Greece
Anti-discrimination legislation provides for positive measures in order to ensure full equality, but this is hindered by specific social and economic obstacles in almost all fields of social interaction. Differential pay rates, particular difficulties in accessing housing of their choice, evidence of differential enrollment at public schools, limited civic participation, restrictions to the freedom of association and use of minority languages in media are the main problems reported.
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Anti-discrimination Legislation & Implementation
Greece was one of the last countries to transpose the Racial Equality and the Employment Framework Directives into the national legislation in 2005. Even if legislation can now be considered adequate, relatively few are the cases/inquiries brought to the Equality Bodies, and no court cases have been reported.
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Are there specialised bodies/agencies/mechanisms which receive, handle/investigate complaints in discrimination cases?
Yes. There are 3 Equality Bodies, but only one is indpendent and fully operational.
Qualitative Info
There are three Equality Bodies established or mandated by the Law 3304/2005:
The Greek Ombudsman that ensures and monitors the implementation of the abovementioned anti-discrimination law (Law 3304/2005) as concerns: 1) the public sector; b) local and regional authorities; 3) other public bodies, private law corporate entities, enterprises and organizations which are controlled by the state, or by public law entities. It is the only independent (enshrined by the constitution as Parliamentary Ombudsman) and fully operational.
The Labour Inspectorate, which according to the Art. 19 of Law 3304/2005 empowers to ensure equal treatment in employment.
The Committee for Equal Treatment, which is chaired by the Secretary General of the Minister of Justice has been empowered to monitor the implementation of Law 3304/2005 in areas which fall outside the competence of the Ombudsman and the Labour Inspectorate. The Committe has never published any report on its operation, with a large mandate on the private sector, and is considered not to be operational.
Source:
- Hellenic Official Gazette, FEK 16-2205, 27.01.2005, Law 3304/2005, http://nomoi.info/Ν-3304-2005.html, Accessed on 24.2.2013.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
- Persons with disability
Type (R/D)
- Anti-migrant/xenophobia
- Religious intolerance
- Homophobia
- On grounds of disability
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Anti-discrimination
External Url http://www.synigoros.gr/diakriseis/docs/Nomos3304.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Are there mechanisms in place to collect data on racial discrimination in line with data protection legislation as an effective means of, monitoring and reviewing policies and practices to combat racial discrimination and promote racial equality?
Yes. Police Directorates and specially assigned Prosecutor in addition to civil society data collection mechanisms.
Qualitative Info
Since December 2012 a network of 68 competent Police directorates throughout the country and 2 central Departments are assigned the task of collecting data and reporting on racist violence.
The 70 new local/regional Police offices against racist violence announced by the Greek Public order minister started to operate on January 2013. They are staffed by 200 police officers in 68 offices throughout the country + 2 central departments in Athens.
There is also a new countrywide hotline (11414) and an online form for reporting racist crime.
These police offices have been set up on the basis of the PD 132/2012 and they provide a number of services to victims with the clear mandate to combat hate motivate crimes (or incitement to) or actions which may cause discrimination, hate or violence against persons or groups of persons because of their race, colour, religion, ethnic or national origin. Moreover the mandate of these offices is:
- intervene also on own initiative in investigating and persecuting crimes concerning public incitement, provoking or stimulation to the commission of offenses or event acts or actions that can lead to discrimination, hatred or violence against persons or group of persons because of race, skin colour, religion, descent and national or ethnic origin.
- aim at cooperating with civil society and victim organisations and to prevention of RV undertaking or supporting positive initiatives.
- keep a record of incidents investigated.
- inform victims and services who are competent for victims’ support and provides for interpreter if necessary.
- publish an annual report every January.
- provide surveillance of particular areas, with increased risk of racist attacks.Furthermore, the Ombudsman, as Equality Body, collects data on complaints received and issues assessments in its Annual Report. In addition, the RAXEN NFP HLHR-KEMO begun collecting and producing data on racist violence and discrimination in 2007 and i-RED established the first online tool for reporting istances and incidents of racism and discrimination (i-RED Racist Violence & Crime Database) and together with the RAXEN NFP reported data on racist and hate crime in 2011.
Sources:
- Presidential Degree 132/2012 about the creation of departments and offices combating racist violence (11.12.2012), Download pdf
- Pavlou. M & Prearis K., 22.10.2010, RAXEN Thematic Study: Racist and related hate crimes in the EU - Greece, http://www.i-red.eu/?i=institute.en.publications.210, Accessed on 25.1.2013.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
Type (R/D)
- Extremism - organised Racist Violence
- Anti-migrant/xenophobia
- Anti-semitism
- Islamophobia
- Afrophobia
- Arabophobia
- Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
- Religious intolerance
- Inter-ethnic
- Intra-ethnic
- Nationalism
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Policing - law enforcement
- Media
- Internet
- Anti-discrimination
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Does legislation provide for the possibility of adopting special/positive measures prevent or compensate for disadvantages linked to racial or ethnic origin in order to ensure full equality in practice?
Yes
Qualitative Info
Law 3304/2005 provides for positive measures for preventing or counterbalancing disadvantages on grounds of racial or ethnic origin, of religious or other beliefs, disability, age or sexual orientation.
Source:
- Hellenic Official Gazette, FEK 16-2205, 27.01.2005, Law 3304/2005, http://nomoi.info/Ν-3304-2005.html, Accessed on 24.2.2013.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
- Persons with disability
Type (R/D)
- Anti-migrant/xenophobia
- Religious intolerance
- Homophobia
- On grounds of disability
- On grounds of other belief
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Employment - labour market
- Housing
- Health and social protection
- Education
- Anti-discrimination
- Integration - social cohesion
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Are special/positive measures for securing advancement and protection of certain racial or ethnic groups widely adopted and implemented?
Not widely adopted, although there are some cases of positive measures for specific groups (Muslim nationals, Roma)
Qualitative Info
Some positive measures have been adopted for Greek Muslims and Roma in the last years, concerning housing (loan program for Roma) and employment in the public sector (quota for Muslim minority nationals). However, legal provisions have not been implemented efficiently or successfully in most of cases.
Groups affected/interested
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
Type (R/D)
- Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Employment - labour market
- Housing
- Anti-discrimination
- Integration - social cohesion
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Is legal support for victims available from public agencies/bodies? Is there access for victims to assistance and justice?
No
Qualitative Info
Discrimination victims may refer to competent Equality Bodies but they do not enjoy any assistance in court by any public body
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
- Majority
- Asylum seekers
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
- Persons with disability
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Anti-discrimination
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Does the law foresee the shift of the burden of proof in civil / administrative procedures? Are there problems of implementation reported by independent authoritative sources?
Yes, but is hardly implemented
Qualitative Info
According to the HLHR-KEMO/i-RED RAXEN Reports:
As the Ombudsman explains: ‘In many cases, however, despite the fact that there had been confirmation of direct or indirect discrimination, enforcing the relevant provision was possible only by means of analogy. The problem stems from the fact that the crucial act or omission on the part of the public agency involved fell within the scope of its authoritative(‘κυριαρχική διοίκηση’) rather than its public service (‘παροχική διοίκηση’) jurisdiction and/or was beyond the regulatory scope of Statute No 3304/2005. Therefore, it was impossible in many cases to utilize the newly revised provision regarding the shift of burden of proof.’ [1 &2]/
Source:
- The Greek Ombudsman, Equality Body Annual Report 2008, p.2. http://www.synigoros.gr/diakriseis/pdfs_01/8293_1_2008_Annual_Report_on_Discrimination_Law_3304.2005.pdf Cfr. also The Greek Ombudsman, Equality Body Annual Report 2009, p.2. http://www.synigoros.gr/diakriseis/pdfs_01/8654_1_Ekthesi_Diakrisewn_2009_final.pdf.
