Families of transit migrants currently detained in Turkey and Greece block roads in Akkar on Oct. 12, 2022. (Credit: Photo sent by Michel Hallak/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — The families of transit migrants currently detained in Turkey and Greece held a protest in Akkar and blocked roads on Wednesday to demand the repatriation of their relatives, according to L’Orient Today’s correspondent in the North.
The families blocked the roads leading from and to Akkar with passenger buses and waste containers, in protest of what they described as “the state’s procrastination and its failure to take care of their children’s file,” and ensure their return to Lebanon.
The families apologized “to all those who pass through these roads that we intend to block, but the situation of our children in Greece and Turkey has become difficult and can no longer be tolerated."
The mokhtar (mayor) of Bebnine Zaher al-Kassar pointed out that “The people’s anger is great and their concern is greater about the bitter and difficult reality that their relatives, including women and children, are facing.”
He called on the authorities to implement the promises they made 15 days ago in terms of expediting communication with the Greek and Turkish sides, to resolve this outstanding humanitarian crisis.
According to the families, Turkish authorities are allegedly demanding a release fee of $150 to $200 per person. Many family members said their relatives don't have enough money to finance their own release and instead called on the Lebanese government to settle the matter.
In September, over 100 people of Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian descent were found dead when a boat that had departed from North Lebanon sank off the coast of Tartus, Syria.
Additional reporting contributed by Michel Hallak