EIN concerned about litigation against the Greek Helsinki Monitor

Photo Credit: EIN

EIN expresses concern about the charges and upcoming trials concerning Panayote Dimitras. Mr Dimitras is the co-founder and spokesperson of the Greek Helsinki Monitor (“GHM”), which is an EIN member. 

Part of the work of the GHM involves reporting to the Greek authorities instances of public incitement to violence or hatred against certain groups. GHM seeks to carry out this work in-line with the standards of the European Convention on Human Rights and EU legislation.

As a result of GHM’s complaints or complaint reports, various prosecutors have pressed charges in more than 150 cases, from which more than 80 were referred to trial. A worrying trend has developed of charges being brought against Mr Dimitras and GHM because of this work.

In February, EIN issued a public statement expressing concern over ‘false accusation’ charges brought against members of GHM. GHM staff had made the authorities aware of highly concerning public comments made by a Bishop, that GHM and the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece viewed to be antisemitic. The authorities pressed charges against GHM for making these reports – a step which was condemned by many international human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Nevertheless, Mr. Dimitras and Ms. Gilbert were convicted at first instance to a suspended imprisonment of twelve months. The trial on appeal is scheduled for 2023.  

EIN is concerned to see that more litigation has been started against Mr Demitras due to his work in reporting allegedly racist statements. He is now facing three new trials for false accusation and aggravated defamation. All three result from complaint reports submitted by Mr Dimitras between 2017 and 2019, highlighting public statements made by two politicians (Kostas Katsikis and Christos Kalyviotis) and a media figure (Yannis Zouganelis), that Mr Dimitras considered to be racist.

These proceedings risk having a chilling effect on Greek civil society, preventing work which seeks to highlight and condemn racist statements. The prosecution of Mr Dimitras is of great concern for EIN, raising important questions about the use of sanctions to punish and silence legitimate human rights work.