Greece: Generalized denial of justice for Roma Date: 10-09-2008
Author: Greek Helsinki Monitor
Greece: Generalized denial of justice for Roma

Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) releases today two letters updated in English it sent to competent authorities extensively documenting that, in Greece, there is generalized denial of justice for Roma. GHM calls on all competent UN Special Procedures, Council of Europe and EU institutions, as well as international NGOs to urge Greek authorities to take effective action to investigate these claims and guarantee that Roma in Greece can expect fair trials or other (quasi-)judicial procedures.  

On 13 August 2008, GHM wrote to the Prosecutor and the President of the Supreme Court (with a copy to the Minister of Justice) listing 39 recent litigation cases on behalf of or against Roma. They indicate that cases against Roma (often resulting from abusive actions of prosecutors) are investigated promptly (and usually end with archival or acquittal), while the investigation of cases concerning serious violations of Roma rights may last for several years and rarely lead to indictments let alone convictions. In some of the latter cases, it was the European Court of Human Rights or the UN Human Rights Committee that ruled for the Roma. GHM, on behalf of the Roma it represents, requested that Greece’s chief Prosecutor takes away the case files from those in charge now and assigns them to one or more top level prosecutors who would have no prior involvement with similar cases so that there is a prompt and effective investigation or trial. GHM also asked for judicial officials responsible for this denial of justice to be sanctioned. The reaction to this letter will be known in the fall, but GHM notes that –perhaps coincidentally- the Prosecutor issued two weeks later a circular on the handling by prosecutors of police brutality (see below).

On 30 April 2008, GHM and Minority Rights Group-Greece submitted to the Economic and Social Committee of Greece (OKE) a report indicating that GHM complaints to the Ombudsman as Equal Treatment Authority concerning Roma were not at all or properly investigated. OKE has a mandate to engage into dialogue with NGOs and all others involved, on the application of Law 3304/2005 that implements the EU’s Race Directives, and publish an annual report. OKE never reacted to the GHM/MRG-G submission and in its subsequent report listed only and totally uncritically the Ombudsman’s alleged –and largely inaccurate- handling of Roma issues.

Police brutality under scrutiny
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100010_27/08/2008_99867

Greece’s top prosecutor instructed his subordinates yesterday to urgently investigate any allegations made to them involving police misbehavior and brutality. In a memo that was sent to all of the country’s prosecutors, Giorgos Sanidas said that following complaints by Greek and foreign human rights organizations about the treatment of some people at the hands of certain officers, he wants a thorough investigation into any complaints that have recently been lodged with judicial authorities.
Although there have not been any specific cases reported in recent weeks, allegations have regularly been made in the past about police mistreating suspects, particularly migrants. Sanidas said that if prosecutors receive notice of complaints, they should immediately arrange for a forensic doctor to examine the complainant and take steps to ensure that anyone who is in any way involved in the incident is questioned as quickly as possible.
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