Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Welcome Greece’s Guide on Reporting Hate Crimes, Ask about Alleged Violations of the Rights of Minorities and Asylum Seekers
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination today concluded its consideration of the combined twenty-third and twenty-fourth periodic report of Greece. Committee Experts commended the State on its guide on reporting hate crimes, and asked questions on alleged excessive use of force against minorities by the police and violations of the rights of asylum seekers by the Hellenic Coast Guard.
One Committee Expert welcomed the guide on reporting hate crimes. Were victims of hate crimes made aware of this guide?
Bakri Sidiki Diaby, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said there had been several allegations of excessive use of force against minorities by the police. How was the State party ensuring that all allegations were properly investigated, perpetrators punished, and victims granted reparations?
Mr. Diaby said that since March 2020, a significant deterioration had been noted in the security of persons from third countries seeking asylum in the east of Greece. There had been reports of summary forced return, secret detention, confiscation of personal effects, and intrusive searches. What steps had been taken to investigate these alleged violations of human rights and to prevent such violations?
Introducing the report, Aikaterini Patsogianni, Secretary General of Equality and Human Rights, Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs of Greece and head of the delegation, said that, in the fight against racism, police authorities had developed standards and guidance in areas such as training and capacity building of law enforcement, improved recording and collection of data on hate crimes, as well as cooperation between law enforcement and civil society organizations, and ways to address underreporting.
The delegation said one key initiative of the national action plan against racism and intolerance was the guide for victims on reporting hate crimes, which had been translated into nine languages and published online. Several training activities had been held to improve State authorities’ response to hate crimes.
Police personnel were obliged to respect human rights and perform their duties based on respect for individuals, the delegation said. Over 1,000 cases of police misdemeanours had been conveyed to the Ombudsman, and around 660 disciplinary sanctions had been implemented.
The delegation said the Hellenic Coast Guard’s practices followed international law. Protecting human life at sea and aiding those in distress, without any form of discrimination, was the highest duty of the Coast Guard. All allegations of pushbacks were appropriately investigated by monitoring bodies. The Coast Guard had saved and continued to save thousands of lives at sea. From 2013, Coast Guard officers had been trained in basic human rights principles.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Diaby thanked the delegation for the dialogue, which had been intensive, fruitful, frank and necessary. The questions raised by the Committee aimed to assess progress in the implementation of the Convention to help the Committee to develop recommendations that were helpful to Greece.
In his concluding remarks, Ioannis Ghikas, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the dialogue had been intense but constructive, identifying issues that the State party needed to address. The State was proud of the progress it had made since the last review, including in protecting the rights of asylum seekers and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons.
The delegation of Greece consisted of representatives of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Citizen Protection; Ministry of Labour and Social Security; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Migration and Asylum; Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy; Hellenic Labour Inspectorate; Presidency of the Government; and the Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Committee will issue its concluding observations on the report of Greece after the conclusion of its one hundred and fourteenth session on 13 December. The programme of work and other documents related to the session can be found here. Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.
The Committee will next meet in public on Wednesday, 4 December at 3 p.m. to consider the combined eighth and ninth periodic report of Kenya (CERD/C/KEN/8-9).
Report
The Committee has before it the combined twenty-third and twenty-fourth periodic report of Greece (CERD/C/GRC/23-24).
Presentation of Report
IOANNIS GHIKAS, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the dialogue would highlight the progress Greece had made. The State party had taken significant initiatives to combat racial discrimination, including by implementing the national action plan on preventing racism and intolerance, laws combatting hate speech, and training programmes for law enforcement officials. The State party had also adopted a national action plan on preventing anti-Semitism and had made efforts to promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, including by implementing legislation on same-sex marriage.
Progress had been made despite the decade-long economic crisis that Greece had been facing. The racist “Golden Dawn” organization had been banned from participating in political activities and its leaders had been imprisoned. Civil society continued to support the State party’s efforts to prevent racism and intolerance. There was much work to be done, but Greece was committed to addressing the issues it faced, and looked forward to the recommendations of the Committee.
