Key findings from the report include allegations of torture, theft, and illegal refoulement of refugees and migrants; excessive police violence particularly targeting racial and ethnic minorities; and significant incidents of violence or threats against the LGBTQI+ community. Furthermore, the report details illegal surveillance activities involving the use of malware against politicians, journalists, and citizens, raising serious concerns about privacy and freedom of the press.

The US State Department also noted that while the US government has taken measures to investigate and hold accountable officials involved in human rights violations, there is ongoing criticism from non-governmental and international organisations. These groups have expressed dissatisfaction with the Greek government’s efforts to address allegations of illegal refoulements and abuse of migrants not only during refoulement operations but also within pre-departure centres and detention facilities.

The report underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to address these issues, pointing out the pervasive nature of government corruption and the infamous wiretapping scandal known as the “Predator Case”.

Torture, theft, and repatriation of refugees and immigrants by authorities

Reports from various NGOs, despite corroborating UN and EU findings and a January 2023 Interim Report by the National Human Rights Commission, indicate that Greece has not effectively addressed allegations of violent pushbacks against refugees and immigrants. These organisations stress the need for an independent authority to investigate such allegations, countering the government’s stance that current mechanisms—like the judicial system, the National Transparency Authority, and the Special Commission for Compliance with Fundamental Rights of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum—are sufficient.

Furthermore, both NGOs and international organisations have documented instances where Greek authorities allegedly assaulted migrants and asylum seekers, confiscating their personal documents, belongings, and money. Reports also include dire situations where individuals were left stranded without basic necessities in the Aegean or along the Evros land border.

A notable article by El Pais analysed 374 incidents at the Evros border, involving more than 20,000 people who were forcibly returned shortly after their arrival. The report highlights that police forces confiscated over 2 million euros, mobile phones, and other valuables, with 92% of those repatriated in 2022 claiming to have been victims of theft.

Additionally, the Border Violence Monitoring Network, comprising 12 NGOs across Europe, released findings in February based on interviews with 50 detainees in Greek pre-departure centres. According to this report, 65% of detainees claimed to have experienced or witnessed violence by authorities, with 25% reporting the use of physical violence, including tasers, as coercion or punishment.

The State Department’s report also discusses the overcrowding and poor conditions of prisons and detention centres in Greece, specifically citing a visit by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture to Korydallos Prison Psychiatric Hospital. The visit revealed “overcrowded and dilapidated” conditions, a lack of “real occupational therapy services,” and insufficient medical staff for the 170 patients. In response to these issues, the government launched a 24 million euro program aimed at improving the reintegration of prisoners.

Overall, the State Department’s findings emphasise that the official data indicates prisons are operating over capacity, violent incidents are on the rise, and both the Hellenic Police and the Coast Guard are maintaining immigrants and asylum seekers in deplorable conditions, underscoring a critical need for reforms in the treatment of detained individuals.

Abuse and violence in refoulement operations, including Pylos Shipwreck tragedy

The State Department has highlighted numerous incidents of physical abuse and violence perpetrated by the Hellenic Police and Coast Guard against migrants and asylum seekers during refoulement operations. An interim report by the Mechanism for Recording Incidents of Informal Forced Returns, established under the National Human Rights Commission and supervised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, documented 50 such incidents from April 2020 to October 2022, impacting approximately 2,157 individuals. Out of 58 testimonies gathered, 51 indicated occurrences of violence during the actual removal process, detailing physical and verbal abuse, threats, sexual abuse, and the confiscation of personal items.

Further complicating the situation, some local and international organisations have linked the tragic sinking of the boat Adriana on June 14—also known as the Pylos shipwreck—to actions by the Coast Guard attempting to push the vessel out of national territorial waters. This catastrophic event resulted in the estimated deaths of 600 migrants and asylum seekers, who were left in a perilous situation by criminal smugglers. Although the Greek government maintains that the vessel was in international waters at the time of the sinking, the incident has sparked significant scrutiny and led to multiple investigations.

On July 26, the EU Ombudsman initiated an inquiry into the incident and requested access to files from FRONTEX (European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders) related to the Adriana wreck. Subsequently, in September, 40 survivors filed a lawsuit at the Piraeus Maritime Court. The scrutiny further intensified when, on November 10, Ombudsman Andreas Pottakis commenced an independent investigation into the wreck after requests for a thorough internal investigation were denied by Coast Guard leadership.

Additionally, the Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN) has reported multiple incidents of abuse based on ethnicity, religion, or skin colour, as well as targeting of human rights activists involved in aiding migrant groups.

Wiretapping and surveillance concerns

The State Department’s report references a European Parliament study highlighting the use of spyware by Greece against journalists, politicians, and business leaders, and notes the exportation of such technology to countries with questionable human rights records. The report elaborately discusses the case of Artemis Sifford, a former employee of Meta, who was targeted by the Predator spyware. In July, the Data Protection Authority revealed that in 2022, at least 92 Greek citizens were targeted by Predator, though the origins of these attempts remain unverified, and investigations continue.

Freedom of the press

The State Department acknowledges that Greek law upholds freedom of expression, affirming that the government generally respects this right. However, it contrasts this by pointing out reports from both domestic and international media outlets, which suggest that journalists face pressures not to criticize the government or expose scandals, hinting at an undercurrent of media suppression.

Government corruption

The report details that Greek laws against corruption are effectively enforced, providing criminal penalties for convicted officials. Despite this, corruption persists, with various government bodies tasked with combating it. The National Transparency Authority executes a National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (2022-2025), overseeing investigations and monitoring compliance concerning asset declarations and lobbying. Fraud and corruption cases are primarily managed by the Ministry of Finance’s General Directorate of Economic and Financial Crime Unit, with other significant investigations conducted by the Home Affairs Directorate and the Internal Affairs Service for law enforcement. Additionally, the Court of Audit plays a critical role in overseeing the use of public funds.

The report underscores significant incidents of corruption within the police force. It cites a preliminary investigation launched on January 29 by Supreme Court prosecutor Dogiakos into alleged connections between high-ranking officers and criminal organisations. Moreover, on May 29, five border police officers were arrested for their involvement in a smuggling operation that illegally transported migrants from Turkey, spotlighting the ongoing challenges in curbing corruption within law enforcement.

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