Chios' municipal council has approved a motion to set up a new center to detain migrants slated for deportation. Refugees not eligible for asylum will be sent back to Turkey.
Municipal authorities on the Greek island of Chios have voted in favor of creating a pre-departure detention facility on the eastern Aegean island, aimed at accelerating the return of failed asylum seekers to Turkey.
"The municipality gives the 'green light' to the Ministry of Citizen Protection for the creation of a pre-departure detention center, in an area that the Greek Police will define, build and guard," said a Chios municipal council statement. Additionally, the council stressed that that after this new site opens, "the Souda facility will be closed gradually, with its population being transferred to the new facility and the existing Vial camp."
A total of 1,496 migrants are currently on Chios out of 13,758 on the eastern Aegean islands, according to government figures released last Friday.The creation of the camp has been a hot topic for the local and national governments as well as the general public of Chios in recent months. Local businesses and residents have protested the construction of the camp as more refugees arrive every week from Turkey, despite a deal with the EU last year.
According to the latest decision, as soon as the new structure is ready, the controversial Souda migrant camp, built close to the city's castle walls will be closed. There will be no permanent residences or facilities created on the island for migrants.
Breaking point
The vote to create the new pre-departure centre, which is expected to be constructed in the next two months, comes as tensions at the overcrowded Souda and Vial camps continue to simmer, with clashes occurring almost on a daily basis between stranded migrants of different ethnicities bringing the situation to breaking point.
Police detained 12 people earlier this month while six migrants were reported to have sustained minor injuries in violent clashes at the VI.AL and Souda facilities involving mainly Afghan, Syrian and Algerian men.
Warmer temperatures and calmer waters have prompted an increase in the number of migrants attempting to enter Greece from Turkey via boat and the Greek authorities are concerned that the flow of people trying to enter Greece will increase even more in the summer period.