AIKATERINI PATSOGIANNI, Secretary General of Equality and Human Rights, Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs of Greece and head of the delegation, said that since the last review, Greece had been advancing toward long-term sustainable economic progress, supporting its human rights and anti-racism framework. In the fight against racism, police authorities had developed standards and guidance in areas such as training and capacity building of law enforcement, improved recording and collection of data on hate crimes, as well as cooperation between law enforcement and civil society organizations, and ways to address underreporting. The judicial system responded to organizations that exploited the economic crisis and the resulting fractures to the social fabric to commit criminal racist acts, while the legislature took measures to protect and safeguard the democratic electoral process from such criminal organizations.
The National Council against Racism and Intolerance, in which independent bodies also participated, adopted its first national action plan in December 2020. Efforts for the second action plan were underway, with funding secured for a results-driven agenda. In this regard, the State party was ready to work with relevant stakeholders, including the Racist Violence Recording Network.
Greece was actively implementing the National Strategy on the Roma 2021–2030, guided by the principle of “for the Roma, with the Roma.” Key committees, including the independent Roma Forum, were fully operational. All available European Union funding was used to enhance the Roma's employment, education, healthcare and housing.
On migration, modernised reception facilities ensured dignified conditions and targeted care for vulnerable groups, while a robust system supported unaccompanied minors. The Asylum Service had significantly improved in efficiency. The “HELIOS” project and legal reforms promoted integration and labour market access. Enhanced international cooperation also provided pathways for organised, legal migration.
Border protection was carried out in line with domestic, European and international law. Protecting human life at sea and aiding those in distress, without any form of discrimination, was the highest duty of the Hellenic Coast Guard. Allegations of violations of the principle of non-refoulement were inconsistent with the operational activities of the competent agencies. The State had put in place a multi-level policy for the effective monitoring of fundamental rights. The Hellenic Coast Guard had saved and continued to save thousands of lives at sea.
Greece had ratified International Labour Organization Convention 190 to create a work environment free from violence and harassment. Public authorities detected and protected all trafficking victims, without discrimination, in line with the principles of the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings and the National Referral Mechanism.
Inclusive education was promoted through various initiatives and teacher training programmes. Key efforts included the “Active Citizens’ Actions” curriculum supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, a 2023 anti-bullying law with a reporting platform, a mobile phone ban to reduce cyberbullying, and the introduction of “Digital School” and “Skills Lab” to enhance digital learning.
The State party had also established an independent Committee of Deontology, aimed at countering all types of expression in printed and electronic media that incited, promoted, spread or justified violence, hatred or discriminatory speech. Human rights education, training and awareness-raising activities, including for law enforcement personnel and members of the judiciary, remained top priorities.
Questions by a Committee Expert
BAKRI SIDIKI DIABY, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, thanked Greece for supporting the candidacy of Greek Expert Stamatia Stavrinaki to the Committee, who made remarkable contributions to its work.
Could the delegation provide information on the ethnic makeup of the population and of asylum seekers and refugees living in the State party? The Committee was concerned by the general lack of disaggregated data on racial discrimination. What measures were in place to implement a comprehensive data collection system?
What measures had the State party taken to address excessive use of force by the police? There had been several allegations of such excessive use of force against minorities. How was the State party ensuring that all allegations were properly investigated, perpetrators punished, and victims granted reparations?
There was a limited number of convictions for cases involving racial discrimination and official data on cases reported to the police was not accessible to the public. The Committee was concerned that the new anti-racist law was not fully in line with the requirements of article four of the Convention as it did not criminalise the dissemination of ideas of racial superiority or prohibit racist organizations. What measures were in place to revise legislation to ensure that all incitement to racial, ethnic and religious hatred was criminalised and that perpetrators were punished? How had the police’s capacity to investigate racist crimes and to combat racist violence been increased? State services reportedly did not provide appropriate, timely support to victims of racist violence, who relied on support from civil society. Was a referral system for victims to State services being developed?
Over the reporting period, there had been 89 reported cases of racism targeting asylum seekers and refugees. The Committee welcomed the various legislative measures undertaken to address racism. Were there gaps in the implementation of legislation on racism? Was there a media regulatory body that held journalists to account when they disseminated racist notions?
