Home

Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Committee by the GNCHR in view of the third periodic report of Greece on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Read the written submission of the GNCHR here

GNCHR Legal Advisor, Dr. Christos Tsevas participated in the Meeting of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions on the topic of “Strengthening the work of National Human Rights Institutions on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights”, which took place on 23 and 24 September 2024 in Brussels.

The discussion included issues related to the AI oversight, the role and good practices of NHRIs, developments in the regional regulatory framework with Regulation 2024/1689 laying down harmonized rules on artificial intelligence and the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, fundamental rights impact assessments, and the relationship between artificial intelligence and national defense.

GNCHR Written Contribution for the List of Themes prior to Greece’s review of its combined 23rd and 24rd periodic report by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in its 114th Session

The GNCHR participated on July 22, 2024 in the consultation organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and specifically the Freedom of Religion or Belief Programme on a new policy document addressing gender equality, violence against women and freedom of religion or belief, as part of the CHANGE project.

The consultation included the relationship between freedom of religion or belief and gender equality, the role of religious leaders in advocating for an end to violence against women, and issues of gender-based violence and the protection of women and girls. There were also other National Human Rights Institutions participated in the consultation and the fruitful dialogue.

The GNCHR was represented at the consultation by Dr. Katerina Charokopou and Dr. Christos Tsevas, Legal Officers of the GNCHR.

Participation of the GNCHR at the UNGCNG’s educational program
“Business and Human Rights Accelerator”

The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) has participated for two consecutive years (2023 & 2024) in the educational program "Business & Human Rights Accelerator," organized by the UN Global Compact Network Greece (UNGCNG), the Local Network of the UN Secretary-General's special initiative for corporate sustainability. The program engages companies of varying sizes (large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises) and of different sectors, with business executives attending the sessions covering a broad spectrum of responsibilities, such as Sustainable Development, Procurement/Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Compliance.

Maria Gavouneli, President of the GNCHR and professor in International Law at the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, serves as the lead speaker and facilitator of the program. The program equips participants with a thorough understanding of how business activities may impact on human rights, as well as provides them with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively align their strategies and operations with human rights standards. This alignment is guided by the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles, on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption, while also aiming on the advance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The close cooperation between the UNGCNG and the GNCHR reflects their shared commitment to promoting human rights in the framework of sustainable development.

Recording Mechanism of Incidents of Informal Forced Returns

Press Release

Publication of the Annual Report 2023

The Monitoring Mechanism highlights the recurring serious indications of informal forced returns through sea and land borders, as well as other violations of the human rights of refugees and migrants.

Athens, 18 June 2024

The press release in pdf format

The Recording Mechanism of Incidents of Informal Forced Returns, established by the Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR),[1] in order to enhance the objectivity and credibility of reports on incidents of informal forced returns[2] from Greek territory, presented its Annual Report for 2023 during a press conference held on Tuesday, June 18, at 11:00 a.m. at the Athens Journalists' Union (ESIEA). The conference presented both quantitative data and qualitative findings derived from testimonies regarding the incidents recorded by the Mechanism over the past year, as well as details of selected cases recorded by civil society organizations that are members of the Recording Mechanism.

Between January and December 2023, the Recording Mechanism collected testimonies on 45 incidents of informal forced returns that, according to the allegations of the alleged victims, occurred between January 2022 and December 2023. Based on the testimonies, the total number of alleged victims in these incidents is estimated to be at least 1,438 individuals. Among them are at least 158 women, 190 children, and 41 people with specific needs, such as individuals with medical conditions, disabilities, the elderly, and others.

The data from the 2023 Annual Report reinforce the findings of the Recording Mechanism's previous 2022 Annual Report, concerning the systematic nature and modus operandi of informal forced return operations, which appear to share common characteristics.

The alleged victims continue to originate from countries where a significant percentage of individuals are recognized as eligible for international protection, according to national and European sources during the reporting period. Among the alleged victims are two (2) individuals who had been recognized as refugees in Greece and one (1) individual who had been registered by the Greek authorities as an asylum seeker.

In their testimonies, the alleged victims continue to describe acts linked to extremely serious violations of the principle of non-refoulement and the right to asylum, as defined in the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees, as well as violations of the prohibition of inhumane or degrading treatment, the right to personal freedom, the right to life, the right to asylum, and the prohibition of collective expulsions, as set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (CFR). These actions are also considered criminal offenses under Greek law. The aforementioned acts frequently target individuals who are visibly vulnerable, such as people with serious illnesses, disabilities, pregnant women, the elderly, and children.

The alleged victims reported experiencing physical violence, verbal abuse, threats to their lives and physical integrity, often involving the use of weapons, sexual harassment, degrading treatment, the confiscation of personal belongings and identification documents, informal detention in degrading conditions, family separations, and in some cases, the loss of human lives.

