GREECE
CONFIDENTIAL
Report by HM Embassy, Athens
General Observations
1. Since the restoration of democracy in 1974, there has been a strong reaction in Greece to the excesses committed during the seven years of the previous military régimes. Overall, her performance since then on the civil rights criteria listed has been very creditable.
Right No.
So far as we know, there is no imprisonment without trial.
(i)
(ii) Torture is not used.
(iii) Slavery does not exist.
Rating suggested by Post
(iv) The press is free, to the point of
irresponsibility.
The Government does lend and grant money to certain newspapers, which constitutes a degree of control over them, and also sometimes brings moral pressure on publishers to play down certain issues in the national interest. Television and radio are owned by the Government which controls the broad lines of broadcasting, but not the details. Government Ministers get disproportionate coverage.
(v) The judiciary is theoretically independent
under the Constitution. In practice this is not entirely the case. There has, for example, been some evidence this year that the Government on the one hand and the press on the other may have indirectly affected judicial decisions.
(vi) Freedom of association is guaranteed by the
Constitution, but there are doubts as to the effectiveness of this provision in practice. The Government has financial control over subscriptions and over the disbursement of union funds. The right to strike has been circumscribed since last May, especially in the public services which includes the bulk of the more advanced union potential.
(vii) There is complete freedom to emigrate.
CONFIDENTIAL
О
О
2
3
4
O
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.