Changes from resolution motion to adopted text

Removed11. Welcomes the conclusion of the collective labour agreement reached between the Greek State and the journalists’ unions in August 2022, which lays out the working conditions of journalists employed by public institutions and entities and ensures the provision of safety equipment, insurance and financial benefits other than salary;

AddedR. whereas the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation is of the utmost importance for protecting the EU budget;

Removed12. Welcomes actions to support working journalists that ensure access to formal and effective social protection, as well as other practical support measures, such as the funding programme by the United Organisation of Supplementary Pension and Healthcare Insurance for Journalists;

AddedS. whereas the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) launched an investigation on 28 November 2022 into the abuse of EUR 700 million in subsidies for a rail safety system; whereas 23 people have since been arrested in connection with the scandal, except for (former) government ministers who are shielded from prosecution through a decision of the Greek Parliament, for which the Greek Constitution was invoked;

Removed13. Takes note of the ongoing investigation into the murder of journalist George Karaivaz on 9 April 2021, and of the arrests of the alleged assassins; calls on the Greek authorities to continue their efforts to bring all those responsible for the death of George Karaivaz to justice; strongly condemns the criminalisation of, attacks on and killings of journalists for doing their job in the EU and beyond, including the killings of Daphne Caruana Galizia on 16 October 2017, of Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová on 21 February 2018, of Viktoria Marinova on 6 October 2018, and of Peter R. de Vries on 15 July 2021; stresses the crucial role they play in unveiling the truth, protecting democracy and ending the culture of impunity; pays further tribute to all the journalists killed in Europe in recent years;

AddedT. whereas the Greek Government, in addition to Greek police representatives, refused to meet with Parliament’s DRFMG delegation during its official mission; whereas the Greek Prime Minister met with a European People’s Party local German delegation the following day; whereas this refusal to meet with any minister or other high-level government representatives is unprecedented during fact-finding missions since the establishment of the DRFMG in 2018;

Removed14. Notes that Greece ensures high standards of protection for persons who report breaches of Union law, as provided for in Law 4990/2022, which fully implements the Whistleblower Directive;

AddedU. whereas Greece has adopted several laws in the framework of equality, some of which contain major loopholes; whereas the Greek law that bans so-called ‘conversion practices’ on minors and other vulnerable persons does not cover cases where ‘conversion practices’ are performed by priests or other religious and/or spiritual leaders, or specialists without official qualifications, and those performed on adults who have given their consent; whereas those who carry out such practices can only be held liable if they have accepted money to perform them; whereas there was major upheaval in the LGBTIQ+ community in the summer of 2023 following the death of a queer artist from Cuba, Anna Hernández, found stabbed to death in her home and initial police reports misgendering her;

Removed15. Underlines that Greece has amended controversial legal provisions, such as Article 191 of its Criminal Code, to address concerns about the spread of disinformation, which demonstrates its commitment to the protection of journalists’ rights;

AddedV. whereas in the European Institute for Gender Equality’s 2023 gender equality index, Greece scored 58 points out of 100 and ranked only 24th in the EU; whereas according to the 2023 evaluation by the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence monitoring the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, Greece does not currently have any rape crisis centres and/or sexual violence referral centres;

Removed16. Acknowledges that, following the adoption of Law 5002/2022, Greece became the first EU Member State to prohibit and penalise any transaction, sale, possession, trade or use of spyware on its territory;

Added1. Expresses severe concerns about very serious threats to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Greece; stresses that checks and balances are essential for a robust democracy and notes with concern that these have come under heavy pressure;

Removed17. Underlines that, in recent years, Greece has adopted a policy that aims to protect the EU’s external borders, including by preventing the abuse of the European asylum system by smugglers; welcomes the fact that, in parallel, Greece has developed an advanced fundamental rights monitoring mechanism, far exceeding the minimum standards set out by EU legislation;