According to the testimonies recorded by the Recording Mechanism, both uniformed personnel and individuals in civilian clothes were involved as perpetrators. In some testimonies, it was reported that third-country nationals, speaking the languages of the alleged victims, participated in the removal from Greek territory, acting in collaboration with or under the orders of uniformed personnel.

The 2023 Annual Report contains detailed information on the characteristics of the alleged victims (countries of origin, ages, gender, vulnerabilities, legal status in Greece, etc.), the identity of the alleged perpetrators (uniformed and non-uniformed personnel, members of security forces, insignia, equipment, etc.), their methods, and the means of operation. It also includes detailed qualitative findings on the modus operandi of informal forced return incidents. An annex to the report includes anonymized excerpts from the testimonies of the alleged victims.

The report also provides detailed recommendations to the Greek authorities, including, among others, that they should investigate allegations of informal forced returns and other serious human rights violations at the borders independently and effectively, ensure that those responsible for any illegal actions are brought to justice, ensure that all state authorities strictly adhere to the principle of non-refoulement, and guarantee that all asylum seekers have access to asylum procedures and protection from pushbacks and all forms of informal forced returns.

You can access the newly published English version of the 2023 Annual Report of the Recording Mechanism here.

The Recording Mechanism involves civil society organizations that are active in the field, offering legal, medical, psychosocial, or other services to third-country nationals, all of which have legal status and representation in Greece. The UNHCR Representation in Greece provides the Recording Mechanism with technical support and expertise on refugee protection as a collaborating partner.

The reports recorded by the Recording Mechanism come from individuals who are not connected to one another, except in cases involving families or members of the same group. These individuals come into contact with civil society organizations to receive services and consent to having their testimony recorded by the Recording Mechanism.

The Recording Mechanism does not engage in any legal proceedings that may have been initiated either by the alleged victims and their legal representatives or by law enforcement authorities. Through identifying alleged victims and ensuring the security of their testimonies, the Recording Mechanism encourages the victims to seek recourse with the relevant authorities and the justice system.

[1] The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR), as the National Human Rights Institution in Greece and the independent advisory body to the Greek State on issues of promotion and protection of human rights, in accordance with the United Nations Paris Principles and Law 4780/2021, has the institutional mission, among other things, of continuously monitoring issues related to human rights, informing the public, and promoting relevant research

[2] The term 'informal forced returns' includes both the alleged pushbacks of asylum seekers and refugees, as well as any other form of forced removal of third-country nationals from Greek territory, reportedly conducted in an irregular and summary manner, meaning without following the legal procedures required for such removals. According to the law, any process of forced return of third-country nationals must be based on an individual decision, be subject to judicial review with legal remedies, and be carried out with respect for fundamental human rights

The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) received a request for the first time by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), to submit a written intervention as regards the case of G.R.J. v. Greece (15067/21) and A.E. v. Greece (15783/21). The case was heard by a Chamber of seven judges, operating within Section III of the Court, on Tuesday 4 June 2024.

The case is related to two applications against the Greek Authorities, lodged with the ECHR by persons requesting international protection, on reported incidents of informal forced returns for the period 2019 - 2020.

The GNCHR established the Recording Mechanism by decision of its Plenary in September 2021, to ensure that the National Human Rights Institution in Greece fulfils the requirements arising from its role, considering the absence of a formal and effective system for recording such reported incidents of informal forced returns.             

• Click here to read the written intervention by the GNCHR in the ECHR
• Click here for more information on the Recording Mechanism
• The video of yesterday's hearing is available on the ECHR website

Read here the Summary of the GNCHR Report on the Status of Women in Greece. 

The present Summary Report is the concise version of the Report entitled "The Status of women in Greece". The full Greek Report was adopted by the GNCHR Plenary on January 18, 2024.

Athens, 23 April 2024

A wide geographical dispersion of racist violence incidents, attacks displaying signs of orchestration, unfolding amidst a concerning backdrop of escalating hate speech in the public sphere, intense and continuous racist violence at the country's borders, notably targeting refugees and migrants, systematic racist behaviour by representatives of the State, as well as targeting of victims in the context of intra-school and intra-family racist violence are some of the key qualitative findings of the Racist Violence Recording Network for 2023.

Presented during a Press Conference in Athens on Tuesday, 23 April 2024, the Network’s twelfth Annual Report, covering the period from January to December 2023, recorded, through interviews with victims, 158 incidents of racist violence. Of these, 89 targeted migrants, refugees or asylum-seekers, while 61 targeted LGBTQI+ individuals.

In almost half of the incidents, victims reported having experienced violence before, while in 15 incidents victims reported being doubly targeted because of more than one of their characteristics. It is noteworthy that in almost one in three incidents (50), minors were among the victims while in some cases, minors were also among the perpetrators.

