The Greek Government is failing to curtail ongoing widespread anti-Romani abuses by local authorities, particularly in the area of housing, warn local and international human rights groups.

Reports from the Geneva-based Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) and Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) reveal that local authorities in Patras and Chania have destroyed more than 70 Roma homes since July 2006 while more than 200 homes are threatened with eviction.

Jean du Plessis, Executive Director (a.i.) of COHRE, said, “These recent evictions clearly indicate that the Greek government is not taking its international legal obligations seriously and is turning a blind eye to the systemic abuse of the human rights of Roma in Greece. The Government should act immediately to provide secure and appropriate accommodation for all the evicted families, pay compensation for destroyed property and prosecute the local officials and police who carried out the demolitions.”

Nearly 60 Roma homes were demolished in Makrigianni and Riganokampos districts by the Patras municipal authorities since July 2006. The Municipality has claimed that some of the Roma families (varying from 5 to 17 in different statements) have been relocated to rented homes. In actual fact, only a few families were each given compensation of a few hundred Euros and, in some cases, an oral promise of a rent subsidy if they agreed to move out.

The latest illegal eviction took place during the morning of 26 September 2006. Just hours before the visit to the settlements by the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe (COE), Thomas Hammarberg: a family of eight was rendered homeless. On the following day, two Roma were arrested, remanded in custody and taken to court on the next day, for having added protective nylon covers to their homes. They were acquitted by the court. On 12 October 2006, two more Roma were arrested, remanded in custody and taken to court on the next day, for doing repair work on their home. One was acquitted, while the other was referred to the juvenile court.

Panayote Dimitras, spokesperson for GHM, said, Greece continues to forcibly evict Roma families without providing adequate compensation and resettlement despite two rulings of the European Committee of Social Rights in 2005 and 2006, which found Greek policies with respect to housing and accommodation of Roma clearly violate Article 16 of the European Social Charter. It is appalling that a particular ethnic minority – the Roma – are being frequently and systematically targeted for forced eviction, and the Government of Greece has made no initiative to ensure that they have equal access to accommodation.”

Du Plessis of COHRE, said, “COHRE and GHM are concerned about the threatened eviction of over 200 Roma households in the Votanikos district of Athens to make way for the construction of a football stadium. Moreover, the plight of this community is merely one example of the widespread practise of illegal forced evictions of Roma in Greece. Greece’s policy of forcibly evicting Roma communities in a bid to ‘beautify’ and ‘clean up’ the Greater Athens area is inhumane and in violation of international human rights law and the European Social Charter. There is absolutely no excuse for an EU member state to behave in this inhumane and illegal way.”

In an unusual turn of events, local authorities of Patras issued a statement following Thomas Hammarberg’s visit to Greece to interview Roma - attributing comments to him that he never made, which both criticised GHM and congratulated the Patras Municipality.

Dimitras of GHM said, “We call upon the Government of Greece to take immediate action against the Patras Municipal authorities for making false statements on behalf of an international official, which could mislead public opinion and undermine the efforts of the COE.”

For interviews or additional information please contact:

Nathalie Mivelaz

Advocacy Director

Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE)

Tel: +41-22-734-1028

Email: media@cohre.org

Panayote Dimitras

Spokesperson

Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM)

Tel: ++30-210-347-2259;

Email: panayote@greekhelsinki.gr

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