On Sunday, 24 October 2021, an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Environmental Quality Observatory of Syros (EQOS) was convened in the outdoor space of the Kornilakis Building. The primary agenda concerned three lawsuits totalling over €3,000,000 brought against the association and its members personally by ONEX companies, with hearings scheduled for 10 December 2021.
Following the jointly agreed postponement of the first two lawsuits on 24 September—during which we witnessed a spectacle of division, becoming targets of lies and slanderous accusations in the form of a resolution submitted to the prosecutors by the shipyard’s company-backed union—we consider it our duty to our fellow citizens to restore the truth.
The mass assembly unanimously approved the Board’s proposal, through which we address the entire community of Syros—those who care deeply about their health and environment but are confronted with a false and divisive ultimatum: “Open shipyard and “SHUT UP” or closed shipyard and a clean environment!”—without ever explaining why compliance with environmental regulations could supposedly lead to closure.
The Environmental Quality Observatory of Syros will continue its struggle to protect the environment and public health in our land. Our over 300 members—residents, professionals, workers on the island, locals and “foreigners” alike who have chosen this place as their home—will persist in demanding compliance with environmental laws and industrial operating conditions, as well as lawful oversight of the company’s activities by the authorities. This is our sole purpose, and anything else belongs to the realm of imagination of those attempting to intimidate and mislead the society of Syros.
By now, they should have realised that their attempts to silence us have failed—instead, they have only amplified our voice. For this reason, even at this eleventh hour, we call on them to withdraw their defamatory lawsuits against us and to demonstrate their genuine concern for the environment and the health of residents and workers by fully complying with environmental laws and operating conditions.
If they fail to do so, on 10 December, we will be there to officially deliver our response.
Attached is the text approved by the General Assembly of EQOS, addressing the people of Syros and all concerned parties.