Was the State party drafting a new national action plan to combat racism and intolerance? What results had the last action plan achieved? The National Council against Racism and Intolerance had been reactivated in 2024. What measures were in place to ensure that the Council could work effectively?
Why had there been delays in the registration of civil society organizations claiming to have minority status? Some minority associations had been dissolved; could the delegation comment on this?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Greece did not collect statistical data based on race and religious affiliations due to its protection of the right to privacy. Statistical data was collected on specific categories of beneficiaries of State policies, such as policies for the Roma. Data was also collected on the demographics of prison inmates, and on migrants, asylum seekers and refugees according to European Union regulations. A unified information system for reception and asylum was being developed. Data on migrants’ gender, ethnicity and religion was collected.
After 2015, there was an amendment to legislation concerning the punishment of hate crimes that facilitated the investigation and prosecution of cases by eliminating the need to prove the standard of “hate”. Data from the judiciary and the Public Prosecutor showed that there had been better implementation of hate crime legislation in recent years. The State party also had legislation on hate speech and incitement to hatred that addressed speech inciting racial superiority.
“Golden Dawn” was not allowed to participate in elections and State funding to it had been suspended. All political parties that acted as proxies for persons who had committed racist hate crimes were prohibited, and on this basis two political parties had recently been banned from participating in elections.
Questions by Committee Experts
BAKRI SIDIKI DIABY, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said human rights defenders were sometimes accused and condemned without having the opportunity to defend themselves. Did the State party intend to adopt special legislation to protect human rights defenders? Several dozens of cases of refoulement involving Greece had been examined by the European Court of Human Rights. Were border police trained on the handling of migrants? What aid had been provided to victims of police violence?
One Committee Expert said that although the European Union directive on victim support had been incorporated into national legislation, there were allegations that the directive was not sufficiently applied, leading to impunity for perpetrators of racist acts. How did the State party collect data on foreign nationals in the prison system? What recommendations had been provided by the Racist Violence Reporting Network to the State and had these been implemented?
Another Committee Expert asked about the effectiveness of State policies. How many of the cases of police misconduct reported had resulted in sanctions? How many committees reviewing journalistic ethics had members of racial minority groups?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Greece had permitted the reopening of domestic court proceedings after decisions on three cases by the European Court of Human Rights. A committee of independent experts had been established to develop strategies for the implementation of the European Court’s decisions.
Police personnel were obliged to respect human rights and perform their duties based on respect for individuals. They needed to avoid prejudice based on distinguishing characteristics. The Hellenic Police transmitted relevant information to an independent Ombudsman concerning cases involving discrimination. Over 1,000 cases of police misdemeanours had been conveyed to the Ombudsman, and around 660 disciplinary sanctions had been implemented. Several cases related to racist actions by the police.
The law on audiovisual media services prohibited the dissemination of hate speech based on race and other characteristics. The National Media Advisory Authority had the competence to impose sanctions for disseminating hate speech through online and offline media. All print and online media needed to meet requirements related to the Journalistic Code of Ethics, which included prohibitions of hate speech. The Journalistic Ethics Committee was mandated to investigate all allegations of discriminatory speech. Its members were not appointed based on their ethnicity or sex but were journalists and academics.
In Greece, persons with low income could apply for free legal aid. Legal aid was also provided to victims in trafficking cases and to female victims of violence. Measures were in place to protect victims from secondary victimisation in legal proceedings. All victims were informed of their rights, including the right to compensation.
The Greek legislative framework did not have a specific law for the protection of human rights defenders; all persons were equal before the law.
Private funding of political parties was strictly forbidden in Greece. Only State funding was legal for political parties. This was why State funding had been suspended for parties that engaged in hate crimes and hate speech.