- Hellenic Official Gazette, FEK 16-2205, 27.01.2005, Law 3304/2005, http://nomoi.info/Ν-3304-2005.html, Accessed on 24.2.2013.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Anti-discrimination
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Can associations, organisations or other legal entities, who have a legitimate interest, engage, either on behalf or in support of the complainant, with his or her approval, in any judicial and/or administrative procedure concerning discrimination?
Yes
Qualitative Info
Legal entities may engage in administrative or judicial proceedings on behalf of discrimination victims only when respect of the equal treatment principle is include in the organisations satute scopes. (art.13 of law n.3304/2005).
Source:
- Hellenic Official Gazette, FEK 16-2205, 27.01.2005, Law 3304/2005, http://nomoi.info/Ν-3304-2005.html, Accessed on 24.2.2013.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
- Majority
- Asylum seekers
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
- Persons with disability
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Anti-discrimination
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Is class action or actio popularis possible? (court claims or action in the name of a group)
No
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
- Majority
- Asylum seekers
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
- Persons with disability
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Anti-discrimination
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Is there provision within anti-discrimination legislation/practice forfinancial compensation/restitution of rights and are these applied in practice?
No
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Anti-discrimination
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Are there any problems concerning the implementation of national legislation prohibiting discrimination?
Yes
Qualitative Info
Various independent and authoritative sources report that the anti-discrimination legislation faces problems of implementation in Greece, which may be summarised as follows:
- lack of independence or not operational status of all Equality Bodies.
- low number of cases submitted to the only operational and independent Equality Body: The Greek Ombudsman, most of which are pending for many years.
- no court cases reported.
Source: Greek RAXEN NFP reports, 2006-2010.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
- Majority
- Asylum seekers
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
- Persons with disability
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Employment - labour market
- Housing
- Health and social protection
- Education
- Anti-discrimination
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Has there been a thorough evaluation/assessment of the effectiveness of the national implementation of EU Anti-discrimination Directives?
No
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Anti-discrimination
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Are there specialised bodies/agencies/mechanisms which receive, handle/investigate complaints in discrimination cases?
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Employment
Crisis seems to affect significantly migrants; unemployment among migrants has exceeded the unemployment rate of general workforce for the first time in 2009. In addition, migrants receive lower wages than native Greeks and they are excluded from public sector, since employment in the latter is limited to Greeks and EU nationals.
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Legal restrictions and/or effective practices of exclusion of migrants regarding membership of and participation in trade unions
No legal restrictions.
Qualitative Info
Nevertheless, the fact that large numbers of migrants are working in sectors where precarious or even undeclared labour, e.g. domestic workers, is dominant explains the low numbers of unionised migrant workers.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Employment - labour market
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Legal obstacles to access employment in the public sector under equal conditions for migrants
Yes
Qualitative Info
Employment to the public sector is restricted to national and in some cases and under certain conditions to EU nationals. In no case, third country nationals can have access to employment in public sector.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Employment - labour market
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Legal restrictions and/or effective practices of exclusion of minorities regarding membership of and participation in trade unions
No.
Groups affected/interested
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Employment - labour market
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Does the law provides for legalizing the situation of illegal immigrants in order to ensure their right to work and access to social protection and care?
No.
Qualitative Info
There have been implemented three regularisation programmes (1998,2001 and 2005) for illegal migrants who could prove their residence in the country. There is no such provision in current legislation.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Employment - labour market
- Health and social protection
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Are there examples of good practices and positive initiatives against discrimination/racism at the workplace?
Yes, but with doubtful results.
Qualitative Info
ECRI in its September 2009 report expressed its concern regarding a positive measure introduced by law 3647/08 in 2008 provided a quota for members of the Muslim minority in the civil service. ECRI notes that ‘it does not appear that measures have been taken to implement this quota. A comprehensive long-term programme has not yet been established by the authorities to improve the integration of Muslims from Western Thrace into the labour market. Reports indicate that they continue to be under-represented in the public sector and state owned corporations.’
Groups affected/interested
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Employment - labour market
- Anti-discrimination
External Url http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/Country-by-country/Greece/GRC-CbC-IV-2009-031-ENG.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history
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Legal restrictions and/or effective practices of exclusion of migrants regarding membership of and participation in trade unions
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Housing & Segregation
The most highly segregated social group are Roma, who face unresolved problems with their housing conditions. Tendencies of polarisation among ethnic groups and majority population in inner-cities, particularly in Athens, are observed combined with gentrification strategies and severe urban decay.
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Is there evidence of particular difficulties faced by migrant/minority groups in purchasing or renting property of their choice?
Yes; difficulties exist at the social, not legal level.
Qualitative Info
According to studies, difficulties in purchasing or renting property still exist among migrants.
See among others: Drydakis, N. (2011), "Ethnic Discrimination in the Greek Housing Market", Journal of Population Economics, 24(4), 1235-1255.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Type (R/D)
- Anti-migrant/xenophobia
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Housing
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Affected group with particular difficulties in purchasing or renting property of own choice
Migrants and refugees.
Groups Migrants and refugeesQualitative Info
According to studies, difficulties in purchasing or renting property still exist among migrants.
See among others: Drydakis, N. (2011), "Ethnic Discrimination in the Greek Housing Market", Journal of Population Economics, 24(4), 1235-1255.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Type (R/D)
- Anti-migrant/xenophobia
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Housing
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Are there positive initiatives with an impact on housing of migrant and minority groups?
Yes.
Initiatives Housing loan schemeQualitative Info
Roma have been provided with a specific housing loan scheme, but according to the Fourth ECRI report on Greece, "although the authorities have indicated that it is evaluated, reports indicate that there may have been irregularities in the implementation of this scheme, such as loans not being provided to the intended beneficiaries."
Groups affected/interested
- Roma & Travelers
Type (R/D)
- Anti-roma/ romaphobia
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Housing
External Url http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/Country-by-country/Greece/GRC-CbC-IV-2009-031-ENG.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history
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Is there evidence of particular difficulties faced by migrant/minority groups in purchasing or renting property of their choice?
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Education
The ethnic group that encounters the most severe problems in th efield of education (segregation, poor performance, high drop-out rates) are Roma. Migrant children's participation is school is steadily increasing in relation to the total student population. Nevertheless, and despite numerous projects and significant production of educational material, curriculum remains essentially monocultural at all levels of education.
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Practical obstacles and evidence of problems and differential enrollment rates for certain minorities?
Yes
Data No data availableQualitative Info
As noted in the ECRI report the main problem remains the access of Roma children to education: ‘Roma remain at a great disadvantage with regard to education. There are still cases of schools refusing to register Roma children for attendance, in some instances due to pressure by some non-Roma parents.'
The UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed in its 2009 report its concern about the alleged limited access to quality minority education for the Turkish speaking minority in Western Thrace. The CERD recommended that ‘the State party improve the quality of education for the vulnerable ethnic groups and the Muslim minority, including through the training of teachers belonging to these groups, to ensure that there is a sufficient number of secondary schools, and to create pre-schools that teach in the mother tongue of their students’
Groups affected/interested
- Roma & Travelers
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
Type (R/D)
- Nationalism
- Anti-roma/ romaphobia
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Education
-
Practical obstacles and evidence of problems and differential enrollment rates for migrants?
No.
Data No data availableQualitative Info
In general, education is one of the fields where access for migrant children is not restricted. Problems, such as language and higher drop-out rate, exist but enrollment rates are not significantly differentiated from those of Greek
parents' children.Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Education
External Url http://hudoc.ecri.coe.int/XMLEcri/ENGLISH/Cycle_04/04_CbC_eng/GRC-CbC-IV-2009-031-ENG.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Poorer educational performance by certain groups?
