PICS: Economic Migrants Sew Lips Shut, Demand To Be ‘Shot’ In Protest At European Border

sew lips shut
Getty
Raheem Kassam

Iranian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Congolese migrants who are being stopped from furthering their journeys into Europe have taken to sewing their mouths shut with thread and embarking upon hunger strikes to draw attention to their campaign for Europe to completely remove all border control processes.

AFP reported that men who say they are from Iran have been camping on the tracks of the railroad on the border between Greece and Macedonia.

Meanwhile, dozens of other migrant activists have been counterintuitively scrawling the name of their countries of origin on their heads, or wearing hats to show that they are in fact not from countries considered dangerous enough for them to qualify as refugees.

One sign in the crowd reads: “Shoot us or save us, we never go back. We want freedom. We are Bangladeshi. Save our life”

Others read: “Open the border, Pakistan” and “Freedom of movement” – aping the European Union’s language in the Lisbon Treaty.

Another few signs held up say: “Stop Racism” and “We Are Sorry France But We Are Not Dangers”.

The migrants in question are coming from countries such as India – a country with a space programme, Morocco, Bangladesh – a parliamentary democracy ranked as “partly free” by Freedom House, and Pakistan, which is a nuclear power.

IN PICTURES:

A man sews shut the mouth of a migrant or refugee who claimed to be from Iran as migrants and refugees wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 23, 2015. At least five migrants stuck on the Greek-Macedonian border on November 23 sewed their lips in protest at not being allowed to continue their journey to Europe, AFP reporters said. The men, who say they are from Iran and threaten to go on hunger strike, have been camping on the tracks of the railroad between the two countries since November 20. / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

A man sews shut the mouth of a migrant who claimed to be from Iran – AFP/ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/Getty

A man with his mouth sewn shut and who claimed to be from Iran stands on railway tracks as he waits with other migrants and refugees to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 23, 2015. At least five migrants stuck on the Greek-Macedonian border on November 23 sewed their lips in protest at not being allowed to continue their journey to Europe, AFP reporters said. The men, who say they are from Iran and threaten to go on hunger strike, have been camping on the tracks of the railroad between the two countries since November 20. / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

The man has a tattoo indicating his belief in a greater Kurdistan – AFP/ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/Getty

A man uses needle and thread to sew shut the mouth of a compatriot from Iran as a sign of protest as migrants and refugees wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 26, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

A man uses needle and thread to sew shut the mouth of a compatriot from Iran AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

A man uses needle and thread to sew shut the mouth of a compatriot from Iran as a sign of protest as migrants and refugees wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 26, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

A man uses needle and thread to sew shut the mouth of a compatriot from Iran as a sign of protest AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

A man uses needle and thread to sew shut the mouth of a compatriot from Iran as a sign of protest as migrants and refugees wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 26, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

A man uses needle and thread to sew shut the mouth of a compatriot from Iran as a sign of protest as migrants AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

A man claiming to be from Iran, with his mouth sewn shut, takes part in a demonstration with fellow migrants and refugees as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on November 24, 2015. At least five migrants stuck on the Greek-Macedonian border on Monday sewed their lips in protest at not being allowed to continue their journey to Europe. Syrian, Iraqi and Afghan refugees are allowed through but those deemed economic migrants – mainly people from Iran, Pakistan and Bangladesh – are blocked. AFP PHOTO /Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP / SAKIS MITROLIDIS (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images)

A man claiming to be from Iran, with his mouth sewn shut, takes part in a demonstration with fellow migrants as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on November 24, 2015. Syrian, Iraqi and Afghan refugees are allowed through but those deemed economic migrants – mainly people from Iran, Pakistan and Bangladesh – are blocked – Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP / SAKIS MITROLIDIS 

Migrants demonstrate as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis. AFP PHOTO /Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP / SAKIS MITROLIDIS (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants demonstrate as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on November 25, 2015 – Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP / SAKIS MITROLIDIS

Migrants demonstrate as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis. AFP PHOTO /Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP / SAKIS MITROLIDIS (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants demonstrate as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on November 25, 2015. Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP / SAKIS MITROLIDIS

A man holds a placard reading ‘Winter is coming’ during a demonstration of migrants waiting to cross the Greek-Macedonian border demonstrate near Gevgelija, on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis. / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

A man holds a placard reading ‘Winter is coming’ during a demonstration of migrants waiting to cross the Greek-Macedonian border demonstrate near Gevgelija, on November 25, 2015. AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

Migrants and refugees protest in front of Macedonian police as they wait to cross the Greece-Macedonia border, near Gevgelija, on November 26, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani.AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants protest in front of Macedonian police AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

Migrants and refugees protest as they wait to cross the Greece-Macedonia border, near Gevgelija, on November 26, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani.AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Pakistani migrants demand open borders AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

