EU ignoring decline in rule of law in Greece, say rights groups, media organizations

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - The EU has been ignoring a decline in rule of law in Greece, over a dozen major media organizations and rights groups, including the Human Rights Watch, said on Thursday.

In a joint statement, the 14 groups and organizations said the EU Commission's 2024 Rule of Law Report "misleads readers about the state of the rule of law in Greece at a time when media freedom and civic space face dire threats and attacks."

Calling the report "overly positive," they argued that it "starkly contrasts an alarming reality experienced by journalists, activists, and civil society organizations on the ground, and a growing international concern over the deterioration of the rule of law in the country."

The statement said that the report excessively focuses on positive developments, without evaluating them against wider systemic issues and ongoing encroachments in the country. "This raises concerns about the Commission's willingness to confront the depth of the crisis in a European Union member state and uphold the rule of law and fundamental rights in Greece."

It urged the commission to take a stronger stance on safeguarding fundamental rights and democratic values in member states, including by publicly condemning specific instances of press freedom restrictions, civil society crackdowns, or rule of law violations.

"The people of Greece deserve a free press, a vibrant civil society, and a government that respects the rule of law," the groups said.

Also among the 14 signatories of the statement were the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR), Italian think tank Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), Reporters Without Borders, and Transparency International EU.