The event was opened by the two coordinators of the Network, the President of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), Professor Maria Gavouneli, and the Representative of the UNHCR in Greece, Ms. Maria Clara Martin.

The President of the NCHR stressed the "need for coordination among competent state authorities for a comprehensive and effective policy to prevent and address the phenomenon of racist violence across all its manifestations”. She particularly underlined “the need to create an effective national mechanism to support and protect victims of racist violence, activate the National Council against Racism and Intolerance and prepare a new Action Plan against Racism." On her part, Ms. Martin praised the important work done by the 55 member organizations of the Network in monitoring and spotlighting the trends of racist violence and in understanding the trauma inflicted on victims. "Fighting racism requires a systematic, progressive, and coordinated approach, and above all it requires commitment from all parts of society and the State," she pointed out.  

The discussion that followed, moderated by journalist Yannis Papadopoulos, featured representatives from Network member organizations -- Chrysanthi Zacharoff from the Greek Council for Refugees, Konstantinos Marangos from the Thessaloniki Pride organization, Anastasia Mitropanou from ELLAN PASSE and Anastasia Karkoulia from the Network for Children's Rights. Low-intensity racist violence and its normalization within daily life, refugees, migrants, LGBTQI+, Roma, and other targeted groups, were among the main issues addressed. The speakers emphasized the link between pervasive hate speech in public discourse and racist violence. They also highlighted entrenched fear, persistent trauma, and lack of trust in authorities as main deterrents hindering the vast majority of victims from lodging formal complaints.

The Network's Annual Report for 2023 can be found in Greek here.

Video of the presentation (in Greek):

The President of the Greek National Commission for Human Rights Professor Maria Gavouneli:

 The Representative of UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Greece, Ms Maria - Clara Martin:

The Assistant Coordinator of the Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN) Ms Garyfallia Anastasopoulou:

 Journalist Mr Giannis Papadopoulos, Moderator of the event:

Ms Chrysanthi Zacharof from the Greek Council for Refugees:

Ms Anastasia Karkoulia from the Network for Children's Rights:

Ms Anastasia Mitropanou from  the Panhellenic Confederation of Greek Roma "ELLAN PASSE":

Mr Konstantinos Marangos from the organisation Thessaloniki Pride:

Mr Kostis Papaioannou, President of the Board of Technopolis (Municipality of Athens):

On 14 March 2024 the term of Eva Tzavala, GNCHR’s Head of Scientific Unit as Chair of ENNHRI’s Asylum and Migration Working Group, comprising of more than 35 European National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), has ended. It has been a productive and successful three-year term on enhancing NHRIs’ capacity to address migration challenges, asserting NHRIs’ and ENNHRI’s role on migration matters at regional level and strengthening protection of human rights of migrants across Europe.

In the past 3 years, significant developments such as the negotiation and adoption of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive for people fleeing Ukraine after Russia’s invasion and multiple crises at borders (such as the instrumentalisation of migrants) have occurred.

In this context, ENNHRI’s Asylum and Migration Working Group through regular meetings, capacity-building events and specific projects provided a safe space for NHRI staff to exchange views and information, share concerns and good practices, reflect on everyday challenges and ways to improve their capacity, efficiency and response to human rights challenges.

At the same time, the Working Group assisted the Network in formulating its expert opinion or position in response to regional developments affecting the rights of people fleeing war and persecution. Furthermore, the role of NHRIs at national and regional level as actors in migration matters was strengthened. Bilateral cooperation between European NHRIs and/or with external stakeholders (OHCHR, OSCE, Council of Europe, FRA, Frontex, international NGOs a.o.) was promoted and facilitated.

Here are some key deliverables of the Working Group during the GNCHR’s chairmanship (2021-2024):

• Opinion on independent human rights monitoring mechanisms at borders under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum
• Paper on human rights scrutiny of public funds for migration and asylum
• Report on the human rights of migrants at borders
• Paper on ten points to guide the establishment of an independent and effective national border monitoring mechanism in Greece
• Statement on urgent and critical human rights concerns at the Eastern borders of the European Union
• Paper on the role of NHRIs in upholding the human rights of migrants and asylum seekers in the light of recent EU developments
• Report on gaps in human rights accountability at border
• Report on strengthening human rights accountability at Borders
• Statement on the need for long-term solutions based on respect for human rights and regional solidarity to support those fleeing Ukraine
• Paper on technologies, migration, and human rights: the role of European NHRIs [forthcoming]

On the World Day against Racism (International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination), on Thursday, 21st of March, the Greek Forum of Migrants, for the 10th year, is calling all groups that are currently being discriminated and affected by racism to raise their voices and to declare their determination to fight all kind of racism and humiliation of human dignity.

