Greece: Human Rights on the Procrustean bed

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ENGLISH, 21/01/2014

Press Release

Twenty trade unions, human rights and civil society organisations from across Europe sent a letter to

the President of the European Parliament to ask him to undertake a Report on the situation of human

rights, the rule of law and democracy in the country holding the Presidency of the European Council,

under article 7 of the TEU.

The letter documents the wide range of serious violations of the European Charter of FundamentalRights, which are systematically perpetrated in the country especially since it was subjected to the

harsh Troika-led economic programs in 2010.

Signatories include the 75.000-strong Greek federation of municipal workers (POE-OTA), the 55.000-

strong Greek Federation of Secondary State School Teachers (OLME) and the 167.000-strong Belgian

private sector union, CNE. They also include the European Association for the Defense of Human

Rights (AEDH), an umbrella organisation of 30 groups in 22 EU member states.

In the course of the week, Greek Ministers will appear before several European Parliament

committees. Signatories urge MEPs to use the opportunity to interrogate them on the basis of evidence

contained in the letter.

The European Parliament must use its powers to investigate and possibly initiate a procedure under

article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, we have provided them a solid basis to this. It was hard to

find a single article of the charter for fundamental rights that isnt breached today in Greece said Serge

Kollwelter, president of the European Association for the Defense of Human Rights.

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MEGA :

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Greece is well into the 6th year of depression with unemployment recording European heights leaving

the majority of the countys youngest, 57,9% according to latest figures, out of work. Thousands of

people have to go without access to healthcare or electricity and basic services such as education and

hospitals are been dangerously downgraded. Protestors are faced with the excessive and

life-threatening violence, detainees are tortured by the same police who stand by idle as neo-Nazi

groups terrorize and even kill migrants. All along the borders with Turkey, refugees and migrants are

routinely faced with life threatening push backs and ill-treatment.

Is this the future for all Europeans and whos next? When we are faced with such serious violations

inaction equals complicity. The European Parliament must act even at the latest hour and shout that

Human Rights cant be sacrificed, people arent simply numbers said Themis Balasopoulos, chair of

the Greek federation of municipal workers (POE-OTA)

Renaud Vivien, co-secretary general of CADTM said: Human Rights are sacrificed in the name of

paying an illegitimate debt which has only increased in these four years, despite the brutal cuts in

public spending. Therefore it is urgent to audit the debt carried by the Greek people and cancel any

part founded as illegitimate without any conditions.

Read the whole letter in English, Frenchand Greek

Signatories:

AEDH, Association Europenne pour le dfense des Droits de lHomme1.

Ligue de Droits de lHomme Belgique2.

European Attac Network3.

Attac Austia4.

Attac France5.

Attac Flanders6.

Attac Hellas7.

ttac Hungary8.

Attac Ireland9.

CADTM Europe10.

CNE-CSC, National union of employees Belgium11.

Corporate Europe Observatory12.

European Public Health Alliance13.

Forum per una Nuova Finanza Pubblica e Sociale Italy14.

Network for political and social rights (Diktyo) Greece15.

OLME, Greek Federation of Secondary State School Teachers16.

Platform Stop Racisme en Uitsluiting The Netherlands17.

POE-OTA, Greek federation of municipal workers18.

Transnational Institute ()19.

Union of workers in Thessaloniki water company (SEEYATH) Greece20.

Movement against Racism and Fascist Threat (KERFA) Greece21.

War on Want United Kingdom22.

Supported by Solidarity Initiatives to Greece:

- Initiative de Solidarit la Grce qui Rsiste Bruxelles

- Real Democracy Now Berlin / GR


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Greece: Human Rights on the Procrustean bed

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