Questions by a Committee Expert
MAZALO TEBIE, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said not all incidents of racism were reported by victims, allegedly due to a lack of confidence in the authorities. What measures were in place to strengthen confidence in the justice system among citizens? Did the State party intend to establish an efficient data collection system on racist violence? How would it promote access to justice for victims of racial discrimination? How many complaints of racist hate speech and hate crimes had been received by the State and how many perpetrators had been prosecuted? In how many court cases had the Convention been cited? What measures had the State party taken to encourage the participation of civil society in the implementation of the Convention? Racism continued to be prevalent in the Attica region and in centres where refugees and asylum seekers were located. Did the State party intend to accept the Committee’s communications procedure?
Discrimination against minorities by authorities persisted. What recent educational initiatives had been implemented to combat intolerance and prejudice and promote intercultural dialogue? The State party had received the Global Education Award for establishing the Skills Lab, which promoted ethnic tolerance. Was this implemented in all regions of the State party and at all levels?
The Committee commended the State party for its efforts to create memorials of the Holocaust. There were 158 attacks based on religion recorded in 2023. What measures were in place to ensure efficient investigations of these incidents and to develop protection measures? There had also been an increase in cases of vandalism of religious sites and profanation in recent years. What measures were in place to put an end to these practices?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the police code of conduct required police to act with empathy toward vulnerable people. The State party collected data on hate speech and hate crimes, including data on racially motivated crimes.
In Greek prisons, data was collected on nationality. Foreigners from 101 nationalities made up 50 per cent of the prison population. These were persons who were convicted and serving these sentences in Greek prisons. Greece was on the crossroads of many routes, and many people in prisons in Greece were engaged in cross-border criminal activity.
The Ombudsperson received discrimination complaints. Racial discrimination complaints made up seven per cent of complaints received in 2023, up from two per cent in 2022. The labour inspectorate examined complaints of workplace discrimination. The inspectorate was empowered to instigate administrative sanctions. Three cases it investigated in 2023 involved discrimination on the grounds of nationality.
The police had established specialised departments to address violent hate crimes and hate speech and provide support to victims in Attica and the Eastern Aegean region. A hotline and online form for reporting hate crimes had been implemented, and several campaigns were underway on online hate speech. The police force was cooperating with civil society, which provided training to upgrade the capacities of police staff.
The Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure had been revised to make them more victim centred. Courts had been redistributed to improve citizens’ access across the State. Domestic violence legislation had also been modernised.
Questions by Committee Experts
MAZALO TEBIE, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, asked for statistics on victims of discrimination who had benefitted from free legal aid. There was a large gap between the records of racist violence of the Racist Violence Reporting Network and the Government. Why was this? On what basis was the second national action plan on addressing racism being devised?
One Committee Expert said that it was quite shocking that 50 per cent of prisoners in Greece were non-nationals.
Another Committee Expert said that the State’s regulations on the provision of legal aid appeared to limit access to it. Would it consider implementing a system of reviewing all requests for legal aid, regardless of the type of crime?
A Committee Expert asked whether the labour inspectorate assigned fines for workplace discrimination. Why were non-nationals in Attica most impacted by racist crimes? How did the State party apply the recommendations of the Racist Violence Reporting Network? The Expert welcomed the guide on reporting hate crimes. Were victims made aware of this guide?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the national action plan against racism and intolerance focused on addressing hate crimes, empowering minorities, and eliminating discrimination based on various characteristics. One key initiative was the guide for victims on reporting hate crimes, which had been translated into nine languages and distributed to migrant reception centres and published online. Several training activities had been held to improve State authorities’ response to hate crimes.
The National Council against Racism and Intolerance had held meetings with civil society to develop the second national action plan on addressing racism and intolerance. It had secured funding to improve victims’ access to State services. The Council would review the Committee’s recommendations and include them in the second national action plan, which would focus on strengthening data collection on hate crimes and developing more services for victims.
The Skills Lab initiative had been piloted nationwide. New curricula promoted human rights education and intercultural communication. Training courses were offered for teachers on human rights and inclusion. A digital platform for reporting school bullying and violence had been launched. As of April 2024, over 700 reports had been received, 10 per cent of which related to racism.
Various actions had been taken to provide education about the Holocaust. Greece was one of the first countries to return the property of victims of the Holocaust. The State collected data on vandalism of religious sites. In 2015, 147 cases were recorded.