We unite our voices, the co-signed 103 Civil Society’s Organizations, communities, bodies, NGOs and representatives from wider groups affected by discrimination and racism (PWD, LGBTQI, Roma, migrants, refugees, HIV positive, elderly, drug addicts, people with mental illness, prisoners, religious minorities, etc.). Together -united, we will gather at Syntagma sq. in Athens where we will pass the Award of Antiracism - Tzanetos Antypas trophy* to an organization or a person for their contribution in anti-racism and human rights, and march for the WAD2024.

● Meeting point, on Thursday 21st of March 2024, at 15:30, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma sq., where the ceremony award will take place.

● We march together towards the European Parliament Liaison Office in Greece (L. Amalias 8), where we deliver an Open Letter co-signed by Civil Society’s organizations with our demands regarding human rights in Greece.

* The trophy was established in 2017 in the memory of the activist and founder of PRAKSIS organization, Tzanetos Antypas, where each year an organization or a person working on issues of anti-racism and human rights is awarded. This year, the Organizing Committee of the WAD2024 decided to give the trophy to the Recording Mechanism of Informal Forced Returns of the Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) for its human’s rights action.

The Organizing Committee of the WAD2024 is consisted by:

● Greek Forum of Migrants (GFM)

● PRAKSIS

● Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR)

● Transgender Association in Greece (SYD)

● Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN)

● Golden Dawn Watch

For more information read the press release (in greek and in english) here

Athens 15.03.2024 – The Racist Violence Recording Network strongly condemns the violent incident against two LGBTQI+ individuals in Thessaloniki by a large group on Saturday 9 March 2024 and expresses its deep concern about the escalating homophobic and transphobic rhetoric targeting LGBTQI+ people and the impact it might have on their safety and well-being. According to the victims’ testimonies, teenagers and young adults were among the group of alleged perpetrators. Several people were arrested and subsequently charged.

The recent incident during which two individuals appear to have been targeted, with verbal and physical violence, because of their gender expression/identity/characteristics illustrates a pattern that the Network has documented over time: victims moving in public space are subjected to unprovoked violence because of their specific identity characteristics. To recall that the trauma resulting from this type of violence is deeper precisely because the victims are targeted for characteristics that are essential to a person’s identity and that no person should be ever asked to hide or change. Justice is a key element in restoring the trauma of citizens targeted by unprovoked violence motivated by prejudice, as well as for their trust in the rule of law. Administration of justice is the most effective way to send a clear message against impunity to both the alleged perpetrators and society.

The Network welcomes that the authorities are investigating if there is a racist motive behind the incident under article 82A of the Criminal Code and urges that a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation is conducted.  At the same time, however, the absence of an effective national mechanism for the support and protection of victims of racist crimes, despite the relevant provisions of the legal framework (Law 4478/2017) requiring such an entity be established, remains a concern and something that exposes the victims to the risk of experiencing the trauma of the secondary victimization and/or re-victimization. Moreover, this incident highlights the pressing need for the State to respond effectively with a set of prevention and response policies to the increasing phenomena of violence by underage perpetrators.

It should be noted that this incident takes place at a time of intense hate speech against LGBTQI+ people in the context of the debate and recent adoption of the law legalizing same-sex marriage. This is expressed in the public discourse both by senior politicians and members of the Parliament, as well as by media and representatives of the Church in the country. The intensification of this rhetoric, as the Network has pointed out in the past, normalizes, encourages and ultimately escalates racist reactions, sometimes even resulting in (mass) attacks on the street against members of the targeted communities.

The Network, recalling its recommendations for effective prevention against the dissemination of intolerant ideas, especially among children and young people, and with a focus on the role of the education system, calls on the competent authorities to coordinate and adopt comprehensive and effective policies to address and prevent such phenomena that lead to the dehumanisation and targeting of individuals on the basis of  sexual orientation, gender identity, gender characteristics/expression. No crime, motivated solely or cumulatively by prejudice, should go unpunished; no victim should be left without protection and support, without a voice.

Read the press release at the website of the Racist Violence Recording Network here

The press release as a pdf file here

The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) welcomes the passing, with a large majority, by the Plenary of the Parliament, of the draft law on equality in civil marriage, as an important step for the respect of fundamental rights in Greece, the dignity and equality of citizens before the law. GNCHR will monitor the implementation of the law and consistently continue its efforts to ensure the equal treatment of all LGBTI+ persons and the effective prevention and combating of all gender based discrimination.

