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JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP
After the destruction of the Greek refugee camp Moria by a major fire, thousands of demonstrators in major German cities demanded that migrants be accepted into the EU and Germany.
According to the police, around 3,000 people took part in Berlin, more than 1,200 in Hamburg and 300 in Frankfurt am Main.
They demanded the immediate evacuation of all camps on the Greek islands and the reception of the people.
Individual states would have to take the lead because a European solution was not in sight, explained the "Seebrücke" organization.
The International League for Human Rights also attended the rallies under the motto "We have space!"
called.
The demonstrators displayed posters with slogans such as "Evacuate Moria" and "Shame on you EU" ("Shame on you, EU").
An evacuation of the camp was necessary because of the unsustainable hygienic conditions there before the fire, said speakers at the demonstrations.
The Netherlands does not want to take in refugees
The Netherlands had previously announced that it would not accept any refugees from Moria.
"The Netherlands have always taken the position that we are not taking on people," said State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Ankie Broekers-Knol, the TV broadcaster RTL Nieuws.
The Hague had previously promised Greece humanitarian aid, "but taking over refugees, as Germany wants to do, the answer is no."
Instead of the planned 3000, more than 12,000 people were accommodated in Moria.
The camp was almost completely destroyed in fires on Wednesday night.
The Ministry of Migration in Athens had previously announced that 35 residents of the camp had tested positive for the corona virus.
As a result, there were protests among the residents.
The migrants who have become homeless will initially be housed on ships and in tents, as Greece's migration minister Notis Mitarakis announced.
SPD urges a quick solution
Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the fire had shown that the situation could not go on.
Greece needs the help of the other EU countries.
EU Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson initially promised quick help, she was in contact with the local authorities, she tweeted.
At the federal level, the SPD asked the coalition partner Union to clear the way for those affected to come to Germany.
"We urge the Chancellor to find a quick solution," said SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich.
The pressure on Interior Minister Horst Seehofer is also growing, especially from the state side.
Individual federal states have already announced that they want to take in refugees.
Thuringia had already decided months ago to accept around 500 refugees, but failed due to federal resistance.
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