Added2. Is deeply concerned by the failure of law enforcement and the judicial authorities in Greece to make progress in the investigation into the murder of the Greek journalist George Karaivaz on 9 April 2021; notes that two suspects were arrested in April 2023, but otherwise there has not been any discernible activity in the police investigation; strongly urges the authorities to take all the necessary steps towards conducting a thorough and effective investigation, and to bring those involved in the murder, at any level, to justice; urges the authorities to request assistance from Europol;

Removed18. Stresses that Frontex’s largest operations take place in Greece and that the operational environment there is extremely challenging; highlights that, nevertheless, Frontex manages to protect Europe’s external borders, while simultaneously saving thousands of lives;

Added3. Is greatly alarmed that, aside from this murder, many journalists face physical threats, verbal attacks, including from high-ranking politicians and ministers, the violation of their privacy with spyware, and SLAPPs; underlines that this creates a chilling effect for them; calls for these SLAPPs, in particular, to be dropped immediately; insists that the government has the obligation to take all necessary steps to bring the perpetrators of crimes against individuals, journalists and other media actors to justice, as well as to create a safe environment for all journalists;

Removed19. Reiterates that civil society organisations are Greece’s closest partners in its efforts to manage migration and run asylum procedures in a dignified and efficient way;

Added4. Expresses deep concern about the many cases of excessive use of force by police services against minority groups and peaceful protesters in general; calls on the authorities to fully and independently investigate all such instances; is deeply concerned by the fact that three young Roma have been killed in recent years in Greece through alleged police violence, and by the lack of a thorough investigation thereof; notes with concern that in some cases the police cleaned up the crime scene before a forensic examination took place; recalls that the competent court acquitted four police officers of involvement in the death of LGBTIQ+ activist Zak Kostopoulos in 2022, despite footage showing police using unnecessary force;

Removed20. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Greek Government and Parliament.

Added5. Calls on the government to ensure the full independence of its national regulatory authority for the audiovisual sector as required under the AVMS Directive;

Added6. Stresses that media pluralism is under threat, as media ownership in the country is mainly distributed among a small number of oligarchs, resulting in dramatic under-reporting on certain topics, such as concerns over the rail safety system prior to the Tempi train crash; notes with concern the lack of transparency in the distribution of state subsidies to media outlets; notes the Commission’s conclusion that media regulators lack resources; questions the objectivity and independence of the Greek National Council for Radio and Television and is concerned about the sudden replacement of the oversight board in September 2023; calls on the Commission to monitor the implementation of new media law No 5005/2022 of 21 December 2022, in particular as regards media ownership transparency;

Added7. Calls, with regard to the illicit use of surveillance technology such as Predator spyware, for:

Added(a) institutional and legal safeguards, including effective ex ante and ex post scrutiny, as well as independent oversight mechanisms, to be urgently restored and strengthened;

Added(b) all export licences that are not fully in line with the Dual-Use Regulation to be urgently repealed and for the allegations of illegal exports, among others to Sudan, to be investigated;

Added(c) guarantees that the authorities can investigate all allegations of the use of spyware freely and in an unhindered manner;

Added(d) the reversal of the 2019 legislative amendment that placed the EYP under the direct control of the Prime Minister;

Added(e) guarantees of the independence of the NTA leadership;

Added(f) the urgent launch of a police investigation following the alleged abuse of spyware and for the seizure of physical evidence of proxies, broker companies and spyware vendors linked to spyware infections;

Added(g) Europol to be immediately invited to join the investigations; condemns the illegitimate instrumentalisation of the term ‘national security threat’ as a justification for the unacceptable wiretapping and surveillance of political opponents, including current Members of the European Parliament Georgios Kyrtsos and former Member Nikos Androulakis; expresses serious concern about the influence of the Prime Minister over the EYP, which is under the direct competence and supervision of his office;