GNCHR’s Input on the Draft Law “Equality in civil marriage, amendment of the Civil Code and other provisions”

Responsibly responding to the mission assigned to it by the legislator as the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) and as the independent advisory body of the State, the Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) monitors the issues that they are relevant to the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTI+ persons, pointing out that it continues to work to prevent and combat all gender discrimination and secure their fundamental rights based on the supralegislative rules that enforce the elimination of stereotypes and social prejudices. In this context, the GNCHR submitted, in June 2021, its proposals and observations to the Committee established by the Prime Minister for the drafting of the National Strategy for the equality of LGBTI+, with the aim of the Greek government's substantial compliance with its obligations deriving from the international and European commitments it has undertaken.

In view of the submission to be voted on by the Minister of State's Parliament entitled: "Equality in civil marriage, amendment of the Civil Code and other provisions", the GNCHR makes the following observations-recommendations, promoting the adoption of a human-centered and consistent as possible as to the οφειλόμενη protection of human rights approach.

Read GNCHR’s Input here.

Recording Mechanism of Incidents of Informal Forced Returns

PRESS RELEASE

Publication of the Annual Report 2022

The Greek State must ensure strict compliance with the principle of non-refoulement and access of the alleged victims to Justice.

Athens, 24 January 2023

On December 13^th 2023, the Recording Mechanism of Incidents of Informal Forced Returns published its Annual Report 2022, presenting detailed quantitative and qualitative data on incidents of informal forced returns recorded during 2022. The term "informal forced returns" encompasses alleged pushbacks of asylum seekers and refugees, as well as any other form of forced removal of third-country nationals from Greek territory conducted irregularly and summarily, without following legal procedures for the removal of third-country nationals.

Between February 2022 and December 2022, the Recording Mechanism recorded testimonies through personal interviews with the alleged victims, about 50 incidents of informal forced returns, which according to the alleged victims occurred in the period between April 2020 and October 2022. According to the testimonies, the total number of the alleged victims involved in these incidents, amounts to a minimum of 2.157 persons, including 214 women and 205 children, as well as persons with special needs, like persons facing medical problems, persons with disabilities, elderly people etc.

The countries of origin of the majority of the alleged victims are listed among the countries whose nationals are granted international protection status at a significant rate, as derived from national and EU data sources for the reporting period. Among the alleged victims, there are five (5) persons who were recognised refugees in Greece, and five (5) asylum seekers who were registered asylum applicants at the competent Greek Authorities and their applications were pending.

In their testimonies, the alleged victims have described acts which are connected to extremely serious infringements of the principle of non-refoulement and the right of persons to seek asylum, as set out in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, as well as non-compliance with the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment and the right of freedom, as set out in the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) which constitute criminal offences under Greek Law. The alleged victims have reported that they had been subjected to physical violence, verbal abuse and threats to their lives and physical integrity often at gunpoint, sexual harassment, degrading treatment, deprivation of personal belongings and identity documents, informal detention in places under humiliating conditions, separation of family members, and, in some cases, even losses of human lives.

In the testimonies recorded by the Recording Mechanism, it is reported that the operations of informal forced returns were conducted by perpetrators in uniform as well as individuals wearing civilian clothing. Moreover, some testimonies reported that during the physical removal from the Greek territory, third-country nationals were involved speaking languages of the alleged victims.

The Annual Report 2022 presents analytical data relating to the profile of the alleged victims (countries of origin, ages, gender, vulnerabilities, legal status in Greece etc.) the identity of the alleged perpetrators (persons in and out of uniform, members of security forces and services, distinctive insignias, equipment used etc.) how they operate, and the means they use to implement an operation of informal forced return. Analytical quantitative findings on the modus operandi are also be included in the Annual Report 2022. Anonymised excerpts by original testimonies are being set out in the annexes of the Report.

Additionally, the Report includes detailed recommendations to the Greek Authorities, as, among others, to investigate in an independent and efficient manner all complaints lodged by the alleged victims involved in incidents of informal forced returns and other instances of serious human rights violations at the borders, ensure that perpetrators of such illegal actions are being brought before the Judicial Authorities, provide safeguards that all State bodies respect strictly the principle of non-refoulement, provide safeguards that all asylum seekers in the Greek territory have access to asylum procedures and are protected against pushbacks and every form of informal forced returns.

A summary of these data was presented by the Recording Mechanism in the presentation of the Interim Report  on 24 January 2023.

You can access the Annual Report 2022 of the Recording Mechanism by clicking here.

The Recording Mechanism will publish its next Annual Report for 2023 within the first four months of 2024.

The Recording Mechanism, established by the Greek National Commission for Human Rights, aims to provide an objective tool for recording testimonies of incidents of informal forced returns from Greek territory. Civil society organizations, working in the field and offering services to third-country citizens, participate in the Recording Mechanism. The Representation of UNHCR in Greece provides technical support to the Recording Mechanism and expertise on issues of refugee protection.