The procedure for applying for free legal aid was very simple. Applicants needed only to supply documents proving that they had low income. Victims of almost all crimes could apply for this aid. Lawyers could be appointed for defendants in serious crimes with punishments of five years imprisonment or more.
On some occasions, victims of racist violence went to the Racist Violence Reporting Network but not to public authorities. In 2023, 115 cases had been opened by authorities. There was not a big gap between the number of cases collected by authorities and by the Network. More than half of the population lived in Attica. This was why most racist crimes were reported in this region.
Questions by Committee Experts
BAKRI SIDIKI DIABY, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said 18 per cent of asylum camp residents did not enjoy basic material conditions, including food and financial assistance. There were only 29 doctors, 92 nurses and 69 interpreters deployed across all the camps, some of which had more than 1,000 residents. What measures were in place to improve the situation in the camps and ensure that the detention of foreign nationals was only done as a last resort? How was the State party ensuring access to interpretation services for foreign nationals? What efforts had been made to develop a statelessness establishment procedure? How was the State party addressing barriers to refugees accessing official documents?
What steps had been taken to investigate alleged violations of human rights in the context of border management and to prevent such violations? Was there regular independent surveillance of border forces and efforts to strengthen their capacity? Since March 2020, a significant deterioration had been noted in the security and safety of persons from third countries seeking asylum in the east of Greece. There had been reports of summary forced return of persons who had entered from Türkiye, secret detention without sufficient safeguards, confiscation of personal effects, and intrusive searches. There were also reports of private individuals towing and removing engines from asylum seekers’ boats, and assisting officials in carrying out forced returns.
Greece had not signed the statelessness convention and the Presidential decree on the statelessness determination procedure had not been promulgated. Around 3,740 people in Greece had stated that they had no nationality. What measures would the State party take to better address the issue of statelessness?
The Committee had previously expressed concern regarding low salaries and long working hours for migrant workers, particularly in the agricultural sector. What measures were in place to improve the situation of migrant workers? Was there a safe and accessible way of filing complaints related to workplace discrimination? What measures were in place to support undocumented migrants and protect them from trafficking and forced labour?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said seminars on human rights and diversity had been provided for over 1,600 public servants. Seminars had been held on the Holocaust for members of the Orthodox Church of Greece and on the basic principles of Islam for prison officers. Over 160 integrity advisors had also been trained and certified to support integrity in the public service. The national school of the judiciary provided mandatory training on human rights, gender-based violence and other topics. In 2024, 15 seminars had been planned for judges and 12 for court staff.
Greece directly implemented the Convention in domestic law, which was why court decisions did not directly reference the Convention.
If infringements of labour laws were found, labour inspectors could impose administrative sanctions and fines, and file serious cases of non-compliance with the Prosecutor.
Refugee children could enrol in reception classes without documentation. Language classes were offered for students after school hours. Educational guides assisted teachers in making refugee students feel welcome and safe.
Greece was facing challenges with the arrival of third country nationals seeking to enter Europe through Türkiye. It had accelerated asylum procedures through the digitisation of asylum procedures. Health care insurance and tax identification numbers were provided to asylum seekers, who could access employment and healthcare throughout the State.
One of the main priorities of Greece’s migration policy was to improve asylum conditions. Case managers carried out rapid assessments of new arrivals’ needs. Vulnerable persons were provided with specialised protection. More interpreters were being provided in collaboration with various public and private organizations and civil society. The “HELIOS” integration system offered support to refugees to access the labour market, health and education. Another initiative was specifically focused on providing language, vocational and intercultural training to refugees seeking to enter the job market.
Migration legislation had been amended to reduce the number of migrants in informal employment. An agreement had been reached with Egypt on the provision of temporary employment to Egyptian citizens in the agricultural sector. An agreement was also reached with Bangladeshi citizens to improve access to formal employment. These agreements reenforced legal pathways to migration.
The average time taken to process asylum applications was now 100 days; formerly processing took years. Greece collaborated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to develop a new system of naturalisation that was fairer for refugees and stateless persons. Around 55 applications for Greek citizenship had been received; only 16 were still pending, citizenship had been granted for the rest.
