U.S. State Department releases 2024 Human Rights Report on Greece
The U.S. Department of State has published its 2024 Country Report on Human Rights Practices, which assesses the state of human rights worldwide on a country-by-country basis. This year’s report on Greece has been shortened considerably in scope, sparking criticism from the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).
Compared to last year’s 46-page report, the new edition is just 16 pages long and omits any reference to the Turkish community in Western Thrace or the challenges it faces. The report concludes that there was “no significant change” in Greece’s overall human rights situation and notes that the government has taken steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish officials accused of abuses.
It highlights constitutional protections for freedom of expression, including for members of the press, and states that the government generally respects these rights. However, it fails to address ongoing concerns over media independence, journalist safety, and the wiretapping scandal. While acknowledging that the government does not censor media, it points out that many major outlets avoid publishing critical news, which humanitarian groups attribute to owner pressure, safety concerns, job insecurity, or fear of criminal defamation charges.
The report briefly addresses freedom of association only in the context of labor rights, affirming workers’ rights to form unions and strike. Issues relating to freedom of religion are excluded, with the State Department directing readers instead to its International Religious Freedom Report.
Reacting to the findings, ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu expressed strong disappointment:
“The content of the U.S. Department of State’s 2024 Greece Country Report on Human Rights Practices is biased, lacks objectivity, and is pro-government, completely disregarding the human rights violations and systematic violations of the rule of law in our country. We are strongly disappointed that this year’s report, which has been significantly narrowed in scope, fails to address the issues and human rights violations facing our community. As in previous years, ABTTF will prepare a parallel report on Greece and present the realities concerning human and minority rights to the relevant U.S. authorities in detail.”
📄 Read the full report here:
https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/greece/
