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(Brussels, 1 August 2024) – European Commission 2024 Rule of Law ReportPublished on July 24, 2024, misleading readers about the rule of law in China Greece At a time when media freedom and civic space face serious threats and attacks, 14 human rights and media freedom organizations said today.
The overly positive portrayal in the report is in conflict with journalists, activists and Civilized Society In a statement issued on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights and Press Freedom Forum, 17 human rights and press freedom organizations expressed growing concern on the ground and in the international community about the deterioration of the rule of law in the country. February 2024 Letter To Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
The European Commission report ignores the Greek government’s self-reported data and Shocking Account The report, submitted to the European Commission by civil society organizations and journalists, focuses too much on positive developments while failing to take into account wider systemic problems and ongoing violations. This raises concerns about the Commission’s willingness to confront the deep crisis in the EU member state and to uphold the rule of law and fundamental rights in Greece.
The groups said the European Commission’s findings obscured serious problems facing Greek media and civil society and risked encouraging the Greek government to crack down on independent media and civil society.
Greece consistently ranks at the bottom of the EU in surveys by Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom IndexIn February 2024, the European Parliament passed solve Express“gravely concerned about the serious threats to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Greece.”
While the Commission’s rule of law report acknowledges issues of independence and resources for media regulators, independence of public service media, access to information, ongoing threats to journalists’ safety, and the potential chilling effect of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) and harassment (including from politicians), it fails to capture The severity of the current crisisThe organization said.
The report highlights some positive developments and legislative changes, such as the decriminalization of simple defamation, but does not adequately reflect the long-standing shortcomings in the implementation of past reforms and the deep-rooted systemic problems that continue to erode media freedom.
Journalists are intimidated and harassed Intrusive state surveillanceincluding through Using Commercial Spyware, Abuse of legal actionand coordinated online smear campaigns, often instigated or exacerbated by pro-government elements. These tactics not only undermine journalists’ ability to work freely, but also endanger their lives, safety and the confidentiality of their sources.
This was further exacerbated by comments made by Supreme Court prosecutors this week. Decide Liquidation Holds all Greek state institutions or any government officials responsible for using Predator spyware to target dozens of high-profile individuals, including journalists, despite Record Evidence of their involvement.
Impunity The hostile environment faced by journalists in Greece is further exacerbated by the absence of concrete action plans or investigative protocols for those who threaten and harass journalists. ImplementationThis week, the suspects in the 2021 killing of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz were acquitted, and the circumstances of his death remain unsolved, further fueling the climate of impunity for crimes against journalists in Greece. Lack of media diversityincluding inappropriate Government Control national media, and Media Owners and Political Interests leading to a general atmosphere of censorship and Self-censorshipThis further distorts the media landscape and undermines journalistic independence.
Civil society organizations and human rights defenders, particularly those working on migration issues, also face Major obstaclesor even Criminal chargesThe European Commission report does not adequately address the adverse impact these chilling tactics have had on freedom of expression and association in Greece.
The new European Commission should take a tougher stance and uphold its commitment to fundamental rights and democratic values in member states, including by publicly condemning specific actions that restrict press freedom, suppress civil society, or violate the rule of law.
The groups say the Greek people deserve a free press, a vibrant civil society and a government that respects the rule of law.
Signatory
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR)
Human Rights Watch
The European Observatory for the Balkans and the Caucasus (OBCT)
Reporters Without Borders
Transparency International EU
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