Added8. Notes with great concern that independent authorities such as the ADAE and the Greek Data Protection Authority (DPA) have come under increasing pressure owing to their work concerning the EYP’s illegitimate wiretapping; notes, further, that the Greek Parliament suddenly replaced the ADAE’s board members in 2023 on the eve of the ADAE’s decision to impose a fine on the EYP, and just before the ADAE and the DPA called for a crucial step to be taken in the investigation into the spyware scandal;

Added9. Calls on the Greek Government to urgently withdraw amendment 826/145 to Law No 2472/1997, which abolished the ability of the ADAE to notify citizens of the confidentiality of communications being lifted, and to restore the full independence of the judiciary and all relevant oversight bodies, such as the Ombudsman and the DPA, in order to ensure that all oversight bodies enjoy full cooperation and access to information and are able to provide complete information to all victims;

Added10. Expresses concern about the underfunding, understaffing, curtailing of powers, opaque appointment procedures, and harassment and intimidation of officials of independent public bodies such as the Ombudsman, whose mandate and the duration thereof must be in line with the Paris Principles and the European standards on equality bodies, the DPA and the ADAE; notes, further, that the National Transparency Agency, which should play a vital role in scrutinising the public authorities, does not seem to be effective and concerns have been raised about its independence; calls on the Greek Government to ensure the independence and operational autonomy of independent oversight bodies, in accordance with the Greek Constitution and the applicable national and EU legal requirements, and to improve its compliance with their recommendations; points out that the systematic difficulties and delays in appointing the management of independent oversight bodies undermine their effectiveness and authority; is very alarmed by the sudden replacement of the board members of the ADAE and the oversight body for the public broadcaster in September 2023, just as the ADAE and the DPA had called for a crucial step to be taken in the spyware investigation;

Added11. Is deeply concerned that the transfer of the spyware investigation to another prosecutor, following the previous prosecutors’ request to the ADAE to check whether the 92 people targeted by Predator spyware (including national members of parliament and MEPs, journalists and government officials) had also been subject to surveillance by the EYP, will lead to the investigation de facto ending; reiterates its call for Europol to be involved in the investigation;

Added12. Strongly condemns the intimidation and harassment used against officials who are scrutinising the government, such as former anti-corruption prosecutor Eleni Touloupaki and Christos Rammos, head of the ADAE; expresses its dismay at the Supreme Court prosecutor’s intervention and alleged attempt to stop an ADAE request for a telecommunications company to check surveillance orders in 2022;

Added13. Stresses with severe concern that corruption is eroding public services and goods; underlines that the length of judicial proceedings, compounded by doubts over the integrity of parts of the police force, and conflicts of interest at the highest level, including alleged police infiltration by organised crime groups, will lead to a culture of impunity where corruption can thrive; stresses that the authorities have yet to establish a solid track record in the investigation and prosecution of high-level corruption cases that lead to final convictions with a deterrent effect; calls on the government and the authorities to remedy these issues as a matter of priority;

Added14. Calls on the Greek Government to adopt immediate measures and the necessary reforms to improve the capacity and transparency of the police to investigate cases of organised crime, including to look into strong indications of links between organised crime and the police throughout its ranks;

Added15. Calls on the government to fully implement all judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as to comply with interim measures imposed by the Court;

Added16. Notes that, to date, no measures have been taken with regard to the participation of the judiciary in the appointment procedure for the highest judicial offices, namely judges, to the posts of President and Vice-President of the Council of State, the Supreme Court and the Court of Audit;

