNHCR and the Greek Refugee Council had access to the group last Friday and most of them expressed the wish to claim asylum.

UNHCR stands ready to help the Greek authorities in any appropriate way.