Write for Rights Case Study: LGBTI Rights in Greece

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Greece

Greece is constitutional republic and a multi-party democracy. The constitution and law prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, disability or social status, and there are also anti-discrimination provisions on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. Although these provisions are generally enforced, societal discrimination remains against women, disabled persons, migrants, Roma and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.

Violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

Social disapproval of LGBTI individuals by certain groups in Greece led to violence against LGBT individuals. In 2014 LGBTI non-government organisations reported 5 homophobic or transphobic attacks in Athens. The Ombudsman reported over 280 racist and homophobic attacks over the previous two years. While the law includes sexual orientation and gender identity as aggravating circumstances in hate crimes, crimes targeting sexual orientation or gender identity are not expressly included in the official mandate of offices combating racist violence. LGBT activists have alleged that authorities are not motivated to investigate incidents of violence against LGBT individuals and have criticised the absence of hate crimes training for police.

Developments in the law

The law regulating the work of the police was amended in March 2014 to introduce tougher penalties against police who act arbitrarily against individuals based on a number of grounds including sexual orientation and gender identity.

In September 2014, parliament amended the antiracism/antidiscrimination law to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. However, gender identity is not prohibited as a ground of discrimination in the workplace. These amendments also set stricter penalties for individuals or legal entities convicted of incitement to violence, discrimination, or hatred based on race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

At the ILGA-Europe Annual Conference on 30 October 2015, representatives of the Greek government signed a pledge committing to registered same-sex partnerships, family law reform, legal gender recognition and combating discrimination of LGBTI persons.

Take action

The legal changes in 2014 and the recent pledge to take further steps to eliminate inequality are positive. However, if the laws are not enforced, LGBTI equality will not be achieved. Greece must honour its pledge and ensure that its laws are properly enforced.