Migrants and refugees hold a placard (C) reading ‘We are sorry France’ refering to the Paris attacks as they wait to cross the border between Greece and Macedonia near the Greek village of Idomeni on November 21, 2015. Serbia and Macedonia, which lie on the main migrant route to northern Europe, have begun restricting the entry of refugees to just those from certain countries, the UN refugee agency said on November 19. AFP PHOTO /SAKIS MITROLIDIS (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants and refugees hold a placard (C) reading ‘We are sorry France’ referring to the Paris attacks as they wait to cross the border between Greece and Macedonia near the Greek village of Idomeni AFP PHOTO / SAKIS MITROLIDIS / Getty

A migrant holds a placard (C) reading ‘Freedom of movment’ as she waits to cross the border between Greece and Macedonia near the Greek village of Idomeni on November 21, 2015. Serbia and Macedonia, which lie on the main migrant route to northern Europe, have begun restricting the entry of refugees to just those from certain countries, the UN refugee agency said on November 19. AFP PHOTO /SAKIS MITROLIDIS (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images)

A migrant holds a placard reading ‘Freedom of movement’ as she waits to cross the border between Greece and Macedonia near the Greek village of Idomeni on November 21, 2015 AFP PHOTO /SAKIS MITROLIDIS / Getty

Migrants and refugees from Pakistan demonstrate behind razor wire in front of Macedonian police as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 22, 2015. Serbia and Macedonia, which lie on the main migrant route to northern Europe, have begun restricting the entry of refugees to just those from certain countries, the UN refugee agency said on November 19. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

More Pakistanis demand entry to Europe AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

Migrants and refugees from Pakistan demonstrate behind razor wire in front of Macedonian police as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 22, 2015. Serbia and Macedonia, which lie on the main migrant route to northern Europe, have begun restricting the entry of refugees to just those from certain countries, the UN refugee agency said on November 19. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants protest on the border AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

Migrants and refugees from Bangladesh demonstrate in front of Macedonian policemen as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 23, 2015. Serbia and Macedonia, which lie on the main migrant route to northern Europe, have begun restricting the entry of refugees to just those from certain countries, the UN refugee agency said. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants from Bangladesh demonstrate in front of Macedonian policemen AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

A man stands in front of Macedonian policemen during a demonstration of migrants waiting to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija, on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis. / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

A man stands in front of Macedonian policemen during a demonstration  AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

A man stands in front of Macedonian policemen during a demonstration of migrants waiting to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija, on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis.AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images

AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

A man stands in front of Macedonian policemen during a demonstration of migrants waiting to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija, on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis.AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

A man holds a placard reading ‘where is human rights’ during a demonstration of migrants waiting to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija, on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis.AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

A man holds a placard reading ‘where is human rights’ during a demonstration AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

Migrants dance during a demonstration near Gevgelija, on November 25, 2015, as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants dance during a demonstration near Gevgelija, on November 25, 2015, as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

Migrants from Congo dance during a demonstration near Gevgelija, on November 25, 2015, as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants from Congo dance during a demonstration near Gevgelija AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

Migrants and refugees from Iran, some of them with their mouths sewn shut, sit on a railway track during a demonstraton as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani. AFP PHOTO / SAKIS MITROLIDIS / AFP / SAKIS MITROLIDIS (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants and refugees from Iran, some of them with their mouths sewn shut, sit on a railway track AFP PHOTO / SAKIS MITROLIDIS / Getty

Migrants and refugees from African countries demonstrate as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis. AFP PHOTO /Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP / SAKIS MITROLIDIS (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images)

The sign reads: “Shoot us or save us, we never go back. We want freedom. We are Bangladeshi. Save our life” – AFP PHOTO /Sakis Mitrolidis / Getty

Migrants and refugees from African countries demonstrate as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis. AFP PHOTO /Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP / SAKIS MITROLIDIS (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants and refugees from African countries demonstrate AFP PHOTO /Sakis Mitrolidis / Getty

Migrants and refugees from Pakistan demonstrate in the rain as they wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni on November 25, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis. AFP PHOTO / SAKIS MITROLIDIS / AFP / SAKIS MITROLIDIS (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants from Pakistan demonstrate in the rain  AFP PHOTO / SAKIS MITROLIDIS / Getty

A man uses needle and thread to sew shut the mouth of a compatriot from Iran, as another wipes his eyes, as a sign of protest as migrants and refugees wait to cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 26, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

A man uses needle and thread to sew shut the mouth of a compatriot from Iran AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / Getty

Migrants and refugees protest in front of Macedonian police officers while waiting to cross the Greece-Macedonia border, near Gevgelija, on November 26, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani.AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants protest AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI /Getty Images)

Migrants and refugees protest in front of Macedonian police officers while waiting to cross the Greece-Macedonia border, near Gevgelija, on November 26, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani.AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Migrants protest in front of Macedonian police officers while waiting to cross the Greece-Macedonia border, near Gevgelija, on November 26, 2015.  AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

An Iranian man participates in a protest by sewing his mouth shut as migrants and refugees wait to cross the Greece-Macedonia border, near Gevgelija, on November 26, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, mostly Indian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani.AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / AFP / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

An Iranian man participates in a protest by sewing his mouth shut  AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI / Getty

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.