Maria Karystianou expressed profound grief over the loss of 15 migrants off Chios on February 3, 2026, calling it a deep human tragedy. In her statement on February 5, she emphasized that while laws must be upheld and national rights protected, human life remains non-negotiable and demands maximum respect and protection. She criticized the state for lacking necessary resources and failing to act decisively to prevent illegal border crossings and the erosion of human dignity. Karystianou stressed the moral obligation to exhaust all available means to safeguard life—and to demonstrate that such efforts were made. Investigations into the incident remain ongoing, with questions mounting about the circumstances surrounding the fatal maritime event in the northeastern Aegean.
Maria Karystianou on Chios Tragedy: Deep Grief and State Criticism
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