The murder of a Pakistani man in Athens is a result of the Greek authorities’ failure to take decisive action against racially-motivated violence, Amnesty International said today.

Two people on a motorcycle stabbed the 27-year-old as he was riding his bicycle in Petralona, Athens, on 16 January and he died later of his wounds. The police have arrested two Greek nationals in connection with the killing.

Marek Marczynski, Europe and Central Asia Deputy Programme Director at Amnesty International, said:
   
“This attack is not an isolated case. We have seen a dramatic escalation of racially- motivated attacks over the past year.

“Amnesty has received testimonies and information about four Egyptian nationals who have been attacked and injured over the past two months in the areas of Pireus, Keratsini and Moschato.    

“The Greek authorities must investigate racially-motivated violence and bring the perpetrators to justice. They must take urgent action to put an end to the long line of intimidating racist attacks in the country.”

In December Amnesty issued a report on the challenges and dangers faced by foreign nationals, including the dramatic increase in the number of racist attacks by members of extreme right wing groups.You can read the report here: Greece: The end of the road for refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants