Alarm by Amnesty International: Greece on the “blacklists” of rights!

The warning leaves little room for interpretation. The latest report by Amnesty International on the state of human rights sounds a loud alarm for Greece, placing it within a broader global trend of democratic backsliding and erosion of fundamental freedoms.

This is not about isolated failures. It is about a pattern of systemic weaknesses, where accountability is delayed, responsibility is diluted, and public trust is steadily undermined.

“We are facing the most difficult moment of our time,” warns Secretary General Agnès Callamard, describing a world in which human rights are increasingly subordinated to political expediency.

From tragedy to a crisis of trust

In Greece, two events stand out as defining moments:

• The Tempi train disaster
• The deadly Pylos shipwreck

In both cases, Amnesty International focuses not only on the tragedies themselves, but on something deeper: the slow and uncertain path to justice.

Regarding Tempi, the report points to a “deadly combination of human error and long-standing systemic failures,” highlighting responsibilities that go far beyond individual mistakes.

As for Pylos, serious questions remain over operational decisions and crisis management, with ongoing prosecutions seen as only an initial step rather than full accountability.

Migration and asylum: Rights under scrutiny

The report delivers particularly sharp criticism of Greece’s migration policies.

Key concerns include:

• Suspensions of access to asylum procedures for certain arrivals
• Persistent allegations of illegal pushbacks
• Detention conditions falling short of international standards

Perhaps most troubling is the lack of effective accountability, despite repeated allegations and international scrutiny.

Public space and protest under pressure

Civil liberties within the country also appear strained.

Amnesty highlights:

• Use of police force during demonstrations
• Preventive detentions of protesters
• Restrictions on public gatherings in central locations

“Limiting the right to protest cannot become the norm,” is the underlying message emerging from the report’s findings.

Surveillance scandal: A test for privacy rights

The wiretapping scandal remains a major concern.

Despite some judicial developments, the report notes limited progress in uncovering the full scope of the case, raising questions about:

• The extent of surveillance practices
• Possible involvement of state or private actors
• The effectiveness of oversight mechanisms

Privacy, a cornerstone of democratic governance, appears increasingly fragile.

Gender-based violence and social inequality

Beyond civil and political rights, the report sheds light on social conditions:

• Gaps in prevention and support for victims of gender-based violence
• Insufficient protection for vulnerable groups
• Over a quarter of the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion

The broader picture is one of a society where security—social as well as physical—is not guaranteed.

The global context: A wider crisis

Greece is not examined in isolation. It is part of a global environment marked by:

• Intensifying conflicts
• Weakening respect for international law
• Increasing impunity among powerful actors

“Appeasement in the face of violations fuels further abuses,” Callamard warns, framing the issue on a global scale.

What comes next?

The central question is no longer just what went wrong, but what happens next.

Greece now faces a critical crossroads:

• Strengthen institutions and transparency
• Accelerate justice and accountability
• Reinforce human rights protections

or

• Drift toward a “grey zone” where impunity becomes normalized

Amnesty International’s 2026 report is more than a record of violations. It is a stark warning:

Rights are rarely lost overnight—they erode gradually, until it is too late.

And that process, it suggests, is already underway.

Source: pagenews.gr