The Racist Violence Recording Network was established based on the initiative of the Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Greece (UNHCR), with the participation of non-governmental organizations. It is to be stated that in the Network at hand participates 55 non-governmental organizations that provide legal, medical, social, or other support and come in contact with victims of racist violence, as well as The Greek Ombudsman and the Μigrant and Refugee Integration Council of the Municipality of Athens, as observers.
The establishment of the Network resulted from two important facts: a) the absence of a formal and effective system for recording incidents of racist violence and b) the need to connect the entities which record on their own initiative those incidents that occur against persons who come to their services.
The Racist Violence Recording Network launched the systematic recording of racist acts of violence on approval on October 1, 2011. It uses a unified methodology and a common Racist Incident Recording Form in order to obtain clear and complete indications of the racist violence in Greece. The Network consists of organizations that provide medical, social, legal services and/or come into direct contact with victims of racist violence or other violent attacks motivated by hate or prejudice, and finally, of organizations created by the groups that usually constitute the target of racist violence. Essential elements for joining the Network in question consist of respect for human rights, diversity, multiculturalism, secularism as well as action to address discrimination and intolerance. In addition to the coordinators, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the GNCHR, the Network currently includes 52 NGOs and civil society organizations, as well as The Greek Ombudsman and the Μigrant and Refugee Integration Council of the Municipality of Athens, as observers. In particular, the Members of the Network are: 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, METAction, 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).
The participants of the Network recognize and pursue as a common goal the fight against racist violence as well as all acts of hate caused by race, color, religion, racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, identity gender, gender characteristics, and disability.
For the purposes of the Network, incidents of racist violence are considered criminal acts or violent acts or behaviors against individuals, who are targeted based on national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Criminal acts or violent acts or behaviors against human rights defenders, and those who promote and protect human rights and are targeted because of their action, are also recorded. In pursuit of the common goal, the Network: a) makes recommendations to the Greek authorities under Greek and international human rights law, b) promotes information and public awareness on the fight against racism c) consults on specific issues related to racist violence, d) strengthens cooperation with other bodies competent to combat racist violence, e) organizes and participates in training programs for civil society and relevant institutions on issues related to identifying, recording and tackling hate crimes.
From October 2011, the starting point of the recordings, until today, the activity of the Network is constantly expanding. The Network participates in institutional initiatives to improve the treatment of racist crime and seeks to raise awareness about racist crime in every possible way. To that end, it responds to a particularly high number of requests for information from researchers, journalists, and students. Also, the Network contributes to the dissemination of legislation against racism and racist crime through its participation in seminars, training, and public debates and specialized bodies of the State. Recognition of the role of the Network in the fight against racist crime is reflected in the frequent invitations since it receives from international and European organizations, national institutions, and other bodies to express its opinion but also to present its data, operation, and methodology.
The Network's work is coordinated by the Assistant Coordinator. Ms. Garyfallia Anastassopoulou has been acting Assistant Coordinator since February 2020.
Assistant Coordinators were also Ms. Tina Stavrinaki from 2015 to 2019 and Ms. Eleni Takou from 2012 to 2015.
The Racist Violence Case Recording Network is based at the premises of the GNCHR.
Contact information: (+30) 2107233216, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Annual Network Reports
Presentation of the Annual Report 2018 of the Racist Violence Recording Network (18.4.2019):
Press Release for the Press Conference
Presentation of the Annual Report 2017 of the Racist Violence Recording Network (28.3.2018):
The invitation to the Press Conference can be found here.
The Press Release for the Press Conference can be found here.
The Annual Report 2017 can be found here.
Relevant photographic material
Presentation of the Annual Report 2016 of the Racist Violence Recording Network to the Special Standing Committee on Equality, Youth and Human Rights of the Greek Parliament (7.6.2017)
Greeting of the President of EEDA Georgios Stavropoulos
Relevant audiovisual material
Presentation of the Annual Report 2016 of the Racist Violence Recording Network (4.4.2017):
The invitation to the Press Conference can be found here.
The Annual Report 2016 can be found here.
Report of the Racist Violence Recording Network for the year 2015: Recording of incidents of violence with racist motives by the members of the Network during 2015 (19.4.2016).
Invitation to a press conference and Press Release of the press conference for the announcement of the results of the recording of incidents of violence with racist motives in 2015 (19.4.2016).
Press Release, Invitation to a Press Conference for the Presentation of the Annual Report 2013, Wednesday 02.04.2014 (28.03.2014)
