On January 15, the final phase took place on Lesvos in the trial of 24 aid workers accused of human smuggling and membership of a criminal organisation. Since 2018, they had been waiting for this day in a case that, due to the complete lack of legal basis or evidence, should never have existed.

Their ‘crime’? Helping people in need. People who reached the shore exhausted, hypothermic and frightened after a dangerous crossing. People in need of water, a warm blanket, first aid and reassurance.

Journalist Noortje Smelting attended this final hearing, where the aid workers themselves took the floor.

Sarah Mardini spoke with visible anger. Having fled Syria herself, she and her sister saved many lives in 2015 by swimming alongside a sinking boat, guiding it to shore after crossing from Turkey. In 2016, she returned as an aid worker. In her testimony she said: “This country ruined my life. I am angry. They broke my heart. Only because they hate refugees. Refugees like me.”

Seán Binder, now a lawyer himself, shared that while awaiting the verdict he has been unable to work in his profession.

Pieter Wittenberg expressed his hope that the verdict — which he was convinced would be an acquittal — would make it possible again to provide assistance that is currently withheld out of fear, such as rescuing people in distress at sea. Pieter said he felt he had ‘a score to settle’. His father had fled war. “I never imagined that helping people in need could ever lead to me standing here before you today,” he told the judge.

At around 19:30, the long-awaited verdict followed: acquittal.
The only just outcome. The case was paper-thin and based on nothing. An end to years of uncertainty with major personal and professional consequences for the aid workers. And, hopefully, the beginning of more space for the humanitarian assistance that people on the move so desperately need.

The criminalisation of aid work has a direct impact on the care that we and other organisations are able to provide. The people who suffer most are those on the move: it is becoming increasingly difficult to offer them the care they so urgently need.

This court case, however, represents something bigger. The structural criminalisation of aid workers continues. In Greece, a new legislative proposal is being prepared that will make the work of NGOs and aid workers even more difficult.

But today, we mark this victory. With hope for more humanity, solidarity and justice.

Esther Vonk, the director of Boatrefugee Foundation, spoke together with Member of the European Parliament Tineke Strik, about the about the case and its impact on humanitarian aid in the radio show ‘De Rode Draad’ on NPO Radio 1: De Rode Draad | NPO Radio 1

Read more: Grieks proces over hulp aan vluchtelingen zet alle hulpverleners op scherp

Photo credits: AFP