Yes.
Qualitative Info
Roma children and children of Muslim minority in Western Thrace demonstrate a significantly poorer educational performance.
As far as migrant children are concerned, unequal performance is less significant. As the following table shows, differences in grades between secondary education students from Albania and from Greece, were not significantly large.
Country of birth
2nd junior high-school
3rd junior high-school
1st high school
2nd high school
3rd high school
Albania
14
13,9
15,3
13,6
12,2
Greece
14,6
15,2
15,5
12,6
11,1
Source: Gotovos, A. & Marcou, G. (2004), Repatriated and foreign students in Greek education, Athens: IPODE.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Education
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Problems with educational attainement by certain groups (drop out - fragmentation of educational experience)?
Yes.
Qualitative Info
According to the 4th ECRI report on Greece, "as the Greek authorities have pointed out themselves, and the Ombudsman has confirmed, there is a very high drop-out rate among Roma pupils."
ECRI also notes with concern, as acknowledged by the authorities themselves, that there is a 12% drop-out rate among Pomak (part of the Muslim minority of Western Thrace) children.
Groups affected/interested
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Education
External Url http://hudoc.ecri.coe.int/XMLEcri/ENGLISH/Cycle_04/04_CbC_eng/GRC-CbC-IV-2009-031-ENG.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Are there positive initiatives to improve/support poor educational provision for migrant and minority groups?
Yes.
Qualitative Info
The Integrated Action Programme for the social integration of Roma launched in 2002 includes education as one of its goals. However, more measures appear to be necessary, inter alia, within the framework of this programme to address the problems faced by Roma in education. An Inter-Ministerial Committee within the Ministry of Interior coordinates the activities of all relevant ministries in the implementation of the Integrated Action Programme for the social integration of Roma.
The Greek authorities continue to implement the four-phase project entitled “Education of Muslim Children”, the last phase being implemented from 2010 to 2013. Within this project books for students and for teachers used in the Greek-speaking programme in minority primary schools have been produced. In addition, in the 2007-2008 school year, the Greek authorities introduced Turkish as a second language, as an optional subject, in high schools.
As far as initiatives for the support of migrant students, reception classes and support classes in primary and secondary education have been established since 1999 (Ministerial Decision 10/20/Γ1/708/7-9-1999). From 1996 (Law 2413/1996) a legislative framework for intercultural education has been established. So far, there are in Greece only 26 Intercultural schools, of which 13 are primary schools, 9 junior high schools and 4 are senior high schools, and the curriculum is not substantially different from the mainstream one (see Halkias, A., Parsanoglou D. and Golfinopoulos, Y. (2011) "Girls of Migrant Background in Greece: Conflicting Loyalties and Troubling Hierarchies", in The Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS), Young Nigrant Women in Secondary Education: Promoting Integration and Mutual Understanding through Dialogue and Exchange, University of Nicosia Press).
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
Type (R/D)
- Anti-migrant/xenophobia
- Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
- Religious intolerance
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Education
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Victimisation in schools (bullying/harassment/racist violence) ?
Bullying and harassment are wide-spread phenomena; only partially vistims concern migrants and minorities.
Qualitative Info
Although epidemiological studies in Greece have shown that 1 in 10 school-age children have been exposed systematically to bullying acts (Deligianni-Kouimtzi, 2005, Gender identities, national identities and school violence-investigating the violence and victimization in the school setting. Intermediate report of the Pythagras Program, Period 1/3/2004-31/3/2005), ethnic or religious background does not seem to be a significant factor of victimisation in schools.
Nevertheless, local and national media reported a low number of cases of discrimination and intolerance of Greek pupils’ parents against school children of migrant parents. One case regarded the refusal of Greek parents to accept that an Albanian pupil carried the Greek flag at the school parade in the occasion of the national festivity of March 2009.[1] Another case concerned a violent incident against migrant children in the classroom of the 1st Elementary chool of Agios Stefanos (Attica, wider Athens area). According to the Association of Teachers of Eastern Attica ‘Socrates’ on 6.2.2009 Greek parents have assaulted and beaten migrant children threatining and insulting teachers who tried to intervene defending them. The aggressors returned to the school in the afternoon of the same day accompanied by self-identified police officer demanding from the school director access to personal data of the victims. The teacher’s association filed a lawsuit.[2]
For more, see Pavlou M. - Prearis K. (2010), RAXEN Thematic Study: Racist and related hate crimes in the EU - Greece
[1] Eleftherotipia, Παρέλαση, Λάβαρα και τερτίπια, (11.03.2009), http://www.enet.gr/?i=news.el.article&id=24835 , respentza blogspot (04.03.2009), http://respentza.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-post_9528.html
[2] Rizospastis, Γονείς ξυλοκόπησαν παιδιά μεταναστών! (11.03.2009), http://www1.rizospastis.gr/story.do?id=4988837&text
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
Type (R/D)
- Anti-migrant/xenophobia
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Education
External Url http://www.i-red.eu/resources/publications-files/raxen-ts-2010_racist-hate-crimes-in-greece.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Provision of option to learn mother language other than the majority's
In the case of children with migrant background, only outside the curriculum thanks to initiative of teachers.
In the case of the oficially recognised Muslim minority in Western Thrace, yes.
Qualitative Info
According to the migration legislation in force, optional teaching of mother tongue and culture may be provided to a specific school upon the condition of a high number of interested pupils and after a decision of the Minister of National Education & Religions.[1] Nevertheless, despite the provision for intercultural education, special lessons of mother tongue, culture and religion for immigrant pupils have not been put to practice, although the migrant associations have raised such claims through formal applications.[2] A good practice performed by the teachers of the 132 elementary School of Athens on their own initiative was de facto paused by the new director appointed by the Ministry of Education causing tensions and the Greek Ombudsman unsuccassful and unresponded intervention.[3]
In the case of Muslim minority in Western Thrace, textbooks and courses are also held in Turkish language.
[1] Law n.3386/2005, art.72.4.
[2] As provided by art.35 of law n.2413/1996 and art.72.4 of law n.3386/2005 and noted by the Greek National Commission for Human Rights in its observations on the Report of the Foreign Affairs Ministry about the application of the International Convention for the Elimination of any Form of Racial Discrimination. (14.2.2008)
[3] More information is found on the school’s site created by pupils and teachers of the 132 elementary school of Athens: http://www.132grava.net
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Ethnic minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Education
External Url http://www.i-red.eu/resources/publications-files/raxen-ts-2010_racist-hate-crimes-in-greece.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Evidence of modifying school curricula and teaching materials can be modified to reflect the diversity of the school population
There has been production of educational material that takes into account the diversity of school population, but official curriculum remains essentially monocultural.
Qualitative Info
Educational material has been produced through several research projects concerning immigrant students and cultural diversity issues took place in the framework of the Operational Programme for Educational and Initial Vocational Training (ΕΠΕΑΕΚ), such as the «Integration of Roma children in School» (University of Ioannina, http://projects.rc.uoi.gr/projects/?lang=el&keID=18), the «Education of Repatriated Greek and Foreign Students» (University of Athens, www.keda.gr), and the «Education of Muslim children» (University of Athens, http://www.museduc.gr/index.php). Nevertheless, curriculum remains essentially monocultural; even in intercultural schools curriculum and educational material is the same with mainstream schools.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Ethnic minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Education
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Are there in schools good practices/positive initiatives and intercultural coexistence plans designed to solve problems of discrimination racism or xenophobia?