Police had circulated guidelines on the protection of the fundamental rights of refugees arriving in the State. No third country national was to be returned until their asylum application had been processed.
Questions by Committee Experts
BAKRI SIDIKI DIABY, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said violence and excessive use of force had been reported in asylum centres. Could the delegation comment on this? Mr. Diaby congratulated the State party on efforts to formalise the status of stateless persons. Did the State party intend to ratify the statelessness convention? How was the State party responding to racist incidents in sport?
One Committee Expert asked about the results of the human rights education strategies implemented by the State.
FAITH DIKELEDI PANSY TLAKULA, Committee Expert and Follow-Up Rapporteur, said the Committee had previously recommended that the State party provide training to teachers on providing education to migrant children, ensure individual assessment of asylum applications, and protect against refoulement. What efforts had been made to improve migrants’ access to asylum procedures and education?
Another Committee Expert said that in recent years, there had been a rise in hate speech across the world, including in Greece. What measures were in place to tackle racist hate speech targeting migrants and minorities, and xenophobia?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the State was proud of improvements that had been made in the situation on the State’s islands. The Hellenic Coast Guard’s practices followed international law. All allegations of pushbacks were appropriately investigated by monitoring bodies. From 2015 to the present, the Coast Guard had rescued over 250,000 persons at sea. From 2013, Coast Guard officers had been trained in basic human rights principles.
Greece was stepping up efforts to prevent trafficking in persons through legal and policy instruments. The national action plan on trafficking in persons was being updated to address financial and labour exploitation. The State party had organised seminars and created standards on the financial aspects of these crimes. New forms of exploitation had been added to legislation. Accommodation, medical care and legal counselling were provided to victims of trafficking in persons. A leaflet on human trafficking had been produced in several languages.
The State party was prioritising the ratification of International Labour Organization convention 29 on forced labour. This process was expected to be completed soon. A plan for the prevention of labour exploitation was formulated by the State each year and preventative inspections were carried out twice a year in vulnerable sectors. Employees could file complaints through an online anonymous complaints service, by email or a telephone hotline. The State provided migrant workers with information about their rights.
A programme was in place to increase access to medical staff in asylum centres through measures such as the temporary transfer of medical personnel. Around 16,200 refugee students from 70 different countries were enrolled in Greek educational institutions. Case managers trained in the best interests of the child monitored age assessment procedures, which would soon be harmonised across all European Union Member States.
Greece had ratified the regional conventions on safety in sport matches and had implemented legislation that prohibited banners at sporting matches with racist or sexist content.
Questions by Committee Experts
MAZALO TEBIE, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said Greece only formally recognised one minority, Thrace Muslims. Why were other minority groups not recognised as minorities? What data was collected on minorities? How well represented was the Muslim minority in public bodies and in elected roles at national and local levels?
What outcomes had been achieved by the last national strategy on the inclusion of the Roma and what progress had been made in implementing the current strategy? Were the Roma consulted about policies and strategies that affected them? Roma people reportedly continued to be victims of discrimination in Greece when trying to access healthcare, housing and employment. Many Roma people lived below the poverty threshold and struggled to access basic services. What measures were in place to ensure equal access for Roma children to education and schooling? What measures were in place to improve access to paid employment and quality healthcare for the Roma? Roma often lacked access to heating, running water and toilets. How was the State party preventing forced evictions and fines for illegal construction? Roma people faced long, costly judicial procedures to acquire Greek nationality. How was the State party promoting their access to nationality?
The Committee noted the adoption of several laws and the national strategy in favour of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. However, this community continued to be subjected to discrimination in schools and public services. What measures were in place to tackle such discrimination? What results had the national strategy achieved?
There were reports of migrant women, including pregnant women, having been assaulted by Greek Coast Guards. Greece had the highest rate of femicide in Europe. What measures were in place to address violence against women?
