It’s fair to say that recent coverage of the migrant crisis has been pretty shocking to say the least…
Most European nations have completely washed their hands with the situation, but Greek Islanders are still day in, day out rescuing people who have fled their homes in Syria and other war-torn nations. And it seems these people are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
Greek islanders who have been on the frontline of the refugee crisis and helped over 900,000 migrants are set to be nominated for the Nobel peace prize, with the support of their national government, The Guardian reports.
The islanders – which include fisherman who gave up their trade to rescue people from the sea – are in line to be honoured, with academics from the universities of Oxford, Princeton, Harvard, Cornell and Copenhagen drafting a submission in favour of awarding the prize to the people of Lesbos, Kos, Chíos, Samos, Rhodes and Leros.
Despite the official nomination letter yet to be finalised, it’s believed those academics will convince the Nobel committee members to accept their nomination.
It’s believed the nomination will say that they have dealt with the crisis with ’empathy and self-sacrifice’, considering their own economic crisis and have risked their lives to save others.
Only individuals or organisations are eligible to win the prize so it is likely that groups of volunteers who organised to help the refugees – or individuals within groups will be the official nominees.
They have provided accommodation, hygiene packs, food, dry clothes and help with the next steps for refugees.
Speaking to The Guardian, Greek activist Spyro Limneos said:
The people involved in the solidarity networks organised and helped the desperate when the governments weren’t even willing to recognise that the there was a crisis. By opening their hearts the islanders sent a powerful message that humanity is above races, above nations.
If only other E.U. nations thought like this…
