Hunger striker nears 130 days in defence of Athens Prosfygika community

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 residents and redevelop the historic neighbourhood.

The second hunger striker, Suzon Doppagne, who joined the protest in solidarity on 1 May, 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 neighbourhood. Residents include families with children, refugees, older people, oncology patients and their relatives, and people participating in rehabilitation programs.

The word “prosfygika” means “refugee settlement” and the community lives in a set of apartment blocks dating from the 1930s, when they provided housing for refugees from Asia Minor.

Supporters of the Community say they’ve seen no concrete rehousing guarantees. The case has increasingly drawn international attention from human rights organisations, legal experts, academics, and housing advocates.

Prosfygika delegation seeks international support

Recently, a delegation of the community went to Brussels, where they had meetings with over 20 members of the European Parliament. In a press conference on 4 June, Nikos Kolokotronis, a lawyer and member of the Committee for the Promotion and Defence of the Community and its Collective Memory, said that all MEPs committed to supporting the community and its struggle for justice.

This includes the submission of questions to the European Parliament, a joint announcement of their support for the Community and the prioritisation 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 27 April, 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 demonstration in Syntagma Square, Athens at 12pm on 14 June and for national and international actions in solidarity with the struggle. In its statement 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.

Featured image via Save Prosfygika