What statistics did the State party have on people of African descent and their integration in public life? What activities had been undertaken as part of the International Decade for People of African Descent? How was the State party combatting the multiple forms of discrimination faced by this group? What measures were in place to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action? Was there a formal mechanism in place to assess its implementation?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the term “minority” in Greece was understood under stricter criteria than those of the Committee. The State party respected the principle of self-identification. Groups of people who were not recognised as a minority enjoyed all rights under the Convention. Four members of the Hellenic Parliament were Muslims, and more than 100 Muslims had been elected to public bodies.
The Roma had expressed the will not to be considered as an ethnic minority. Authorities paid particular attention to this vulnerable group. The State had made the civil registry process easier and more efficient for the Roma. The previous strategy on Roma inclusion provided specific interventions to address early school dropouts and support access to health and housing. Implementation of this strategy was independently reviewed. There were also 85 local action plans on Roma support elaborated with the Roma population. There was an open, independent consultation platform with 13 Roma organizations that met every three months to devise strategies for Roma inclusion.
Roma people were eligible for all State welfare benefits. The State party was promoting the Roma’s participation in education and the labour market. The public employment service implemented targeted programmes for the Roma, such as 15,000-euro subsidies for Roma who started a business and training and certification in technical jobs.
The Government had taken measures to facilitate the inclusion of Roma children in education. Psychosocial support was provided to vulnerable students in schools. Roma children could be enrolled in schools without official documentation. Teacher training programmes were provided on combatting early school dropouts and supporting Roma children.
The State party did not have records of complaints against Coast Guard officials regarding sexual assault of pregnant women. This year, there had been 12 victims of femicide. The State party had ratified the Istanbul Convention and was collecting data on violence against women and conducting training in schools to raise awareness of the issue. There was a large network of structures for supporting women victims, who had access to emergency accommodation.
The national strategy on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons aimed to combat discrimination and promote equality for these people. All ministries carried out actions supporting these people.
Questions by Committee Experts
MAZALO TEBIE, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said there were gaps between policies for the Roma and practices. What was the size of the Roma population? What were the causes of femicides in the State party and the ethnic origins of the victims? Had the State party considered making a law on femicide?
A Committee Expert said Roma children were being segregated in Greek schools. How many Roma children were participating in and graduating from inclusive public education?
FAITH DIKELEDI PANSY TLAKULA, Committee Expert and Follow-Up Rapporteur, said the Committee had previously expressed concern about the poor working conditions of migrant workers in the agricultural sector and the informal economy. What investigations had been carried out into the exploitation of migrant workers and what compensation was provided to victims? Were employers who imposed abusive labour conditions subjected to criminal sanctions? What training was provided to labour inspectors on identifying victims of human trafficking?
One Committee Expert said Greece’s efforts to preserve its historical monuments were commendable.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Greece was home to a vibrant community of people of African descent, many of whom held leading roles in civil society and public organizations. Greece fully supported the pending General Assembly resolution to declare a second International Decade for People of African Descent. The National Council against Racism and Intolerance was implementing measures to support the rights of people of African descent.
There were 120,000 Roma people in Greece, 20,000 of whom received guaranteed minimum income support. To encourage school attendance, families whose children did not attend school did not receive welfare benefits. Investments had been made to improve housing infrastructure in Roma communities.
Around 1,600 labour inspections were carried out this year and fines were issued in around 700 cases. Twenty cases had been reported to the Public Prosecutor regarding potential victims of trafficking in persons. Standards had been developed for seasonal housing for migrant workers. The labour inspectorate’s staff had been increased recently. All inspectors participated in training on preventing and identifying human trafficking.
Closing Remarks
BAKRI SIDIKI DIABY, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, thanked the delegation for the dialogue, which had been intensive, fruitful, frank and necessary. The questions raised by the Committee aimed to assess progress in the implementation of the Convention to help the Committee to develop recommendations that were helpful to Greece.
IOANNIS GHIKAS, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the dialogue had been intense but constructive, identifying issues that the State party needed to address. Greece was proud of the Greek Committee Expert Stamatia Stavrinaki, who was an excellent representative of the tradition of human rights scholarship in Greece. The strong representation of women in the delegation was a representation of the reality in Greece, where promoting women’s representation was a high priority. The State was proud of the progress it had made since the last review, including in protecting the rights of asylum seekers and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons.
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