“I welcome the government’s efforts to combat racism and homophobia in Greece. The 2014 anti-racism law has consolidated the legislative framework and provided useful tools to prosecutors and police officers. However, much more is needed in order to bring this law to life and to further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of justice and law enforcement” said today Nils Muižnieks, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the end of his five-day visit to Greece.
The Commissioner welcomed the prosecution of members, including MPs, of the neo-Nazi party “Golden Dawn” for being members of a criminal organisation but also for their hate speech. “Such action, as well as the government’s positive discourse towards migrants that I have noted, are very important as they send to society a clear signal of zero tolerance towards xenophobia and racism” added Commissioner Muižnieks. Looking forward to a more developed and dissuasive case-law in this field, the Commissioner encouraged the Greek authorities to provide systematic anti-discrimination training to law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges and to collect and analyse hate crime data in a more comprehensive manner. “Greece can usefully draw upon Council of Europe’s relevant rich knowledge and expertise. The authorities should rapidly adopt comprehensive equal treatment legislation to further enhance their legislative arsenal in this area.” (more...)