Yes.
Qualitative Info
Apart from some well-known cases, such as the 132 Elementary school of Athens where teachers are providing on their own initiative additional courses to migrant pupils and parents,[1] other good practices are performed on a temporary basis in schools throughout the country.
In the framework of the project
coordinated by i-red, 125 different actions implemented in schools throughout the country have been documented. For more, see: Action Plan against racism & discrimination and pro diversity at Greek schools, Deliverable 1: Documentation of organised actions and material for the elimination of discriminations in Greek schools, i-red, 2011.[1] More information is found on the school’s site created by pupils and teachers of the 132 elementary school of Athens: http://www.132grava.net
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Persons with disability
- National minorities
Type (R/D)
- Anti-migrant/xenophobia
- Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
- Religious intolerance
- On grounds of disability
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Education
External Url http://www.i-red.eu/resources/projects-files/p1-katagrafh-drasewn-kai-ylikoy-sta-ellhnika-sxoleia.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Is the teacher regular curricula/training dealing with specific reference to immigrants or ethnic minorities and respect/promotion of diversity?
Yes.
Qualitative Info
There are several training programmes for teachers, funded by EU and by national institutions, with specific reference to respect of diversity and promotion of intercultural education. One of the main axes in the Training Guidelines of the Organisation of Teachers' Training (OEPEK), refers to the 'Management of the diversity of school population (differential teaching, learning difficulties, psycho-social differentiations among children and adolescents, intercultural education)".
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
- Persons with disability
Type (R/D)
- Anti-migrant/xenophobia
- Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
- Religious intolerance
- On grounds of disability
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Education
-
Practical obstacles and evidence of problems and differential enrollment rates for certain minorities?
-
Health And Social Protection
Migrants and minorities, in particular Roma, demonstrate higher morbidity rates, especially when it comes to specific diseases, such as tuberculosis and AIDS. Difficulties noted with regard to access to health services concern legal restrictions imposed against undocumented migrants (not implemented by medical staff), language barriers, lack of information, high rates of lack of health insurance.
-
Is there evidence of increased morbidity rates for minority and migrant groups?
Yes, for some diseases, such as tuberculosis and AIDS.
Qualitative Info
For some diseases, such as tuberculosis, "although the total number of newly detected cases of TB has declined, cases among immigrants are increasing."
See among others, Papaventsis D, Nikolaou S, Karabela S, Ioannidis P, Konstantinidou E, Marinou I, Sainti A, Kanavaki S. (2010), "Tuberculosis in Greece: bacteriologically confirmed cases and anti-tuberculosis drug resistance, 1995-2009", Eurosurveillance, 15(28).
For the case of AIDS/HIV, see: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) (2010), Migrant health: Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS in migrant communities and ethnic minorities in EU/EEA countries, Stockholm, revised edition.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Health and social protection
-
Specific health issues such as diseases specific to particular groups
No data available, apart from some diseases more recurrent among migrant population, such as tuberculosis.
Qualitative Info
No data available, apart from some diseases more recurrent among migrant population, such as tuberculosis.
Papaventsis D, Nikolaou S, Karabela S, Ioannidis P, Konstantinidou E, Marinou I, Sainti A, Kanavaki S. Tuberculosis in Greece: bacteriologically confirmed cases and anti-tuberculosis drug resistance, 1995-2009. Euro Surveill. 2010;15(28):pii=19614. Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19614
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Health and social protection
External Url http://www.eurosurveillance.org/images/dynamic/EE/V15N28/art19614.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Differential access to social protection system and benefits - Do some or more categories of migrants minorities or stateless/non-citizens face limitations and restrictions?
Yes.
Qualitative Info
As the ECRI noted in its most recent 2009 report, public hospital staff are obliged by law to refuse medical treatment to irregular immigrants except in emergencies and to minor children. In practice medical staff and their associations refuse to implement such provision as being against the rights of the patient and the Hippocratic Oath. Nevertheless, the NCHR and ECRI have urged the authorities to repeal this provision and to avoid any discriminatory practices. In particular the ECRI noted with concern the ‘reports indicating lacunae in the imparting of information on their rights and in the availability of translation services, as well as reports of stereotypes and discrimination against immigrants in the health services’.
Lack of relevant information or of access to information, due to language difficulties, limits immigrants' knowledge of procedures and excludes them from the use of certain benefits and rights to which they might be entitled. A 2007 survey by the Medecins du Monde European Observatory on Access to Health Care No papers? No Health? also demonstrated that obstacles to health care access are widespread in Greece. Data from Greece was collected for 112 undocumented migrants visiting two reception and treatment polyclinics of Medecins du Monde in Athens and Thessaloniki. In a question concerning the awareness of HIV screening services, 83.7% of the people questioned answered that they are not aware of their right to access such services. This is by far the highest proportion of uninformed migrants compared to the other 8 European countries surveyed.Legally residing and employed migrants with regular social security status are entitled to access to health services and provisions under equal status with Greek citizens. However, migrants that are not covered by a social security program (e.g. unemployed, unsecured, with a low income) are not entitled to the social protection provisions which grant free health care and medical coverage, preserved exclusively to Greeks and ethnic Greek immigrants (‘repatriated’ and ‘homogenis’). As the MIGHEALTHNET notes 'given the spread of informal employment arrangements many legally residing immigrants are deprived of social security and hence access to healthcare. Moreover, access to health care services is gravelly hindered by long delays (up to 6 months) in the renewal of residence and work permits, depriving them from social insurance and consequently from free access to the health care system.'
Undocumented migrants in Greece are only entitled to access to hospital emergency rooms for the treatment of life-threatening conditions. The only exception is for foreign patients with HIV or other infectious diseases, who can benefit from free medical care and hospital admission, provided that the appropriate treatment is not available in their country of origin. Asylum seekers are also entitled to the same access to health care as Greeks. However, prior to obtaining an asylum seeker's status they are only entitled to emergency care under life-threatening conditions, like undocumented migrants.
Sources:
ECRI Report on Greece, Fourth Monitoring Cycle, (15.09.2009), http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/Country-by-country/Greece/GRC-CbC-IV-2009-031-ENG.pdf:
European survey on undocumented migrant's access to health care http://www.medecinsdumonde.org/gb/content/download/4518/36169/file/rapport_observatoire_english.pdf
MIGHEALTHNET, National Capodistrian University of Athens, Έκθεση για την υγεία των μεταναστών στην Ελλάδα, (03.2009), http://www.mighealth.net/el/index.php/, english summary: http://www.mighealth.net/el/images/f/f7/Greek_State_of_the_Art_Report_-_English_Summary.pdf Data collected by the MIGHEALTHNET, information network on good practice in health care for migrants and minorities in Europe, Greek wiki, http://www.mighealth.net/el/index.php/
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Health and social protection
-
Do migrants have a higher risk of poverty than the rest of the population?
Yes.
Qualitative Info
Taking inot account that migrants show higher rates in unemployment, lower payment rates and higher rates in non declared and unsecured employment, the risk of poverty for them is higher than for the rest of population.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Asylum seekers
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Employment - labour market
- Health and social protection
-
Are there policies and/or good practices accomodating culture/ traditions' respect in health care
Only partially.
Qualitative Info
Socio-Medical Centres provide basic health care services such as preventive medicine, primary health and social care, vaccination, support services and vocational counselling in Roma settlements. A total of 32 such centres have been established in as many municipalities and are co-financed by the European Union Social Fund and the state budget.
As the MIGHEALTHNET report points out in Greece the examples of best practice in health care services addressing migrants are very few: ‘In the National Health System no intercultural services, information in other languages, except Greek, and interpretation services are available. Isolated examples of best practice mainly refer to practices and projects of NGOs offering health care services and psychosocial support to undocumented migrants, refugees and minorities.’
