Greek minister of Migration Notis Mitarachi invokes international law to distinguish “real” from “non-real” refugees. The UNHCR’s response to Solomon refutes his allegations.
Accountability
Solomon files complaint with Supreme Court in case against National Intelligence Agency
Last November, it was revealed that citizens, including a Solomon journalist, were under surveillance by the Greek National Intelligence Agency (EYP) – calling into question the legality of such actions. Now, by filing a legal complaint against EYP with the country’s highest court, we call for authorities to investigate the possibility that criminal offences may have been committed by officials of an agency which appears to operate without any accountability.
SLAPPs against Greek independent media Solomon and Reporters United
The NGO Hopeten served members and journalists of Solomon and Reporters United with a legal notice regarding questions we had asked them as part of our investigation. Below is the legal notice and our response – this is not their first attempt at hindering our research and reports before we even publish anything.
Young Roma shot dead by Greek police. Yet another case of police impunity? — Part 1
After a car chase, Greek police shot and killed a young Roma man. The incident bears a striking resemblance to another case of excessive and unwarranted use of force by Greek law enforcement − in which Greece was convicted by the European Court of Justice in 2004. The Makaratzis case was the main lawsuit in a group of cases brought to the European Court of Human Rights regarding excessive use of force by Greek law enforcement and the failure of both disciplinary and judicial action to bring an end to such incidents. The Council of Europe continues to urge Greece to take action to address police violence.
Congolese minor suing Frontex: “I thought that the law is upheld in Europe”
A.N., a young woman from Burundi, was recently granted asylum in Greece. However, her struggle continues. She is suing Frontex, for the first time in the history of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, for complicity in two pushback incidents that she claims preceded her asylum. The case is co-signed by an unaccompanied minor from the Democratic Republic of the Congo – who claims that he has been pushed backed to Turkey three times, where he currently remains.
How a convicted neo-Nazi attempts to regain his seat in Greek Parliament − from jail
A year after the leaders of neo-Nazi party, Golden Dawn, were convicted of operating a criminal organization, their influence seems to have waned. However, through his own YouTube channel, which he uses to speak unopposed, Ilias Kasidiaris is aiming to become the main spokesperson of the Far Right in Greece.
Millions in funding at stake for refugee housing
2020 was the year the government vowed to “put NGOs in order” and millions were controversially allocated to tackle the issue. Funding was even granted to NGOs that did not meet the criteria set by the government.
The grey areas on the list of the greek media outlets’ payments for COVID-19 awareness campaign
Athens Voice received more money than LIFO. The Athenian newspaper Efimerida ton Syntakton only got as much as a local paper. There were 239 websites that received money although they were unregistered news outlets. The publication of the list revealed inconsistencies in the payments the media received for the coronavirus public awareness campaign “We Stay Home”.
Pushbacks: The eternal denial of the Greek government
With mounting evidence and growing allegations of illegal deportation operations along the Greek-Turkish border, the Greek government maintains “ignorance”.