Greece Tables Anti-Racism Bill Negotiations
Greek lawmakers started draft legislation negotiations regarding the Holocaust dismissal and racially motivated assaults.
Discussions are centered around prohibiting Holocaust denial and increasing stricter consequences for racially motivated crimes. A draft legislation vote is planned for later this week.
Speaking to Parliament, Justice Minister Haralambos Athanasiou stated, "We have anti-racism laws already, but the reason they were not applied was that immigrants, for example, were afraid to report the crimes because they did not hold proper travel documents, lived here illegally, and feared deportation", as reported by AP.
Human Rights Watch has supported the efforts, however the organization believes it doesn't promote crime reports by illegal immigrants residing in Greece. The humanitarian organization claimed that it jeopardized, "interference with freedom of expression and association."
Human Rights Watch also commented, "No one should risk prosecution simply for membership in a legal political party," referring to Golden Dawn. Golden Dawn lawmaker Antonis Gregos claimed that the bill is a "Satanic plot".
Related items
- Parliament passes bill establishing private universities in Greece
- State Department: The US is in constant contact with Greece and Ukraine - Blinken expresses gratitude
- Deputy US Special Climate Envoy: We support Greece’s role in diversifying energy sources with its Balkan neighbors
- Bill on postal voting submitted to the relevant committee for processing
- Greece: Gateway for Indian agricultural products to the EU