Islanders protest against overcrowding in migrant camps, slow processing

Residents of the islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos on Wednesday held public protests against what they said is the negative impact of the migration crisis on their communities and on North Aegean islands at large, which is home to the most congested reception and identification facilities - also known as hotspots.

At the Lesvos protest, locals chanted, "We want our islands back, we want our lives back," while North Aegean Regional Governor Kostas Moutzouris explained that what disturbed residents most is how "our islands have become detention hubs of people from more than 80 countries."

Moutzouris said a total of 50,000 migrants are waiting to be processed "This situation reflects a pact of silence among European states, including our government," he said.

The notorious Moria camp on the island and adjacent makeshift camps currently accommodate 21,441 people,...