Fleeing War, Facing Prison
Imagine fleeing a war zone, risking your life across deserts and the Mediterranean, only to end up behind bars for trying to survive. Over 200 Sudanese teenagers and young men are imprisoned in Greece—from Crete to Volos, Avlona, and Malandrino. Their crime? Steering a boat, holding a GPS, or helping others cross the sea—acts of survival now treated as serious offenses. Most were minors or barely adults at the time of arrest.
Sudan’s Devastation
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, displacing over 10 million people. Cities like Khartoum, Omdurman, and El Geneina lie in ruins. Young men face forced recruitment, violence, and economic collapse. For many, fleeing was not a choice—it was the only way to survive.
Criminalized Survival
Greek anti-smuggling laws allow sentences of up to 25 years per person transported. A 17-year-old touching the wheel of a dinghy can face decades in prison. Trials are often brief, with minimal translation, little defense, and an automatic presumption of guilt. Over 2,300 migrants, many Sudanese minors, face such charges.
“Holding a GPS or distributing water becomes a crime. The state scapegoats refugees while hiding its own failures.”
Julia, Decriminalize
Life Behind Bars
Inside prison, isolation, fear, and uncertainty dominate. Mustafa, a Sudanese activist in Greece, explains: “Parents send money or letters, but communication is patchy. Many young men are alone; families feel powerless.”
The #FreeTheBoys Campaign
Lawyers, activists, and diasporic communities across Europe have mobilized to demand release and legal reform. Some trials in Crete led to acquittals, but many youths still face long sentences. Legal advocates argue these prosecutions violate the Geneva Convention, which protects refugees from punishment for irregular entry when fleeing persecution.
“These youths fled war only to be punished for survival. The #FreeTheBoys campaign is resistance.”
A Call for Dignity
The stories of Bada, Mousab, Suleman, and Chol are more than individual tragedies—they highlight a moral crisis in Europe. These youths demand recognition of their humanity. The campaign urges Europe to choose dignity over fear, and justice over punishment.
Ibrahim Izzeldeen
More information:
https://migration-control.info/en/blog/from-hell-to-hell/
https://decriminalize.eu/
