UN RIGHTS MECHANISM REVIEWS ATHENS CASE WHILE THE GREEK STATE ANNOUNCES CONTINUATION OF EVICTION PLANS
Local and International mobilisations increasing ahead of Brussels actions
ATHENS, Greece — June 14, 2026
Aristotelis Chantzis has entered the 130th day of a hunger strike in defence of the Community of Squatted Prosfygika in central Athens, as concerns continue to grow over plans to evict resdients and redevelop the historic neighbourhood.
The second hunger striker, Suzon Doppagne, who joined the protest in solidarity on May 1, is approaching 50 days of her hunger strike. More members of the community -some of them with serious health problems -have also announced plans to join the hunger strike.
The protest comes in response to a redevelopment plan approved by the Regional Government of Attica in June 2025 that would lead to the eviction of the approximately 400 residents of the Prosfygika neighborhood. Residents include families with children, refugees, elderly people, oncology patients and their relatives, and people participating in rehabilitation programs. Supporters of the Community say no concrete rehousing guarantees have been presented.
The case has increasingly drawn international attention from human rights organisations, legal experts, academics, and housing advocates. Last week, a delegation of the community went to Brussels, where they had meetings with over 20 members from the European Parliament (MEP). In a press conference on June 4, the lawyer and member of the Committee for the Promotion and Defense of the Community and its collective Memory, Nikos Kolokotronis described that all MEPs committed to supporting the community and their struggle for justice. This includes the submission of questions to the European Parliament, a joint announcement of their support for the Community and the priorization of this struggle, due to the urgency of the Hunger Strike. They will emphasize that the EU-funded contract to evict the community relies on severe irregularities, such as a violation of the partnership principles.
On April 27 2026, Amnesty International called for the suspension of forced eviction plans and raised concerns regarding possible violations of fundamental and constitutionally protected human rights. Amnesty urged authorities to review the demands raised by the hunger strikers and residents in line with international human rights standards.
Additionally an official complaint has also been submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, who has reportedly taken up the case following concerns regarding potential human rights implications connected to the planned eviction process.
The Community of Squatted Prosfygika calls for participation in a demontration in Syntagma Square, Athens on June 14, 12pm and for national and international actions in solidarity with the struggle. In their statetement the community declares:
“We declare once again that this fight will continue to the end. From the first moment, we knew it was a struggle for life or death, dignity or submission, resistance or destruction. (…) The collective decision of the Community of Squatted Prosfygika and our two comrades who have decided to go beyond their limits, to fight until the end, with an understanding of the cost and unwavering faith in our victory.”
Internationalists Save Prosfygika
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