Greece
Stop the arbitrary investigation
against the Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM)
GHM is under criminal investigation following a complaint filed by a neo-Nazi convicted after a GHM complaint.
The Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM), along with other organizations such as the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece and the Anti-Nazi Initiative, filed a complaint on 30 October 2006 against anti-Semitic articles published on 27 October 2006 and a book entitled “The Jews – the whole truth” published in May 2006 by Kostas Plevris.
Mr. Panayote Dimitras, the GMH’s spokesperson, testified during the trial of Mr. Plevris on 4 December 2007, and he has been the victim of acts of intimidations, verbal violence, and attempt to physical violence.
Today, as a direct consequence of its complaint against Mr. Plevris,the GHM is under judicial criminal investigation as a threat to national security, public safety, and public order and/or for jeopardizing Greece’s international relations.
Following the investigation undertaken against the Greek Helsinki Monitor, the legal affiliation of the Greek authorities as an international NGO could be withdrawn.
The EMHRN is deeply concerned by this investigation, as this could seriously jeopardize the legal existence of the GHM and present an important threat to the exercise of its Freedom of Association. The EMHRN questions the legitimacy of this investigation, which does not provide a solid basis and a list of offenses that could incriminate the GHM, and which rather seems to target GHM’s core activities and integrity.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) strongly condemns all violations of Freedom of Association, as defined by Article 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights1, related to its member organization, the Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM).
Therefore, the EMHRN calls upon the Greek authorities to:
-
immediately cease the arbitrary investigation against the Greek Helsinki Monitor;
-
enable the Greek Helsinki Monitor to carry on its activities in the field of human rights and ensure that its legal status will not be withdrawn;
-
commit towards the creation of an environment ensuring good working conditions to human rights associations which monitor human rights and implement human rights activities in Greece.
