Press Releases

In October 2025, in the context of the preparation of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Report on the “Human rights of Migrants”, the Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR) submitted a contribution on the situation of the rights of migrant women and men in Greece. HLHR’s contribution reflects the overall state of migrant protection in Greece, based on legislation, administrative practice, case law, and available data.

Appeals by survivors of the tragic shipwreck accepted

Athens, 16 July 2025 [Updated 21 July 2025]: We, the undersigned civil society organisations, condemn the unlawful and impermissible legislative provision adopted by the Hellenic Parliament on Friday 11 July 2025 (Article 79 of Law 5218/2025) which imposes a three-month suspension on the making of asylum applications for people arriving in Greece from North Africa and orders their immediate deportation without registration.

Athens, 14 July 2025 – The Racist Violence Recording Network (the Network) is increasingly concerned by a noticeable shift in public discourse towards xenophobia, racist rhetoric, and diminishing adherence to fundamental principles of the rule of law, in the context of migration and asylum management in the country.

Athens, 19 June 2025

PRESS RELEASE

Two years after the Pylos crime: Developments in the criminal proceedings – Criminal prosecution

On Thursday 19 June 2025, a Press Conference was held at the Athens Bar Association marking the second anniversary of the Pylos crime, the deadliest shipwreck recorded in the Mediterranean in recent years.

The undersigned human rights and humanitarian organizations and trade unions urge the EU to ensure that the ongoing review of Israel’s compliance with article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement be thorough, comprehensive, and credible.

The lawyers representing the survivors and victims of the shipwreck of the fishing vessel “Adriana”, which occurred west off Pylos on 14 June 2023, have been informed of the completion of the preliminary investigation conducted by the competent Deputy Prosecutor of the Piraeus Naval Court, and the criminal prosecution and referral to main investigation on felony charges against 17 members of the Hellenic Coast Guard, including senior officers of its leadership.

PRESS RELEASE: Athens, 18 March 2025

The Hellenic League for Human Rights and the investigative journalism team The Manifold, as part of the “SLAPP Proof” project, are releasing today an awareness and information video about abusive SLAPP lawsuits.

Watch the video and learn how SLAPP lawsuits restrict the right to freedom of expression and access to information while discouraging public participation.

On Tuesday 4 February, a Press Conference on the current state of the Rule of Law in Greece was successfully held at the Athens Bar Association with a significant turnout. The event was organised by the independent organisations Greek Council for Refugees (GCR), Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR), HIAS Greece, Homo Digitalis, Refugee Support Aegean (RSA), Reporters United, Solomon, and Vouliwatch.

The annual report of the European Commission on the state of the Rule of Law is interpreted by the Greek Government as a positive recognition of its policies and actions—a fact that, however, appears to be in stark contradiction with the observations and concerns expressed by international organizations such as the United Nations and the Council of Europe regarding the country’s institutions.

DEMOCRACY WITH NO AIR

The State of the Rule of Law in Greece Today

Tuesday 4 February

Time: 11:00 AM

Athens Bar Association (60 Akadimias St., Athens)

The absence of any investigation into the responsibilities of the competent search and rescue bodies and the leadership of the Coast Guard and the Greek Coast Guard is deafening