The Recording Mechanism does not engage in any way with legal proceedings that may have been initiated either by the alleged victims and their legal representatives or by the prosecuting authorities. However, by identifying alleged victims and securing the recording of their testimonies, the Recording Mechanism encourages victims to approach the competent authorities.

The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) is the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) in Greece and the independent advisory body to the Greek State for the promotion and protection of human rights. It has been established in accordance with the Paris Principles adopted by the United Nations (General Assembly Resolution A/RES/48/134, 20.12.1993, “National Institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights” NHRIs), and its institutional mission according to its founding legislation includes, among others, the constant monitoring of developments regarding human rights protection, the public information, and the promotion of relevant research. 

For more information please contact:

Ilias I. Tsampardoukas, Supervisor of the Recording Mechanism of Incidents of Informal Forced Returns, (+30) 210 723 3224, recordingmechanism@nchr.gr

For the press release in pdf format click here

The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNHCR) has the pleasure to present the documentary film: “A story of Human Rights” to mark the 25th anniversary of the GNCHR as well as the 10th anniversary of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) in which GNCHR has been an active member since 2013.

Throughout the film, GNCHR President Professor Maria Gavouneli, refers to the foundation of the GNCHR, its mandate, its current activities at national and international level, as well as its role in its international networks. In addition, contemporary challenges faced by the Greek NHRI today and for the years to come are explained. GNHCR President tackles a number of human rights issues at the core of GNCHR interests, such as gender-based violence, Roma inclusion, refugees and racist violence, LGBTQ+ rights, labor rights and accessibility for people with disabilities, commenting on 6 personal stories/narrations by people with prominent action in the field, namely:

• Sofia Bekatorou, Olympic Games Gold Medalist in Sailing, prominent figure of the greek #MeToo movement
• Alexandra Karagianni, GNHCR Alt.Member, Special Secretary for Human Rights of the Panhellenic Confederation of Greek Roma (ELLAN PASSE)
• Yonous Muhammadi, Founder and Director General of the Greek Forum of Refugees (Greek Forum of Refugees is among the member organisations of the Racist Violence Recording Network initiated by GNCHR and UNHCR Greece)

• Anna Apergi, GNCHR member, President of the Greek Transgender Support Organisation (SYD)
• Demetrios Karageorgopoulos, Secretary of Press and Public Relations of the Greek General Confederation of Labour – GSEE (GSEE is among the organisations designating members at the GNCHR)
• Ioannis Vardakastanis, GNCHR member, President of the National Confederation of Disabled People of Greece (N.C.D.P.)

In the last part of the documentary, ENNHRI’s Secretary General Debbie Kohner praises the GNCHR’s work at national level and its active contribution to the European Network. Regarding the foundation of ENNHRI, which has been a milestone for European NHRIs, D.Kohner explains how the institutions came together to agree their objectives, their ways of working and their values which are the principles of a human-rights based approach, as well as independence and solidarity.

Since the establishment of ENNHRI, 10 years ago, the EU, the Council of Europe and ODIHR recognized NHRIs as vital actors for the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and rule of law across Europe. In this last part of the film ENNHRI’s SG notes an increase in conflict and societal tension within Europe and afield, which has led to a huge displacement of individuals, claiming that policy reactions to displacement and conflict situations are often insufficient to truly protect the human rights of people impacted. D.Kohner finally refers to the impact of Artificial Intelligence and Climate Crisis in the protection of human rights, underlining the importance of GNCHR’s 25th anniversary.

The documentary was produced in collaboration with the distinguished journalist and producer Sofia Papaioannou and was co-funded by the EU in the context of ENNHRI Small Grants program (SGA-CERV-2023-03). The film was first presented on December 11th 2023, at a major in-person event which was held at the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens, Greece, with the participation of representatives from Ministries, International Organizations, NGO’s , Academics, Media e.t.c. and under the auspices of the e Hellenic Broadcasting Company (ERT).

Production: STORYLINE IKE PRODUCTIONS

Subtitles: Kelly Diavati

Special thanks to ENNHRI and Greenpeace Greece for kindly authorising plan recording permission.

Views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers only and do not necessarily reflect those of the EU or ENNHRI. Neither the EU nor ENNHRI can be held responsible for them.

Με βιντεοσκοπημένο μήνυμα, η Γενική Γραμματέας του Ευρωπαϊκού Δικτύου Εθνικών Θεσμών Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων κυρία Debbie Kohner, απηύθυνε χαιρετισμό στην εκδήλωση για τα 25 χρόνια από την ψήφιση του ιδρυτικού νόμου της ΕΕΔΑ που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο Μουσείο Κυκλαδικής Τέχνης τη Δευτέρα 11 Δεκεμβρίου 2023. Στην εκδήλωση, με χορηγό επικοινωνίας την ΕΡΤ, παρουσιάστηκε το ντοκιμαντέρ "Μια ιστορία δικαιωμάτων: 25 χρόνια ΕΕΔΑ - 10 χρόνια ENNHRI" που δημιουργήθηκε σε συνεργασία με τη δημοσιογράφο Σοφία Παπαϊωάννου στο πλαίσιο του συγχρηματοδοτούμενου από την ΕΕ προγράμματος ENNHRI Small Grants (SGA-CERV-2023-03).

