The attempt to silence human rights defenders continues. What remains to be decided are its accompanying measures

PRESS RELEASE

Athens, 21.12.2022

THE ATTEMPT TO SILENCE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONTINUES. WHAT REMAINS TO BE DECIDED ARE ITS ACCOMPANYING MEASURES

Την Τρίτη 20.12.2022 ολοκληρώθηκε η απολογία του Παναγιώτη Δημητρά μετά την άσκηση ποινικής δίωξης εναντίον του για «συγκρότηση εγκληματικής οργάνωσης με σκοπό τη διευκόλυνση της παράνομης εισόδου και παραμονής στην Ελλάδα πολιτών τρίτων χωρών». Μετά την ολοκλήρωση της απολογίας η Ανακρίτρια και η Εισαγγελέας συμφώνησαν στην επιβολή του όρου της απαγόρευσης ενασχόλησής του με την Οργάνωση Ελληνικό Παρατηρητήριο Συμφωνιών του Ελσίνκι, της οποίας είναι ιδρυτικό και βασικό μέλος από το 1993, ενώ διαφώνησαν ως προς τους λοιπούς όρους που θα συνοδεύουν αυτή, με αποτέλεσμα η διαφωνία τους να παραπεμφθεί στο αρμόδιο Δικαστικό Συμβούλιο.

Specifically, the Prosecutor additionally proposed house arrest with permitted exit only for medical visits, while the Investigating Magistrate proposed a travel ban, coupled with reporting to a police station on the 1st and 15th of each month, and a 10,000 euro bail.

These proposals exhaust the limits of harshness and severity against a man known for his work in defending human rights in Greece for many decades. They also give pause in their fury against Human Rights Defenders at a critical juncture of daily information on new victims of systematic and illegal forced returns of refugees and migrants at the borders of our country.

We stress that house arrest is equivalent to detention (deprivation of physical liberty), while the prohibition on involvement with the organisation he has founded and remains a part of, with notable activity and participation in all international human rights, is contrary to the Greek Constitution, the ECHR and all national and international provisions safeguarding freedom of expression, personal development, as well as the freedom of association. Any other alternatives to pre-trial detention are not justifiable given that the residence and presence of the person concerned and known.

Prohibition on involvement and participation in a recognised association or union is a measure that affects the sphere of a person's convictions and beliefs, while interest in the common good and solidarity, as recognised positive social characteristics, cannot constitute an illegal activity, in order for involvement therewith to be prohibited. Otherwise, all instruments of international and national institutions and organisations that have denounced similar incidents would have to be investigated as criminal organisations (since they have a structure, hierarchy, duration, roles).

We remain firmly on the side of supporting those who defend human rights, especially those of refugees and migrants.

CO-SIGNATORIES

ARSIS Association for the Social Support of Youth (http://arsis.gr)

Network of Social Support for Refugees and Migrants (http://migrant.diktio.org)

Greek Helsinki Monitor (https://greekhelsinki.wordpress.com)

Greek Council for Refugees (http://www.gcr.gr)

Ελληνικό Φόρουμ Μεταναστών (https://www.migrant.gr/)

Greek Forum of Refugees (http://www.refugees.gr)

World without Wars and Violence (https://www.kosmosxorispolemous.gr/)

Lawyers for the Rights of Refugees and Migrants (http://www.omadadikigorwn.blogspot.com)

“To Mov” Panhellenic Women Rights Association (http://tomov.gr)

Refugee Support Aegean(RSA) (http://rsaegean.org/el)