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, on October 24, 1945, and the signing of its Charter. 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 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 and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 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 was adopted. Greece ratified it in 1983.

In 1984, the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment was adopted. Greece ratified it in 1988.

In 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child 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 was adopted. Greece ratified it in 2015.

In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 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 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 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 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.

The Council of Europe (CoE): Has its Headquarters in Strasbourg, France. It is the oldest European political organisation (established by the Treaty of London on 5.5.1949) and its mandate is based on three pillars: Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights. The Council of Europe's (CoE) mission is to "… achieve a greater unity between its members for the purpose of safeguarding and realizing the ideals and principles which are their common heritage and facilitating their economic and social progress." The Organization’s founding members are Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Italy. Currently, it comprises 46 members, while the Holy See, the United States of America, Japan, Canada, and Mexico have been granted observer status. Moreover, Israel, Canada, and Mexico have been granted observer status within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council.

The primary legally binding instrument of the Council of Europe (CoE) is the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), signed in 1950, to which its members (including the 27 EU member states and the United Kingdom) are signatories. Its significance remains pivotal even today; it serves as a standard of reference in the field of human rights’ protection and their legal safeguarding. The European Court of Human Rights monitors the implementation of the ECHR's provisions by its members through the examination of individual or State applications. The European Court of Human Rights is a significant institution that has given the Council of Europe a prominent role as a human rights protection Organization in the European continent, a role that is expected to be further enhanced when the EU accedes to the ECHR.

European Convention on Human Rights-European Court of Human Rights

Undoubtedly, the most significant contribution of the CoE in the field of human rights protection is the European Convention on Human Rights, which was adopted in 1950 and entered into force in 1953. Greece ratified it in 1974. The Convention sets out a number of human rights that member states are legally obligated to guarantee to all persons within their jurisdiction. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), charged with ensuring respect for the obligations of the member states under the Convention, is the most important judicial mechanism for the protection of human rights internationally because of its jurisprudence, which allows for both State and individual applications, provided relevant conditions are met.

Moreover, Greece has an active presence within the Council of Europe’s institutions. In particular:

On 9-10 February 2026, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Alain Berset, paid an official visit to Greece, during which he was received by the Prime Minister, Mr. K. Mitsotakis, and the then President of the Greek Parliament, Mr. K. Tasoulas, while he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. G. Gerapetritis, and with members of the Greek parliamentary delegation to the Council of Europe.

The Greek Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), headed by MP Dora Bakoyannis, consists of seven full and six alternate members. Ms. D. Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis was elected Secretary General of the PACE in January 2021 for a five year term,; the first woman in the history of the CoE to hold this position. Ms Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis re-elected for a second consecutive five year term, for the period March 2026-February 2030.

• The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities includes seven Greek representatives and an equal number of alternates.

Greece and the protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion is protected by Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), while Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) also recognizes the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right is further analyzed into the freedom to choose a religion and the freedom of worship without interference (by the state or private individuals). This right is also safeguarded by Article 13 of the Greek Constitution.

Greece fully respects, protects, and promotes the inalienable right to freedom of religion or belief, not only at the national but also at the international level, through our country's active participation in the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, the Council of Europe, and the EU.

Furthermore, the Strasbourg Principles for Interreligious Dialogue within the Council of Europe (2022) and the Council of Europe Guidelines on Human Rights in Culturally Diverse Societies (2016) emphasize that religion plays an important role in the lives of many people as part of their identity as believers and citizens, and that freedom of thought, conscience and religion is one of the foundations of a 'democratic society', a concept frequently found in the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. We attach particular importance to the core EU text on the issue of religious freedoms, namely the 'EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief' (2013).

A series of Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolutions and UN General Assembly Resolutions (most notably Resolution 36/55 of November 25, 1981) have ratified, strengthened, and consolidated this right. Within the framework of the HRC, there is a Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

The following are noted indicatively: Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Recommendation 1957 on 'Violence against Christians in the Middle East' (2011), PACE Resolution 2036 (2015) on 'Tackling intolerance and discrimination in Europe with a special focus on Christians', PACE Resolution 2076 (2015) on 'Freedom of religion and living together in a democratic society', PACE Resolution 1846 (2011) on 'Combating all forms of discrimination based on religion', PACE Recommendation 1962 (2011) on 'The religious dimension of intercultural dialogue', as well as PACE Resolution 1928 (2013) on 'Safeguarding human rights in relation to religion and belief and protecting religious communities from violence.

Our country participates in the 'International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance' (IRFBA) initiative, the goal of which is to promote respect and protection for the individual right to religious freedom worldwide.

Greece stands in favor of promoting positive education regarding religions, including Christian minorities, and supporting initiatives aimed at fostering the interreligious dimension of dialogue. At the same time, we strongly support the European Union in its efforts to enhance the monitoring of the situation of Christian and other religious communities.

Furthermore, we encourage intercultural and interreligious dialogue, so as to promote a spirit of inclusion and create an open exchange of views that allows individuals and groups to coexist in their diversity—including diversity within religious communities—and to promote the expression of pluralism and mutual respect that characterize a democratic society.