Hundreds of complaints filed against Greece at the European Court of Human Rights
Greek prison conditions have led to 1,287 complaints filed with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), expected to be reviewed in early 2025. In response, Greece’s Supreme Court President and Prosecutor have urged judges and prosecutors to expedite case resolutions by the end of December.
ECHR Judge Yannis Ktistakis anticipates Greece will face numerous compensation rulings due to these complaints. European Western Thrace Turkish Federation (ABTTF) President Halit Habipoğlu remarked, "Our country, Greece, has previously been condemned by the ECHR for inhumane prison conditions and forced to compensate applicants. Despite last-minute efforts by the Supreme Court to prevent further cases, these issues are systemic, tied to the erosion of the rule of law."
Habipoğlu emphasized that Western Thrace’s Turkish community knows these challenges well, citing Greece’s 16-year non-compliance with ECHR rulings on local associations’ freedom of organization. He called on the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, which oversees ECHR judgment implementation, to initiate an infringement procedure against Greece for ignoring its obligations under Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
