The new bill for the naturalisation of both the first and second generation of migrants who live in Greece has been made available for public consultation at the Greek government’s e-governance site http://www.opengov.gr/ypes . The bill is a notable improvement from the current legislation and aligns Greek legislation with the rules prevailing in the majority of other EU countries. Moreover, although in my view some improvements could be made, this bill provides for a clear path to the full social and political integration of Greece’s over 1 million of legal migrant and co-ethnic returnee population. At this moment xenophobic and racist comments prevail on the government’s web site. It is important that Greek citizens and intellectuals raise their voice against ethnic prejudice and racism. This is not the time for political apathy:
“First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a communist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak out for me.” Martin Niemöller (1892–1984), German pastor and theologian born in Lippstadt, Germany, in 1892