Human Rights
International Framework on the Protection of Human Rights
Following the devastating World War II (1939-1945), the then-emerging International Cooperation for Peace and Security was manifested in the establishment of the United Nations and the signing of its Charter. The UN was founded on October 24, 1945. In the Preamble of the Charter, as well as in Article 1, reference is made to the Fundamental Rights of Man. Consequently, it is no coincidence that just a few years later, in 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted two very important international instruments: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In particular:
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, from its inception in 1948 until today, remains an international instrument of paramount importance, as it comprehensively encompasses the entirety of basic human rights and ensures their protection. Although it is primarily a political document (not legally binding), its near-universal acceptance by the International Community has made it the foundation and inspiration for subsequent international conventions protecting human rights. More concretely:
In 1965, the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) was adopted. This particular Convention defines the measures States must take to eradicate racial discrimination. Greece ratified it in 1970.
In 1966, the two main instruments implementing the Universal Declaration were adopted, namely the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). They came into force ten years later in 1976. Greece ratified the first Covenant in 1997 and the second in 1985.
In 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted. Greece ratified it in 1983.
In 1984, the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment (CAT) was adopted. Greece ratified it in 1988.
In 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted. This Convention has the support of 196 countries – a record number for such legally binding international instruments. Greece ratified it in 1993.
In 2006, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED) was adopted. Greece ratified it in 2015.
In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted. Greece ratified it in 2012.
Furthermore, at the European level, the following significant human rights protection instruments have been adopted:
- The European Convention on Human Rights was adopted in 1950 within the framework of the Council of Europe. The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg safeguards its implementation.
- The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union was adopted by the 2000 European Council in Nice. It stands as the primary, legally binding instrument regarding the protection of the rights and civil liberties of the citizens of the European Union.
The European Union closely monitors developments in the field of human rights in its relations with third countries and is now integrating this perspective into its bilateral external relations.
Domestic Policy
At the national policy level, besides the aforementioned, Greece has developed and adopted the following Action Plans / National Strategy instruments on various specialized areas of human rights protection:
• National Action Plan for Combating Human Trafficking, for the period 2019 – 2023
• National Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking, for the period 2021 – 2025
• National Action Plan for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, for the period 2021 - 2027
• National Strategy for Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction, for the period 2021 – 2027
• National Action Plan for the Rights of the Child.
• National Strategy and Action Plan for the Social Integration of Roma, for the period 2021 - 2030
• National Action Plan against Racism and Intolerance, for the period 2020 – 2023
• National Action Plan for Gender Equality, for the period 2021 – 2025
• National Strategy for the Equality of LGBTIQ+ persons, for the period 2020 - 2025
• National Action Plan for the protection of Children from sexual abuse and exploitation, for the period 2022 – 2027
• Additionally, the drafting of a National Action Plan against Anti-Semitism is already underway.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its part, is responsible for coordinating the drafting and monitoring of the recently completed National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. This Plan conforms to the Security Council's Agenda on Women, Peace, and Security (Resolution 1325/2000 and subsequent ones) as well as the relevant implementation framework set by the European Union and NATO. The Plan covers the period 2023 – 2028.
Additionally, as regards its engagement with human rights protection issues at the international level, Greece actively participates, inter alia, in the Human Rights Council and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. More specifically:
Human Rights Council: It was established in 2006 by a UN General Assembly Resolution to replace the then Commission on Human Rights. It is based in Geneva and serves as a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly. It constitutes the primary forum for dialogue and collaboration between the International Community and the UN on human rights issues, convening regularly three times a year (March, June, and September). It can also hold extraordinary sessions. It comprises 47 member countries, elected for a three-year term. Greece has submitted its candidacy for election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2028 – 2030, which is indicative of the importance it attributes to such issues and to the need for international collaboration with a view to ameliorating the protection of International Human Rights Law (as detailed above). Greece has launched various initiatives, including the drafting of Resolutions (such as the Resolution on Promoting Human Rights through Sports and the Olympic ideal, the Resolution on the Right to work, and the Resolution on the impact of neurotechnology on Human Rights) and is organizing side events during the Council's sessions in Geneva. Greece cooperates constructively and effectively with all its partners to promote human rights issues of common interest.
Third Committee of the UN General Assembly: Greece is actively participating in the UN Third Committee in New York, taking the lead in drafting and adopting the Resolution on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity at the international level. This Resolution was first introduced in 2013 and, inter alia, designated November 2nd as the "International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists". A similar Resolution is also adopted at Geneva level. Concurrently, Greece participates in the "Groups of Friends for the Safety of Journalists" which have been established within the framework of the UN General Assembly (New York), the Human Rights Council (Geneva), UNESCO (Paris), and the OSCE (Vienna).
In addition to the aforementioned framework (at the UN level), Greece is also actively participating in other intergovernmental cooperation platforms, such as the "Media Freedom Coalition" and the “International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance”, both of which promote thematic human rights.