Greek government under fire for neglecting migrants

(Vatican Radio) Twenty parliamentary deputies of Greece’s ruling left-wing Syriza party have called for a probe into what they call their own government’s indifference to the plight of migrants in Greek island holding camps.

John Carr reports from Athens: 

They say the state did little to improve conditions in the large camp on the island of Lesbos, which was covered by a thick layer of snow last week.  The people in the tent cities had to put up with sub-zero temperatures and a lack of medical care facilities.

The Greek Navy sent a supply ship to Lesbos to give shelter for some 500 migrants, but only a few dozen were willing to go on board.  They said the living facilities in the ship hold, as well as the toilets, were unacceptable, further fuelling criticism of the government here in Athens.

The Syriza deputies’ demand for an investigation is the first time the government’s  migrants policy has come under question from its own members of parliament.  And analysts here in Athens are wondering what the response will be.