Παρακολουθήστε το χαιρετισμό της D. Kohner: 

z

(Video Credits: Directed by Konstantinos Stathias & Angelos Athanasopoulos - Production: Nonstop Media)

2023 is a landmark year for Human Rights, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first legal document to set out the fundamental human rights and freedoms to be universally protected. The UDHR guarantees our rights without distinction of nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language or any other status. As the UN points out: “In the decades since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, human rights have become more recognised and more guaranteed across the globe. It has since served as the foundation for an expanding system of human rights protection that today focuses also on vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and migrants. However, the promise of the UDHR, of dignity and equality in rights, has been under a sustained assault in recent years. As the world faces challenges new and ongoing – pandemics, conflicts, exploding inequalities, morally bankrupt global financial system, racism, climate change – the values, and rights enshrined in the UDHR provide guideposts for our collective actions that do not leave anyone behind”.

UN slogan on Human Rights Day 2022, "Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All” reminds us that none of the above is to be taken for granted. The protection of every single right requires vigilance, daily struggle and systematic effort by citizens and human rights defenders around the world. 75 years after the adoption of the UDHR, GNCHR, joins its forces and voice with them to defend the rights to Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All!!!

A rise of 4.6 points in the Gender Equality Index was recorded by Greece from 2020 until today according to data published by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). Although Greece still occupies the last positions and specifically the 24th position of the EU, in recent years it has seen one of the largest rises among the member states of the Union.

The GNCHR, as the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), has been closely monitoring gender equality issues since its establishment, attaching highest importance to the protection of women's rights. This protection includes the assurance of the substantive equality and equal treatment of women in the exercise of all their economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights, but also the support of all vulnerable groups of women, such as women with disabilities, Roma women, refugee women, immigrant women, LGBTI+ women and every female victim of gender-based and domestic violence. In particular, the National Committee points out the need to adopt and implement strategies and measures that improve the balanced representation of the sexes in power and decision-making positions in politics and in policy-making as one of the basic conditions for combating discrimination and achieving substantive equality of gender.

See the EIGE Gender Equality Index here

See the TV Spot of the GNCHR campaign for equal representation of women in political life:

The GNCHR decided to draw up a Reference Report on the institutional framework for the control of security and intelligence services, which was announced in the the Press Release of 23.01.2023. The role of security and intelligence services in the fight against crime and the protection of national security is crucial. On the other hand, their work interferes with the enjoyment of human rights and places restrictions on ensuring the confidentiality of communications and the protection of personal data, which are two pillars of the rule of law.

The Greek National Commission of Human Rights (GNCHR) participated at the 23d Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology (Florence 6-9 September 2023). GNCHR was represented by legal officers Eva Tzavala and Katerina Charokopou and Human Rights Officer Anastasia Chalkia. In their presentation GNCHR representatives focused on the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) as key actors in documenting and preventing hate crime.

Since January 2022 GNCHR participates as a partner at the co-funded by the European Commission programme “STAND UP – Standing up against hate in the EU”.

The project aims to establish a public authority-led, multi-agency model for countering hate crime.

In the context of the programme, GNCHR delivers training to national authorities on hate crime and is currently conducting research on the use of data from open-source intelligence systems to enhance monitoring of the phenomenon of hate crime.

Athens, 25.08.2023 – The Racist Violence Recording Network categorically condemns recent incidents involving civilian self-proclaimed ‘militia’ groups engaging in unlawful acts of violence against refugees and migrants. The Network also expresses profound concern about the intensifying targeting against migrants and refugees in general, amidst the fires raging in Evros.

An alarming incident unfolded in the Evros region, where citizens appeared to threaten and illegally detain a group of migrants and refugees inside a trailer, while using racist and derogatory language and inciting similar acts of violence. The incident came to light through a relevant video and subsequent articles, which triggered numerous racist comments. These events coincide with the tragic news of discovering dead people, reportedly refugees and migrants, in the Evros region due to the fires. 

After the arrests that followed the publication of the above incident, the Network is pleased to note that the authorities have included the investigation of racist motive under article 82A of the Penal Code. The timely and effective investigation of the racist motive is a key factor in sending the message that no illegal act motivated by intolerant views should go unpunished. Furthermore, the Network underscores that based on the relevant national institutional framework (Law 4478/2017) and the corresponding European framework, victims of racist violence are particularly vulnerable and it is incumbent upon the authorities to provide them with the necessary support, in order to prevent secondary victimization or re-victimization , and to ensure a framework of protection and that they have access to support services throughout the legal proceedings.