There are a number of NGO and EU-funded initiatives by the Doctors of the World, PRAKSIS, Greek Council for Refugees, Hellenic Red Cross and Medécins Sans Frontières active in providing health care services, counseling and information on welfare, and psychosocial support to undocumented migrants, refugees and minorities. Two of the NGOs (Hellenic Red Cross and Medécins Sans Frontières) run health units (polyclinics) in Athens, Thessaloniki and Crete providing free primary health care services, medication and psychosocial support to people who do not have access to the National Health System, primarily undocumented migrants and rejected asylum seekers. The Greek Council for Refugees and the Hellenic Red Cross provide councelling services and psychosocial support at refugee camps. Some of the organisations use interpretation services however this is not a universal practice.Sources:
Pavlou M. - Prearis K. (2010), RAXEN Thematic Study: Racist and related hate crimes in the EU - Greece, HLHR-KEMO/i-RED. available on http://www.i-red.eu/?i=institute.en.publications.210
MIGHEALTHNET, National Capodistrian University of Athens, Έκθεση για την υγεία των μεταναστών στην Ελλάδα, (03.2009), http://www.mighealth.net/el/index.php/, english summary: http://www.mighealth.net/el/images/f/f7/Greek_State_of_the_Art_Report_-_English_Summary.pdf
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Health and social protection
-
Is there evidence of increased morbidity rates for minority and migrant groups?
-
Political & Civic Participation
Greece until recently had a very poor record in the promotion of political and civic participation of migrants. With the Law 3838/2010, holders of long-term and indefinite duration residence permits are entitled to participate in the local elections (having the right to be elected as councelors, but not as mayors).
-
Migrants' political rights - right to vote to national/local elections
Yes, in local (municipal) elections.
However, the 5.2.2013 decision of Council of State declared unconstitutional the 2010 Citizenship Law (3838/2010) and a new law is expected to be voted on this matter.
Qualitative Info
The Law 3838/2010 (Chapter B', Art. 14) provided the right to vote in municipal elections to long-term migrants and political refugees. They can be candidates for municipal councils, but not for mayors or presidents of municipal or local councils (Art. 17).
However, the 5.2.2013 decision of Council of State declared unconstitutional the 2010 Citizenship Law (3838/2010) and a new law is expected to be voted on this matter.
Source:
- Government Gazette, 24.03.2010, Νόμος 3838/2010 'Σύγχρονες διατάξεις για την Ελληνική Ιθαγένεια και την πολιτική συμμετοχή ομογενών και νομίμως διαμενόντων μεταναστών και άλλες ρυθμίσεις (Law 3838/2010 'Current provisions for Greek citizenship and political participation of repatriated Greeks and lawfully resident immigrants and other adjustments), http://www.red-network.eu/resources/toolip/doc/2012/11/23/greek-citizenship-law-n-38382010.pdf, Accessed 7.2.2013.
- GRReporter, 6.2.2013, The Supreme Court cancels the law on the acquisition of Greek citizenship, http://www.grreporter.info/en/supreme_court_cancels_law_acquisition_greek_citizenship/8683, Accessed on 7.2.2013.
- Lawnet, 6.12.2012, Παράνομη η αναστολή του νόμου περί ιθαγένειας, σύμφωνα με τον Συνήγορο του Πολίτη (Illegal suspension of the law on citizenship, according to the Ombudsman), http://www.lawnet.gr/news/paranomi-i-anastoli-tou-nomou-peri-i8ageneias-sumfona-me-ton-sunigoro-tou-politi-28172.html, Accessed on 24.2.2013.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Political participation
External Url http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/24e0c302-6021-4a6b-b7e4-8259e281e5f3/N_3838_1.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Outreach - encourage participation - Practical obstacles or problems for migrants in exercising their right to vote
Yes, there were practical obstacles in 2010 elections.
Qualitative Info
Only 12.762, out of approximately 190.000 entitled to, migrants and refugees were registered with the special electoral rolls provided by the Art. 18 of teh Law 3838/2010. Main problems invoked: lack of information; tight deadlines for the enrollement; bureaucracy.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Political participation
External Url http://www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=22768&subid=2&pubid=28546962
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Migrants have the right to stand for elections at local/national level?
Yes; only at the local level.
However, the 5.2.2013 decision of Council of State declared unconstitutional the 2010 Citizenship Law (3838/2010) and a new law is expected to be voted on this matter.
Data Very few, e.g. in Athens municipality less than 10Qualitative Info
Only for municipal and local counselors, not for mayors or presidents of local councils (Law 3838/2010, Art. 17)
However, the 5.2.2013 decision of Council of State declared unconstitutional the 2010 Citizenship Law (3838/2010) and a new law is expected to be voted on this matter.
Source:
- Government Gazette, 24.03.2010, Νόμος 3838/2010 'Σύγχρονες διατάξεις για την Ελληνική Ιθαγένεια και την πολιτική συμμετοχή ομογενών και νομίμως διαμενόντων μεταναστών και άλλες ρυθμίσεις (Law 3838/2010 'Current provisions for Greek citizenship and political participation of repatriated Greeks and lawfully resident immigrants and other adjustments), http://www.red-network.eu/resources/toolip/doc/2012/11/23/greek-citizenship-law-n-38382010.pdf, Accessed 7.2.2013.
- GRReporter, 6.2.2013, The Supreme Court cancels the law on the acquisition of Greek citizenship, http://www.grreporter.info/en/supreme_court_cancels_law_acquisition_greek_citizenship/8683, Accessed on 7.2.2013.
- Lawnet, 6.12.2012, Παράνομη η αναστολή του νόμου περί ιθαγένειας, σύμφωνα με τον Συνήγορο του Πολίτη (Illegal suspension of the law on citizenship, according to the Ombudsman), http://www.lawnet.gr/news/paranomi-i-anastoli-tou-nomou-peri-i8ageneias-sumfona-me-ton-sunigoro-tou-politi-28172.html, Accessed on 24.2.2013.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Political participation
External Url http://www.protagon.gr/?i=protagon.el.article&id=3927
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Minority members have certain rights to self-government?
Only partially.
Qualitative Info
The religious leaders (Mufti) of the officially recognised 'Muslim minority in Thrace' (north-east of the country), who are appointed by the Greek state and not elected, have certain jurisdiction on matters of family and heritage law.
Groups affected/interested
- Muslims
- Religious minorities
-
Are migrants' representatives engaged in any formal consultation with public authorities?
Yes, at the local level.
Qualitative Info
The Law 3536/2007 provided for the establishment of a National Committee for the Integration of Migrants, but no representatives of migrants would participate (Art. 1.2).
By the Art. 78 of the Law 3852/2010 (called Plan Kallikrates for the local government), in each municiaplity a Council for the Integration of Migrants is established with the participation of 5-11 members, among whom representatives of migrants.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Political participation
-
Are there migrants' consultative/advisory/representative bodies established by law?
Yes, at the local level.
Qualitative Info
By the Art. 78 of the Law 3852/2010 (called Plan Kallikrates for the local government), in each municiaplity a Council for the Integration of Migrants is established with the participation of 5-11 members, among whom representatives of migrants.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Political participation
- Integration - social cohesion
External Url http://www.eetaa.gr/kallikratis/nomosxedio/Nomos_3852_2010.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Public administration (including judiciary and executive) reflects the ethnic diversity of society?
No.
Qualitative Info
Although there is no data vailable, third country nationals are excluded from employment in the public sector, while minorities are underrepresented.
