This work looks at the undocumented migrants, refugees and asylum seekers who now find themselves as pawns in the machinations of politics in Greece.

The Greek government are conducting severe crackdowns on undocumented migrants in an attempt to steer support away from extreme right wing parties.

The migrants are people fleeing famine, war, civil strife and social disorder. In Greece they now have to contend with open racism and xenophobia, violent assault, poverty, homelessness, threat of arrest and police brutality. They often find themselves simply wanting to return home. Time and time again I was told by Somali migrants that they prefer the war zone of Mogadishu to the situation in Athens.

Before the police began arresting undocumented migrants in March many appeared relieved when I told them that the police will soon start rounding them up and placing them in detention centres. They were happy because as least certainty might finally enter their lives. The brutal manner in which the police began the mass arrests in March did not inspire much hope for this to bear out.