Iasonas Apostolopoulos: “We would eliminate smugglers in a day if we created safe passages for refugees”
Iasonas Apostolopoulos, a renowned refugee rescuer and human rights activist, discussed policies that would effectively dismantle human trafficking networks in a recent appearance on Voice of Greece on the show Take Your Time. He stated, “We would put an end to smuggling networks if we established safe routes for refugees and migrants, 76% of whom are accepted as asylum seekers in Europe.” Apostolopoulos, who has been involved in solidarity actions since a young age in neighborhood collectives in Agia Paraskevi, also spoke about his involvement in rescue missions in Lesvos since 2015 and his current role as rescue coordinator aboard the ship Mare Ionio.
He explained that he and his team are already on their way to Italy for more rescue operations, continuing their efforts to save as many lives as possible of those risking everything to find a new homeland far from war zones and human rights violations. Apostolopoulos also commented on the new situation developing with the war in Gaza and Lebanon, criticizing European governments for viewing the war’s tragedy solely through the lens of the refugee issue and adopting pushback tactics rather than a humanitarian approach.