Human rights and media freedom organizations criticize the EU Commission's Rule of Law Report on Greece
The organizations argue that the report overlooks critical issues related to media freedom and civil society, misleading readers about the true state of these sectors in Greece.
The joint statement highlights the sharp contrast between the report's overly positive tone and the troubling reality experienced by journalists, activists, and civil society organizations on the ground. It suggests that the European Commission's report seems to ignore the discrepancies between the Greek government's self-reported data and the concerning reports submitted by civil society organizations and journalists. The statement criticizes the report for disproportionately focusing on positive developments without adequately addressing broader systemic problems and ongoing violations in Greece.
Particularly concerning to the organizations is the fact that civil society groups and human rights defenders, especially those working on migration issues, face significant obstacles and even criminal charges in Greece. The joint statement notes that the European Commission's report fails to sufficiently address the harmful impact of these deterrent tactics on freedom of expression and association in the country.
The organizations call on the newly appointed European Commission to take a stronger stance in upholding fundamental rights and democratic values within EU Member States. They urge the Commission to publicly condemn instances where press freedom is restricted, civil society is under pressure, or the rule of law is violated, reinforcing its commitment to these principles.
The European Federation of Western Thrace Turks (ABTTF) was among the contributors to the consultation process for the 2024 Rule of Law Report. In its written submission, ABTTF highlighted issues facing the Turkish community in Western Thrace, including Greece's failure to comply with European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings since 2008 concerning the Bekir Usta and Others case group, which deals with the violation of the community's freedom of association.