Groups affected/interested
- Ethnic minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Employment - labour market
-
Is there automatic citizenship acquisition by birth for migrant children born in the country?
Yes, under conditions. However, the 5.2.2013 decision of Council of State declared unconstitutional the 2010 Citizenship Law. "As a result of the final decision of the plenum of the supreme judicial institution, all procedures granting Greek citizenship after the enactment of the law in 2010 until today are expected to be cancelled" in view of a new law on this matter.
Qualitative Info
Law 3838/2010 (Art. 1A.1) stipulates that a child of migrants' who have been living legally in the country for the last five years is entitled to citizenship acquisition by birth [1].
However, the 5.2.2013 decision of Council of State declared unconstitutional the 2010 Citizenship Law. "As a result of the final decision of the plenum of the supreme judicial institution, all procedures granting Greek citizenship after the enactment of the law in 2010 until today are expected to be cancelled. The law entitled the children of immigrants who were born in Greece and studied at a Greek school for six years to Greek citizenship. Along with this, the results of local elections in the municipalities where immigrants from non-member countries of the European Union voted are likely to be revised under the same law again. In the reasoning for its decision, the senior judiciary states that the provisions of the law are contrary to the Constitution because the conditions for the acquisition of Greek citizenship regulated by them are formal and insufficient. They are related to the applicant or his family’s time of residence in Greece, the attendance of a Greek school for a certain period of time and a clean criminal record. According to the Supreme Administrative Court, the most significant gap in the law is that it does not provide for a procedure to demonstrate the relationship of the applicant with the Greek nation. Furthermore, the magistrates add that the Constitution entitles only Greek citizens to vote and run in elections. Therefore, it is not possible for people who are not Greek citizens to be entitled to it without making the relevant amendments being made to the Constitution." [2 & 3]
Source:
- Government Gazette, 24.03.2010, Νόμος 3838/2010 'Σύγχρονες διατάξεις για την Ελληνική Ιθαγένεια και την πολιτική συμμετοχή ομογενών και νομίμως διαμενόντων μεταναστών και άλλες ρυθμίσεις (Law 3838/2010 'Current provisions for Greek citizenship and political participation of repatriated Greeks and lawfully resident immigrants and other adjustments), http://www.red-network.eu/resources/toolip/doc/2012/11/23/greek-citizenship-law-n-38382010.pdf, Accessed 7.2.2013.
- GRReporter, 6.2.2013, The Supreme Court cancels the law on the acquisition of Greek citizenship, http://www.grreporter.info/en/supreme_court_cancels_law_acquisition_greek_citizenship/8683, Accessed on 7.2.2013.
- Lawnet, 6.12.2012, Παράνομη η αναστολή του νόμου περί ιθαγένειας, σύμφωνα με τον Συνήγορο του Πολίτη (Illegal suspension of the law on citizenship, according to the Ombudsman), http://www.lawnet.gr/news/paranomi-i-anastoli-tou-nomou-peri-i8ageneias-sumfona-me-ton-sunigoro-tou-politi-28172.html, Accessed on 24.2.2013.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Political participation
- Integration - social cohesion
External Url http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/24e0c302-6021-4a6b-b7e4-8259e281e5f3/N_3838_1.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history -
What is the general law provision for naturalisation?
The main requirement is 7 years of legal stay in the country.
However, the 5.2.2013 decision of Council of State declared unconstitutional the 2010 Citizenship Law (3838/2010) and a new law is expected to be voted on this matter.
Data Seven years; for political refugees, 3 yearsQualitative Info
According to Article 2 of the Law 3838/2010, the article 5 of the Nationality Code has been amended. The conditions for naturalisation, apart from the minimum legal stay, require that the candidate should not have been condemned for a series of crimes, should not be under deportation proceedings, and he/she should hold a long duration title of residence, such as long-term residence permit, residence permit for family members of EU citizen, recognised political refugee etc.
However, the 5.2.2013 decision of Council of State declared unconstitutional the 2010 Citizenship Law (3838/2010) and a new law is expected to be voted on this matter.
Source:
- Government Gazette, 24.03.2010, Νόμος 3838/2010 'Σύγχρονες διατάξεις για την Ελληνική Ιθαγένεια και την πολιτική συμμετοχή ομογενών και νομίμως διαμενόντων μεταναστών και άλλες ρυθμίσεις (Law 3838/2010 'Current provisions for Greek citizenship and political participation of repatriated Greeks and lawfully resident immigrants and other adjustments), http://www.red-network.eu/resources/toolip/doc/2012/11/23/greek-citizenship-law-n-38382010.pdf, Accessed 7.2.2013.
- GRReporter, 6.2.2013, The Supreme Court cancels the law on the acquisition of Greek citizenship, http://www.grreporter.info/en/supreme_court_cancels_law_acquisition_greek_citizenship/8683, Accessed on 7.2.2013.
- Lawnet, 6.12.2012, Παράνομη η αναστολή του νόμου περί ιθαγένειας, σύμφωνα με τον Συνήγορο του Πολίτη (Illegal suspension of the law on citizenship, according to the Ombudsman), http://www.lawnet.gr/news/paranomi-i-anastoli-tou-nomou-peri-i8ageneias-sumfona-me-ton-sunigoro-tou-politi-28172.html, Accessed on 24.2.2013.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Political participation
- Integration - social cohesion
External Url http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/24e0c302-6021-4a6b-b7e4-8259e281e5f3/N_3838_1.pdf
See other countriesSee indicator history
-
Migrants' political rights - right to vote to national/local elections
-
Policies On Integration - Cohesion
Greece until recently had a very poor record in political and civic participation of migrants. With the Law 3838/2010, holders of long-term and indefinite duration residence permits are entitled to participate in the local elections. Another positive step has been the establishment by law in each municipality of the Local Councils for the Integration (Law 3852/2010). Nationality Code has also been amended through Law 3838/2010 towards a more jus soli direction.
-
Is there a formal national strategy on the integration of migrants/minorities?
Yes.
Qualitative Info
The "Integrated Action Plan for the Regular Adjustment and Social Integration of Third country Nationals who reside legally in the Greek Territory" (Programme HESTIA) took shape through the Common Ministerial Decision KYA 25057/2008, specifying the objectives, the structure, the procedure and the institutions that will implement integration policy. In November 2011, the Integrated action Plan was amended by the General Secretariat of Population & Social Cohesion and formed the National Strategy for the Integration of Third Country Nationals.
The National Strategy includes the following specific axes comprised of more specific actions:
- Information-Services (welcoming courses, information campaigns, access to social services, training of civil servants, networking)
- Education-Greek Language
- Employment/Vocational Training (employment insertion, promotion of enterpreneurship, vocational training)
- Health
- Housing and Quality of life
- Civic participation (voting rights, local councils of migrants' integration, migrant associations-NGOs, citizenship)
- Promotion of the Equal treatment principle (combatting discriminations, awareness-raising against racist phenomena)
- Interculturalism (intercultural dialogue, interfaith dialogue, artistic/cultural, sportive activities)
- Tergeted social groups (women, children - young - second generation migrants, elderly, disabled persons)
- Design and evaluation of social integration projects
For more information, see European Integration Fund in Greece (http://ete.ypes.gr/index.html)
An Integrated Action Plan for the Social Integration of Greek Roma was also enacted in 2001, aiming at the amelioration of housing conditions and at the improvement of access to services.
