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Foreigner’s Murder Shows Greek Failure on Racist Violence - Amnesty International Press release

18 January 2013

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2013

CONTACT: Amnesty International http://www.amnesty.org

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7413 5566
After hours: +44 7778 472 126
Email: press@amnesty.org

Foreigner’s Murder Shows Greek Failure on Racist Violence

WASHINGTON - January 17 - The murder of a Pakistani youth in Athens is a result of the Greek authorities’ continuing failure to take decisive action against racially-motivated violence, Amnesty International said today.

Two people on a motorcycle stabbed the 27-year old Pakistani as he was riding his bicycle in Petralona, Athens on 16 January and he died later of his wounds. The police arrested two Greek nationals as suspects.

Marek Marczynski, Europe and Central Asia Deputy Programme Director at Amnesty International, said:
"This attack is not an isolated case. We have seen a dramatic escalation of racially motivated attacks over the past year".

"Amnesty international has received testimonies and information for four more cases of Egyptian nationals who have been attacked and injured over the past two months in the areas of Pireus, Keratsini and Moschato.

"The Greek authorities must investigate the racist motive and bring the perpetrators to justice.

"They must take urgent measures in order to put an end to the long line of the intimidating racist attacks in the country."

In December Amnesty International issued a report on the sorts of challenges and dangers faced by foreign nationals including the dramatic increase in the number of racist attacks by members of extreme right wing groups.

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Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. Our supporters are outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world - so we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity. We have more than 2.2 million members and subscribers in more than 150 countries and regions and we coordinate this support to act for justice on a wide range of issues.