The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a memorandum on the human rights of Roma in Greece, following his visit to the country from 3 to 7 February 2025.
The Commissioner acknowledges the efforts deployed by Greece to address the human rights situation of Roma communities, in particular in the context of the National Strategy and Action Plan for the Social Inclusion of Roma 2021-2030. He notes the important work of the General Secretariat for Social Solidarity and Fight against Poverty, as well as the regional and local authorities for the implementation of this strategy and the crucial role of civil society organisations in empowering Roma communities and defending their human rights. The Commissioner also observed that many obstacles and structural problems continue to hinder Roma inclusion within Greek society, preventing the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights.
Access to adequate housing and related essential services is particularly challenging in a context where most Roma live in poor conditions in settlements or de facto segregated neighbourhoods. The Commissioner recommends that the Greek authorities accelerate the implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan for the Social Inclusion of Roma 2021-2030, paying special attention to the needs of the most vulnerable, including women, children, persons with disabilities and older people. Coordination of the efforts of national, regional and local authorities to implement the existing policies should be enhanced and the Greek authorities should better monitor the fulfilment by all municipalities of responsibilities in the area of housing, to ensure that their Local Action Plans are effectively implemented in consultation with the communities and civil society organisations. He also urges the authorities to ensure that all Roma settlements are connected to the water and electricity grids, and to refrain from forcibly evicting Roma from their settlements without provision of sustainable and adequate alternative housing solutions.
While noting several positive developments in the field of anti-discrimination, the information the Commissioner received during his visit indicates that the problem of police violence against Roma goes beyond a series of isolated incidents. The Commissioner recommends that the Greek authorities ensure prompt and effective investigations into all allegations of violence, racism and discrimination against Roma, including by members of the law enforcement authorities, with due consideration to any possible racist motive. He also invites them to strengthen the training of law enforcement officers and the judiciary on human rights compliant policing and to collect and publish data regarding disciplinary and criminal investigations into allegations of racial profiling, racially motivated police violence and excessive use of force by members of law enforcement. The Commissioner calls for the adoption of a zero tolerance policy regarding hate speech and stigmatising narratives targeting Roma, including by elected officials, and for further support to the Ombudsman’s special mandate as Mechanism for the Investigation of Arbitrary Incidents. Finally, the Commissioner emphasises the crucial importance of implementing the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights related to the rights of Roma.
- Read the Commissioner's full Memorandum on human rights of Roma in Greece
- Read the comments of the General Secretariat for Social Solidarity and Fight against Poverty of Greece on the Commissioner's Memorandum
- Read the comments of the ministry of Citizen Protection of Greece on the Commissioner's Memorandum