Press Releases | Hellenic League for Human Rights

Global Sumud Flotilla: Raid by Israeli forces on a humanitarian mission off Crete

Written on 01/05/2026.

In the early hours of 30 April 2026, the Israeli Navy intercepted vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla sailing off the coast of Crete carrying humanitarian aid. The Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, denounce this raid and call on the Israeli authorities to immediately release all the activists illegally detained, and call on the Greek authorities to act immediately to secure the activists’ safe release.

Find the joint statement in the FIDH’s website here.

The situation of migrants’ rights in Greece – Contribution to the UN Secretary-General’s Report

Written on 18/12/2025.

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.

Pylos shipwreck: Criminal prosecution on felony charges against the current head of the Coast Guard and senior members of its leadership

Written on 14/11/2025.

Appeals by survivors of the tragic shipwreck accepted

The unlawful suspension of access to asylum in Greece must be immediately withdrawn

Written on 16/07/2025.

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.

Concern Over the Worsening Climate Against Refugees and Migrants in Political and Public Discourse

Written on 15/07/2025.

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.

Press Conference: Two years after the Pylos crime

Written on 23/06/2025.

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.

Joint Statement on the EU-Israel Association Agreement Review

Written on 19/06/2025.

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.

PYLOS SHIPWRECK: CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FOR FELONIES AGAINST 17 MEMBERS OF THE HELLENIC COAST GUARD

Written on 26/05/2025.

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.

SLAPP Proof: Awareness & Information Video on SLAPPs

Written on 18/03/2025.

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.

DEMOCRACY WITH NO AIR: The State of the Rule of Law in Greece Today

Written on 04/02/2025.

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.

STRUGGLE FOR ACCOUNTABILIT: The State of the Rule of Law in Greece

Written on 04/02/2025.

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.

PRESS CONFERENCE

Written on 29/01/2025.

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)

Category: Press Releases