For more, see: Pavlou M., Lykovardi K., Hormovitis D., Prokopi I. (2009), Housing Conditions of Roma in Greece. Vicious Circles & Consolidated Myths, RAXEN Thematic report, http://www.i-red.eu/resources/publications-files/hlhr-kemo-i-red_romahousing_greece2009.pdf
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Roma & Travelers
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Integration - social cohesion
External Url http://ete.ypes.gr/
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Is there a formal definition of integration
Yes
Qualitative Info
According to the Law 3386/2005 (art. 65.1): "Social integration aims at providing third country nationals with rights, which ensure on the one hand their analogous equal participation in the financial, social and cultural life of the country and on the other aim at the obligatory respect of the fundamental rules and values of the Hellenic society, (…), while retaining their national identity".
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Integration - social cohesion
-
To which groups does the integration strategy apply?
Third country nationals who reside legally in the country and Roma.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Integration - social cohesion
-
Are there formal policies and practises associated with this integration strategy?
Yes.
Qualitative Info
The National strategy for the integration of third-country nationals provides the main axes of policies and interventions that are undertaken through the Annual Programmes of the European Integration Fund - Greece (2007-2013).
The Integrated Action Plan for the Social Integration of Greek Roma the main programme implemented was the Programme of housing loans to Greek Roma, which ‘promoted the housing of Roma, prioritising those who live under inappropriate conditions, and who face social exclusion due to other objective circumstances’.
Source: Pavlou M., Lykovardi K., Hormovitis D., Prokopi I. (2009), Housing Conditions of Roma in Greece. Vicious Circles & Consolidated Myths, RAXEN Thematic report,
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Housing
- Integration - social cohesion
-
Is the integration strategy effective and, if so, what are the tangible results at a local, regional and national level?
Not the strategy as such.
Qualitative Info
According to the evaluation of MIPEX, "after previous governments’ limited integration actions (e.g. Estia programme), Greece made the greatest overall progress of any MIPEX country (+10) with just 3 laws from the new government, though politicised among right-wing parties. Immigrants and their descendants may see slight improvements in all MIPEX areas, except longterm residence and anti-discrimination.To know whether these reforms are properly implemented in practice, Greece must develop a culture of using statistics and policy evaluation for integration. Greece’s integration policies are now average for Europe, scoring in-between new countries of immigration in Southern Europe. Policies are also more coherent, with strands ranging from 40 to 57 instead of 18 to 56. Both political participation and citizenship were improved in the same law, with reference to European standards and established immigration countries’ policies. Where most European countries do best (family reunion, longterm residence, anti-discrimination), Greece only follows minimum standards from EU law."
For the Housing loan programme for Greek Roma, the RAXEN report on Roma housing conditions mentions: "The programme was initially adopted in 2002 and was repeatedly amended in order to facilitate access to the procedure, and to make its implementation more flexible. It is noted that the loan programme is financially entirely covered by the national state budget. Until 30 Janaury 2009 a total of 7,686 decisions recognising housing support beneficiaries have been issued, accounting for 85.4 per cent of the total planned number of loans to be granted. 6,151 housing loans have been allocated after the beneficiaries agreed a contract with a bank (80 per cent of the approved loan grants). It is also noted that in total, 32,881 funding applications have been submitted to 306 municipalities. However, as the Interior Ministry points out, more applications have been submitted by the same persons, or submitted twice in different stages, or were submitted by non-beneficiaries, thus by people not needing housing support. Despite its large financial scale and its multi-annual duration of implementation, the programme has received criticism for its high costs, the priorities it set, and the effectiveness of its implementation, questioning the final accomplishment of its objectives. More precisely, several problems identified by civil society are: the loan programme cannot satisfy the needs of all the applicants living under similar conditions; it is a
family-based progamme (individual loans per family unit) and cannot accrue to the needs of existing Roma settlements and wider communities. It is disputable if Roma beneficiaries will be in a position to repay, due to a lack of regular incomes; a high proportion of loans being granted to well-integrated Roma.Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Housing
- Integration - social cohesion
-
Is there a formal national strategy on social and/or community cohesion?
Not as such. Social cohesion is mentioned as a main objective of the integration policy.
Qualitative Info
According to the National Strategy for the Integration of Third Country Nationals (ch. 2.1), "The notion of social cohesion constitutes a central political idea of the European Union and of our country. Social cohesion draws specific emphasis upon the participation and the social prosperity of all groups of the population while it considers the establishment of harmonious social relations fundamental for economic and social life. (...) Main priority of the Greek state is the promotion of the social cohesion of the whole population of the country and the common benefit of prosperity without limitations and discriminations."
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Integration - social cohesion
External Url http://ete.ypes.gr/
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Is there a clear definition of social/community cohesion?
Only in relation and as objective of the Social Integration.
Qualitative Info
According to the National Strategy for the Integration of Third Country Nationals (ch. 2.1), "The notion of social cohesion constitutes a central political idea of the European Union and of our country. Social cohesion draws specific emphasis upon the participation and the social prosperity of all groups of the population while it considers the establishment of harmonious social relations fundamental for economic and social life."
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Integration - social cohesion
External Url http://ete.ypes.gr/
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Does the social cohesion strategy apply to all migrant/minority groups?
It applies to documented migrants.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Integration - social cohesion
External Url http://ete.ypes.gr/
See other countriesSee indicator history -
Is/are social/community cohesion strategies effective and producing results?
No evaluation possible, since there is no social/community cohesion strategies as such, but social cohesion is the objective of social integration.
Qualitative Info
Several projects and actions have been undertaken within the Annual Porgrammes of the European Integration Fund in Greece, but there has been no systemic, official or unofficial evaluation until now.
The main criticism addressed mainly by NGOs insisted on the limited scope and doubtful systainability of actions.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
- Roma & Travelers
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Persons with disability
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Integration - social cohesion
External Url http://ete.ypes.gr/polietes.html
See other countriesSee indicator history -
If there is a national strategy covering both integration and cohesion? Are the two key elements of the strategy joined up formally?
Yes.
Qualitative Info
From the National Startegy for the Integration of Third Country Nationals:
"During the last years the objective of integration and the promotion of social cohesion have been growingly joined up as political questions. In the framework of this joining, it is recognised that the safeguard of social cohesion depends more and more on the succes of integration of migrant populations, while on the contrary, phenomena of non integration and marginalisation constitute a threat for the establishment of conditions that assure social cohesion."
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Refugees
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Integration - social cohesion
External Url http://ete.ypes.gr/
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Is there a formal national strategy on the integration of migrants/minorities?
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Public Life, Culture, Sport & Media
Self-identification as well as freedom of association is not guranteed for Turkish and Macedonian minority members. Muslims outside Western Thrace have problems in exercising their religion. According to the Law 3592/2007, Greek language should be the main broadcasting language. In sports, participation of migrant and minority groups is lower than that of majority, while the existing regulations against hate speech are practically ineffective.
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Is self-identification of individuals/groups a criterion for recognition and respect of minority or ethnic cultural linguistic religious groups' rights by the state/government?
No.
Qualitative Info
ECRI recommended in its 4th report on Greece that the Greek authorities investigate allegations of discrimination against members of the Macedonian and Turkish communities and take adequate measures to address them, including by ensuring the implementation of the relevant legislation where necessary. ECRI also strongly recommended that the Greek authorities take steps to recognize the right to selfidentification of these groups.
In addition, ECRI recommended that the Greek authorities ensure the respect and enforcement of the right to self-identification of everyone living in Western Thrace and that measures be taken to ensure that none suffer any form of pressure or discrimination in this regard, and that steps be taken to foster dialogue and mutual acceptance among these groups.
Groups affected/interested
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
Type (R/D)
- Nationalism
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Culture
External Url http://hudoc.ecri.coe.int/XMLEcri/ENGLISH/Cycle_04/04_CbC_eng/GRC-CbC-IV-2009-031-ENG.pdf
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Association: are there restrictions of the freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association for migrants
No.
