Rule of law concerns persist in Greece, national human rights body says
The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR/EEDA) has published its annual report on the rule of law, concluding that structural deficiencies affecting judicial independence, human rights protection and democratic governance remained unresolved throughout 2025.
According to the report, many of the commission's findings have also been reflected in the European Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report on Greece.
Among the key concerns identified are the shrinking civic space, legislative initiatives that could criminalize humanitarian activities, persistent delays in implementing decisions by national courts and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and long-standing structural shortcomings within the judicial system.
The report also notes that Greece remains under the enhanced supervision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe regarding the implementation of ECHR judgments in several areas, including police accountability, detention conditions, asylum procedures, freedom of association and the enforcement of domestic court decisions.
The commission further recommended strengthening its institutional independence and resources while urging the Greek authorities to establish a stronger legal and institutional framework for protecting human rights defenders and civil society organizations. It also called for measures to safeguard democratic discourse, address structural deficiencies within the judiciary and ensure media freedom.
ABTTF highlights unimplemented ECHR judgments
Commenting on the report, Halit Habipoğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), said the findings of both the GNCHR and the European Commission demonstrate ongoing concerns regarding the rule of law and judicial independence in Greece.
Habipoğlu argued that Greece continues to systematically undermine the rule of law by failing to execute ECHR judgments issued against the country. He cited the Bekir Usta and Others group of cases—concerning the freedom of association of the Turkish community in Western Thrace—as the clearest example.
According to Habipoğlu, Greece has not implemented the ECHR rulings in the Bekir Usta and Others cases for more than 18 years despite repeated calls from the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. He said the prolonged non-compliance reflects the country's failure to fulfill its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