Added17. Expresses its deep regret and sorrow at the tragic loss of life in the shipwreck of 14 June 2023, when a fishing boat sank in the Ionian Sea off the coast of Pylos, Messenia, Greece, with over 600 persons on board presumed dead; is deeply concerned by the lack of progress made in the judicial investigation; welcomes the investigations by the European Ombudsman and the Greek Ombudsman into the catastrophe; expresses severe concern about the treatment of migrants at the external borders and domestically, following systematic pushbacks and violence against non-EU nationals, their arbitrary detention and the theft of their belongings; is further severely concerned about the conditions in reception centres, especially in terms of protecting individuals against crimes being committed and access to basic sanitation; considers that the Fundamental Rights Officer at the Ministry of Migration and Asylum needs a broader and independent mandate, so as to be able also to effectively investigate pushbacks; calls on the Commission to assess the compliance with EU law of border surveillance systems using behavioural analytics, and of the EU funding thereof; condemns the Commission’s dramatic failure to enforce EU laws with regard to reception conditions, pushbacks and human rights, and believes that infringement proceedings are more appropriate than the Commissioner’s praise;

Added18. Is concerned by the attacks against civil society and, in particular, smear campaigns and judicial harassment by Greek authorities targeting human rights activists; is alarmed by the recent trials against humanitarian workers and people who provide humanitarian assistance to migrants and refugees; calls on the Greek authorities to drop all charges immediately and ensure that humanitarian workers and volunteers can provide assistance safely and freely;

Added19. Believes it to be crucial that the judicial investigation into the Tempi train disaster be conducted swiftly and comprehensively, covering all actors involved, including responsible government officials; is not satisfied with the scrutiny carried out by the competent committee of the Greek Parliament, as it appears to lack political impartiality and to be reluctant to call on key expert witnesses to testify; is deeply concerned by the Greek Parliament’s refusal to conduct an investigation as requested by the EPPO regarding two former ministers for transport;

Added20. Is concerned about the restrictive regulatory framework for registering civil society organisations, in particular as regards organisations active in migration and social inclusion; urges the government to immediately lift the restrictions imposed on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and journalists reporting on migration with immediate effect and to review the legislative framework as a matter of priority; calls for it to support and enhance all initiatives contributing to more transparency in these matters, such as the Human Rights Commission’s pushback-reporting mechanism;

Added21. Notes that Greece has put in place a legal framework regarding equal treatment and positive steps have been taken in that direction, such as the creation of the new Human Rights Commission; is concerned, however, about the weak legal framework and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people, Roma and other minorities; calls on the government and all other political forces to show leadership and promote societal change in this regard, especially as regards domestic violence, police violence and marriage equality, which has been under discussion for several years;

Added22. Acknowledges the existence of helplines and specialised police domestic violence response services, but also urges the government to set up comprehensive rape crisis centres and to make sure that victims of sexual violence can have immediate access to medical care, trauma support, forensic examinations and psychological support; calls on the government to make femicide a stand-alone crime;

Added23. Welcomes the ban on non-consensual surgeries and calls for the proper training of medical professionals to properly welcome and provide care for intersex persons;

Added24. Welcomes the equal marriage bill tabled in the Greek Parliament and calls for its swift adoption;

Added25. Calls on the government to improve the legislative process by introducing real and meaningful consultation and to abolish the controversial practice of omnibus legislation;

Added26. Deplores the fact that the Greek Government and police authorities refused to meet with representatives of the European Parliament during its official mission in April 2022 and calls for the current Greek Government to establish a constructive dialogue with the European Parliament;

Added27. Calls on the Commission to make full use of the tools available to it to address the breaches of the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU in Greece; calls, in particular, for an assessment of compliance with the Charter in the implementation of the relevant EU funds as required by the Common Provisions Regulation; calls for a Commission assessment under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation of the consequences of the failure to implement relevant judgments by the European courts; recalls that, should financial measures be adopted, the Commission must ensure that the final recipients or beneficiaries of EU funds are not deprived of these funds, as set out in Article 5(4) and (5) of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation, and must find ways to ensure that EU funds reach citizens, businesses, regional and local authorities, NGOs and any other relevant stakeholders if the government does not cooperate concerning deficiencies in the rule of law, especially given the impacts of the economic crisis, the high cost of living and the increase in poverty in the country;

Added28. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the United Nations.