Qualitative Info
The right to peaceful assembly is protected by art. 11 and the right to association by the art. 12 of the Constitution.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Political participation
- Daily life
External Url http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/UserFiles/8c3e9046-78fb-48f4-bd82-bbba28ca1ef5/SYNTAGMA.pdf
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Association: are there restrictions of the of the freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association for minorities
Officially no, but in practice yes.
Qualitative Info
The right to peaceful assembly is protected by art. 11 and the right to association by the art. 12 of the Constitution.
Nevertheless, the ECRI fourth report on Greece, noted that there serious shortcomings and obstacles by the state towards the recognition of identity and setting the conditions for the exercise of the freedom of association by minority groups in Greece. In particular, the ECRI reported that ‘representatives of the Macedonian community have expressed their feelings of discrimination, inter alia, as concerns the use of their names in their own language and failure to bring cases of hate speech in the media against Macedonians to court. Representatives of the Turkish community in Western Thrace have also stated that recognition of their identity is among the most important problems they face along with education and the right to religious freedom.’
In addition, the UN CERD expressed its concern about the obstacles encountered by some ethnic groups in exercising the freedom of association and noted the forced dissolution and refusal to register some associations including words such as “minority”, “Turkish” or “Macedonian”. The CERD in its 2009 report on Greece recommended that the State party ‘adopt measures to ensure the effective enjoyment by persons belonging to every community or group of their right to freedom of association and of their cultural rights, including the use of mother languages’.
Groups affected/interested
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Culture
- Political participation
- Daily life
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Religion: Persons belonging to minorities face legal and practical obstacles in exercising or manifesting their religion or belief?
Legal no, but practical yes.
Qualitative Info
The most notable case is of the Muslims residing outside the Western Thrace region. The UN CERD expressed its concern about ‘information on certain specific difficulties encountered by Muslims belonging to different ethnic groups to practice their religion’.
In fact, there is a total lack of a mosque outside western Thrace despite the existence of a large Muslim, mostly migrant, community especially in Athens. Muslims exercise their religious duties at improvised informal mosques in appartments. These difficulties fomented also the reactions to an islamophobic incident reported in Athens in May 2009.Groups affected/interested
- Muslims
Type (R/D)
- Islamophobia
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Religion
External Url http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/CERD.C.GRC.19EN.doc
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Media: Are there positive measures for promoting or restrictions for Migrant and minority media?
There are no positive measures for promoting migrant and minority media.
Data Several newspapers based on migrant initiativesQualitative Info
On the contrary, there are legal restrictions for migrant and minority media.
As Pavlou, M. (2010), Complementary Data Collection: Contribution to the FRA Annual Report 2010, i-red/HLHR-KEMO reports:
[The use of specific languages in media] is rather penalized than encouraged. As the ECRI noted in its fourth report on Greece, Law 3592/2007 on the “Concentration and Licensing of Media Enterprises and Other Provisions” adopted on 16 July 2007 provides that the main broadcasting language for radio programmes should be Greek. A number of other requirements on the minimum human and financial resources required to obtain a licence risk endangering smaller regional and minority media.[1] According to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Mr. Miklos Haraszti, who intervened in 2007, this law “endangers pluralism by putting a high threshold for minority, community or low-cost broadcasters”.[2]
[1] ECRI Report on Greece, Fourth Monitoring Cycle, 15.09.2009, p.48 http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/Country-by-country/Greece/GRC-CbC-IV-2009-031-ENG.pdf.
[2] OSCE Press release: New radio licensing law in Greece restricts minority media, says OSCE media freedom watchdog, available at: http://www.osce.org/fom/item_1_25793.html (27.07.2007). Similar reactions were observed from the Thrace Muslim minority representatives and the press.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Ethnic minorities
- Religious minorities
- Linguistic minorities
Type (R/D)
- Nationalism
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Media
External Url http://www.i-red.eu/?i=institute.en.publications.210
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Media: Are there positive measures for promoting or restrictions for minority and lesser used language in the media?
Both restrictions and positive measures.
Qualitative Info
Restrictions are imposed by the Law 3592/2007, which provides that the main broadcasting language for radio programmes should be Greek.
At the level of positive measures, there are some good practices:
The Athens Muncipal Radio special frequency for foreign audience is a notable example. Air 104.4 FM was created in 2004 in the occasion of the Olympic games and in order to cover the needs of Olympic games visitors. However, it stayed after the games and soon became an information and entertaining network in English, Russian, Albanian, German, Spanish, Italian, Arab, French, Chinese, Bulgarian, Polish, Romanian and Phlippinos languages.
Another example is the Radio Friendship (Filia), part of the national broadcasting ERT, has programmes in 12 languages.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Linguistic minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Media
External Url http://www.athina984.gr/1044fm; http://tvradio.ert.gr/radio/index.asp?id=18
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Media: Is there a visible presence (or absence) of members of target groups as media professionals?
Media professionals from migrant or minority groups in mainstream media are almost nonexistent.
Qualitative Info
Some young actors with migrant background appear in TV series, but no journalists from migrant or minority groups appear in mainstream media.
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
- Ethnic minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Media
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Sport: Effective participation of migrants in sport
Disproportionate under-representation of migrants in all sports.
Qualitative Info
"The extremely low participation of migrants in sport, both as athletes and fans and even lower as officials or administrative staff and media is due to:
a) de jure limitation to participate on the basis of regulations in force restricting participation of non-Greek athletes.
b) de facto limitation to participate on the basis of their administrative and residence status, related to a dysfunctional migration legislation and lack of a naturalisation/citizenship path for second and third generation of immigrants.
c) de facto limitation to participate on the basis of racist attitudes and fear of victimisation. A striking example is the racist violence against migrants (Albanians, Africans, Asians) in summer 2004, when they tried to celebrate the Greek National Football team success in winning the Euro2004.
d) a de jure and de facto limitation to participate in athletes’ unions resulting from their statutes’ clear orientation in representing and protecting interests of Greek athletes, according to the interviewed representatives of athletes."Source: Pavlou M.(ed.) authors: Pavlou M.-Parsanoglou D. - Djordjevic O. (2009), Racism in sport in Greece: Preventing racism, xenophobia & related intolerance in sport across the European Union, RAXEN: HLHR-KEMO/i-RED
Groups affected/interested
- Migrants
Type (R/D)
- Anti-migrant/xenophobia
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Sport
External Url http://www.i-red.eu/?i=institute.en.publications.206
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Sport: Effective participation of minorities in sport
Under-representation of minorities in all sports.
Qualitative Info
"All sports seem equally affected, particularly when it comes to representation of ethnic groups at leading positions, officials, unionists and also as fans. However, for all sports the most negative regulations are reported at amateur level.
Roma seem to be the most affected group, mostly due to socio-economic reasons.
The Muslim minority of Thrace is an exception, albeit only at local level. Members of the minority are elected in the local unions of the federation and participate as officials in local amateur clubs. However, their participation is notably confined to Western Thrace and apparently they do not participate proportionally as athletes, supporters, trainers or officials in leading positions on a national level."Source: Pavlou M.(ed.) authors: Pavlou M.-Parsanoglou D. - Djordjevic O. (2009), Racism in sport in Greece: Preventing racism, xenophobia & related intolerance in sport across the European Union, RAXEN: HLHR-KEMO/i-RED
Groups affected/interested
- Roma & Travelers
- Muslims
- Ethnic minorities
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas
- Sport
External Url http://www.i-red.eu/?i=institute.en.publications.206
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Is self-identification of individuals/groups a criterion for recognition and respect of minority or ethnic cultural linguistic religious groups' rights by the state/government?