The decision to end the hunger strike by Aristotelis Hantzis and Suzon Doppagne announced members of the Refugee community on Alexandras Avenue.
During the rally held on Wednesday afternoon in Syntagma, community representatives announced that, following discussions with both the two hunger strikers and members of the collective, it was decided to suspend this form of mobilization and to continue pursuing our demands through other means.
“Under these circumstances, and after discussing the matter with our comrades Aristo and Suzan as well as within our community, we officially declare the end of the hunger strike and the continuation of the struggle through other means,” they stated, among other things.
This was preceded by a resolution from the Municipality of Athens, which also called for the end of the hunger strike.
The resolution stated:
“The Municipality of Athens has been calling since April 20—through a resolution of the City Council—for the Regional Government and the national government to take the initiative to engage in dialogue with the refugee community. The goal is to find consensual solutions for the restoration of the buildings (while respecting their historical significance), the revitalization of the area, and ensuring housing for those currently residing in them.
Today, this need has become urgent, as the life of hunger striker Aristotelis Hantzis hangs in the balance. There must be no deaths from hunger strikes in this country by 2026. There is no need here for condemnations, nor for moves aimed at petty partisan exploitation.
We unequivocally condemn the attack on the home of the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias. We emphasize that the situation has spiraled out of the community’s control and is taking on the proportions of a widespread backlash. This must be avoided at all costs.
There is no place for displays of force, nor under any circumstances for violent intervention by the authorities, to which we will be opposed.
There are hundreds of vulnerable people living in Prosfigika today, and they must be treated with sensitivity and care by the state—not suddenly left out on the street. There is a practical way—and with a spirit of cooperation—to carry out the redevelopment through the controlled relocation of residents within the neighborhood.
The Municipality of Athens once again calls on the government, the Regional Authority, and the Prosfigika community to all take a step back and immediately engage in dialogue to find a mutually acceptable solution. There can be no room for intransigence at this critical juncture.
We call for the Regional Authority to suspend implementation of the programmatic agreement and for the Prosfigika community to suspend the hunger strike.
We call on the government and the Regional Authority to respond to our proposal and to immediately initiate a dialogue with the Prosfigika community, with the participation of the Municipality of Athens, which has specific responsibilities in this matter, so that this tension can be definitively resolved.
Consultation grounded in European and international law can ensure the broadest possible social consensus.
We call on political parties to contribute through their actions toward this goal.
