Regarding the approval of the European Parliament’s report on human rights, which includes the lifting of the monastic privileges of Mount Athos for women, I hereby declare the following:

1. The Report is very important because it presents the state of human rights within the European Union and specifically calls out all the Union’s countries for omissions and violations of human rights. Its approval, even with a narrow majority (274 in favor and 269 against), holds particular value. Among the Greek Members of the European Parliament, the Report was approved by Anna Karamanou, Michalis Papayiannakis, and Dimitris Koulouriannis.

2. This decision of the European Parliament is not binding but advisory in nature. However, it expresses the opinion, the position of a European democratic institution that represents European citizens and possesses authority and credibility.

3. The paragraph related to Mount Athos was passed with 277 votes in favor and 255 against. Personally, I have supported in the past the lifting of the decision made by the monks that prohibits women from accessing Mount Athos. This decision was made a thousand years ago, during the dark Middle Ages in Europe, and reflects the social reality of that time, when women had no access to education, the arts, or public life. Today, with the recognition of gender equality and women’s rights, this decision cannot stand because it conflicts not only with the modern concept of human rights but also with the very Christian religion and faith. I remind you of the wonderful Christian message that condemns discrimination based on gender or national and social origin: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female.” So, on which Gospel or doctrine is the decision to exclude half of humanity from Mount Athos based?

4. The related decision of the European Parliament can serve as the basis for a sober, public dialogue. In democratic societies, there are no taboo subjects. Respect for traditions cannot be used as an excuse for limiting rights and imposing gender-based discrimination. The monks of Mount Athos should reconsider the decision that grants privileges to one gender and treats the other (their very mothers) as the creation of an inferior god. No tradition and no custom can be above the respect for human rights and dignity.

5. It is worth noting that the European Union has funded significant amounts for the Athonite State for the renovation of monasteries and the preservation of cultural treasures. It is self-evident that the funding of Mount Athos was also contributed by women taxpayers of the European Union. Of course, the European Union has accepted the autonomy and self-governance of Mount Athos, which does not conflict with human rights and does not dictate gender-based discrimination.

Anna Karamanou

Member of the European Parliament

President of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality