Human Rights in Greece and the European Union

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Anna Karamanou MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT President of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

The discussion today on human rights is particularly timely following the recent publication of the scientific research by our National Center for Social Research on the perceptions and values of Greeks, which surprised many. It is true that it saddens us to see such an image of ourselves making its way around the world. A society of xenophobic, suspicious, and cynical citizens who reject politics as a means of humanizing and advancing society, and declare loyalty only to the army, the police, and religion. However, for those of us who have been fighting for human rights for many years, there was no surprise, only pain, but at the same time hope that something better may emerge from this crisis.

The research confirms previous findings from the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (we recently witnessed the greatness of Michaniona), as well as the data showing that our country ranks last not only among the 15 but also among the 25 EU countries in terms of women’s participation in politics, unfortunately. Therefore, we are aware of our profound conservatism, our attachment to traditions, our inability to readily accept the new, the innovative, the different, and women in politics. However, no evil is without some good.

The research by the National Centre for Social Research (EKKE) was made public at the same time as the government’s legislative initiatives to address racism and xenophobia and to eliminate discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, disability, age, or sexual orientation – as defined by the relevant EU directives. Thus, the opportunity for an official, public, and systematic dialogue on fundamental rights is now opening up in our country. Until now, as is well known, the public dialogue on human rights, in the new context created by a series of transformative changes such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, large population movements, and September 11, 2001, has been opportunistic and fragmented, leading to confusion, fear, introversion, and entrenchment. We now have the opportunity to clearly see our image in the mirror and to decide soberly and responsibly on the improvements and changes we wish to bring about.

At the level of the European Union, all member states have been committed since 1997, and more systematically since the European Council in Tampere, Finland, in 1999, to the creation of a “Common Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice,” an undertaking as ambitious and important as the single market, but more challenging. The plan’s main goal is to guarantee the fundamental freedoms and rights of citizens through the harmonization of criminal laws, the mutual recognition of decisions, judicial and police cooperation, the fight against internationally organized crime, and the development of a common policy on asylum and immigration by May 2004.

On December 7, 2000, at the European Council in Nice, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union was adopted, and in 2001, the Constitutional Assembly was tasked with drafting a European constitution. The Assembly completed its work in July 2003, and currently, the Intergovernmental Conference is discussing the final form of the new constitutional treaty, which will incorporate the Charter, thus strengthening the protection of citizens’ rights.

The European Parliament drafts its own annual report on the state of fundamental rights in the EU, which is non-binding but reflects the opinion of a leading European institution and highlights omissions and violations of human rights within the EU. The 2002 report was voted on September 4, 2003, and in its 150 paragraphs, it addresses the full spectrum of fundamental rights under the following chapters: the right to life and the respect for human dignity, the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, the prohibition of slavery and forced labor, the protection of personal data, the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, the freedom of expression and information, the freedom of assembly and association, the right to education, the right to asylum and protection, the fight against racism and xenophobia, the elimination of discrimination against minorities and homosexuals, gender equality, the rights of children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, workers’ rights to collective bargaining, protection in case of unfair dismissal, the prohibition of child labor and the protection of young people at work, provisions for the reconciliation of family and professional life, the fight against social exclusion, the protection of health, the strengthening of European citizenship, the right to good governance and access to documents, freedom of movement and residence, and equal access to justice.

The European Parliament’s report clearly demonstrates that there is significant room for improvement in the state of fundamental rights in all EU countries, even in those with a long tradition of democracy and respect for human rights.

I hope that today’s discussion, with the participation of so many distinguished personalities and experts, will contribute to the dialogue for the improvement of human rights in our country.