It’s almost impossible for them to find work or decent housing, so they while away their days in public spaces. Despite the continuing efforts of numerous NGOs, some young migrants - especially unaccompanied minors - find themselves caught up in illegal trades, including drugs, human trafficking and, most frequently, prostitution. Most of the young migrants you see in these public squares are Afghan and some are very young. Their young age - some of them are barely 15 - makes them especially vulnerable in already precarious conditions. With no source of income, most end up living in tent cities with no hot water or electricity. Migrants of all ages also face widespread discrimination.īecause they have no access to the labour market, many end up having to turn to illegal trades, such as prostitution, to survive. Sometimes, the actual act is carried out at the client’s house but, more often than not, the boys end up just going into the bushes with their client.Įvery night, several dozen young men congregate in Victoria park, Pedion tou Areos park and on the Omonia Square to sell themselves. 'The clients don’t care about these boys”Ali A.
works with a humanitarian orgranisation based in Athens. He sees Afghan refugees on a daily basis. When people are just trying to survive and to fulfil their most basic needs, they are capable of doing all kinds of things.
These young boys are in a desperate situation.