In line with the internationally recognized methodology for investigating racist crimes and other bias-motivated crimes, which national authorities must follow, the perpetrator’s comments and the level of violence inflicted on the victim are important indicators for probing the underlying racist motive. It is important to recall that the Network has previously recorded incidents in the broader Evros region involving attacks against asylum-seekers by groups of civilians armed with hunting rifles. Such testimonies reveal that the standard practice of organized violence by certain groups of vigilante militias, justified under the distorted guise of defending national sovereignty, has persisted in the region.

In light of the above, the Network is concerned that this incident is not isolated but rather part of a broader climate characterized by targeting and racist attitudes against refugees and migrants in the country, which has escalated in recent days. 

As the Network pointed out in its 2022 Annual Report, incidents of organized racist violence against refugees and migrants continue to exist and be recorded, albeit to a lesser degree than in previous years. The need for constant vigilance is underscored by the recent murder of a young man from Pakistan on 12 August 2023 and the subsequent arrest of four young Greeks as suspects in the case. It is imperative that the circumstances of this tragedy be thoroughly investigated, with due consideration of the racist motive, as urged by those close to the victim and migrant communities. It is recalled that in cases of racist crimes, which are crimes that send a message of intimidation to the victim’s wider community, the level of violence and brutality tends to be severe, as it serves as an expression of superiority and rejection towards the victim and the targeted community. This context has been documented in previous years, most notably in the case of the murder of Shehzad Luqman.

Lastly, the Network expresses serious concern regarding the deteriorating climate against refugees and migrants in the political and public discourse, which is even expressed by representatives of parties in the Greek Parliament, in light of the aforementioned incidents. As underscored by the Network’s previous findings, such phenomena normalize, encourage, and ultimately escalate racist reactions, firstly in the media and social media, that sometimes result in attacks on the street, with the clear risk of irreparably disrupting social cohesion. An illustrative example is the strong racist discourse from part of society, on the occasion of these recent events. It is of utmost importance that representatives of the State, local authorities, media outlets, institutional bodies, and every individual citizen isolate and condemn any intolerant rhetoric and racist actions. At the same time, the Network calls on competent authorities to coordinate and adopt policies to address and prevent such phenomena that lead to the dehumanization and targeting of ‘others’, of refugees and migrants, including on the basis of their origin, nationality, or religion.

For more information: Garyfallia Anastasopoulou, 210.7233216, racistviolence@nchr.gr

About the Racist Violence Recording Network

The Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN) is coordinated by the Greek National Commission for Human Rights and UNHCR in Greece and is comprised of 55 Non-Governmental Organizations and civil society bodies, as well as the Greek Ombudsman and the Migrant Integration Council of the Municipality of Athens, as observers. Members: Aitima, Solidarity Now, Antigone -Information and Documentation Centre, University of Aegean Anti-Racist Observatory, Arsis, Doctors of the World (MdM), Amnesty International, Network for Children’s Rights, Network for Social Support of Refugees and Immigrants, “Pleiades – Hellenic Action for Human Rights”, Hellenic League for Human Rights, Hellenic Red Cross, Greek Council for Refugees, Greek Forum of Migrants, Greek Forum of Refugees, Human Rights Commission of the Bar Association of Rhodes, Positive Voice, Medical Intervention, Caritas Athens, Caritas Hellas, Centre for Research on Women’s Issues “Diotima”, Center for Life, “Babel” Day Centre, SYNYPARXIS (Coexistence) – ECUMENICAL REFUGEE PROGRAM, Network for the Support of Refugee and Migrant Rights (Patras), World Without War and Violence, LATHRA? – Solidarity Committee for Chios refugees, METAdrasi, Rainbow Families, Group of Lawyers for the Rights of Refugees and Migrants, Group of Lawyers for the Support of Refugee and Migrant Rights (Thessaloniki), Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece, Association of Afghans United In Greece, Association of Social Workers of Greece, Greek Transgender Support Association, Faros tou Kosmou, Refugee Support Aegean, Act Up Hellas, ASANTE, Colour Youth – LGBTQ Youth Community of Athens, Generation 2.0 RED, HIAS in Greece, HumanRights360, Melissa Network, PRAKSIS, A21, Simeio for studying and fighting the far-right, Lesvos Solidarity, Steps, Legal Centre Lesvos, Aegean Migrant Solidarity | Christian Peacemaker Teams, ELLAN PASSE, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Centre for the Study of Social and Humanitarian Crisis-KEKAK, Thessaloniki Pride, I Have Rights.