Humanitarian Work is not a Crime

Humanitarian workers are not a target!

Developments for humanitarian workers in Greece show a harsh reality, where individuals working in support of people on the move are being criminalized.

The recent case of Tommy Olsen, the founder of the Agean Boat Report, an NGO that monitors and shares data relating to the movement of people in the Aegean Sea, highlights this recent trend. The warrant follows an investigation opened by the Greek authorities in 2022 against Olsen and Dimitras, on charges including forming and joining a criminal organization, smuggling and facilitation of irregular entry and residence, with a lack of sincere evidence.

Tommy has been arrested in Norway at the request of Greek authorities. . “Tommy Olsen’s arrest is the result of Greek authorities misusing the European Arrest Warrant to expand their crackdown on migrant rights defenders to Norway” said Eva Cossé from Human Rights Watch.

It is our duty as humans to help others. We demand authorities to stop targeting humanitarian work aimed at supporting displaced people.