GREECE: Persistent violations of children's rights

Summary: The violations highlighted are those issues raised with the State by more than one international mechanism. This is done with the intention of identifying children's rights which have been repeatedly violated, as well as gaps in the issues covered by NGOs in their alternative reports to the various human rights monitoring bodies. These violations are listed in no particular order.

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Trafficking of children

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2012)

Recalling its general comment No. 5 (2003) on the general measures of implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and reiterating its previous recommendation (CRC/C/15/Add.170, 2002, para. 24), the Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its mechanisms for data collection by establishing a national central database on children, and developing indicators consistent with the Convention, in order to ensure that data is collected on all areas covered by the Convention, particularly on violence, trafficking, and sexual exploitation of children, disaggregated, inter alia, by age, sex, ethnic and socio-economic background, and by groups of children in need of special protection. (Paragraph 20)

The Committee recommends that the State party ensure, through adequate legal provisions and regulations, that all children victims and or witnesses of crimes, for example, children victims of abuse, domestic violence, sexual and economic exploitation, abduction, and trafficking and witnesses of such crimes, including those perpetrated by State and non-State actors, are provided with the protection required by the Convention and that it take fully into account the United Nations Guidelines on Justice in Matters Involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime (Economic and Social Council resolution 2005/20 of 22 July 2005, annex). (Paragraph 69)

UN Human Rights Committee
Last reported: 22 and 23 March 2005
Concluding Observations adopted: 31 March 2005

The Committee notes that Greece is a main transit route for trafficking in human beings, as well as a country of destination. While welcoming the efforts made by the State party to fight this scourge, it remains concerned, in particular, about the reported lack of effective protection of the victims, many of whom are women and children, including witness protection mechanisms (arts. 3, 8 and 24).

a) The State party should continue to take measures to combat trafficking in human beings, which constitutes a violation of several Covenant rights, including articles 3 and 24. The human rights of the victims of trafficking should be protected, including by providing a place of refuge as well as an opportunity to give evidence against the persons responsible in criminal or civil proceedings.

(b) The Committee urges the State party to protect unaccompanied alien children and to avoid the unsupervised release of such children into the general population. The absence of child welfare protection increases the danger of trafficking and exposes the children to other risks. The State party should conduct a judicial investigation concerning the approximately 500 children who went missing from the Aghia Varvara institution between 1998 and 2002 and provide the Committee with information on the outcome. (paragraph 10)

UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Last reported: 24 January 2007

While welcoming the various measures implemented to combat trafficking, including the revision of legislation and the adoption of an integrated National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Committee remains concerned about the persistence of trafficking in women and girls and about the insufficient enforcement of legislation on trafficking. (paragraph 21)

The Committee requests the State party to effectively implement the integrated National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. It also calls upon the State party to ensure that legislation on trafficking is fully enforced, in particular by effectively prosecuting and punishing offenders. It also recommends that the State party increase its efforts to prevent human trafficking and provide assistance and support to women victims. (paragraph 22)

Universal Periodic Review (May 2011)

A - 83.34. Increase efforts to prevent trafficking in women and girls and provide support to victims effectively by implementing the integrated National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and fully enforcing the legislation on trafficking (Republic of Moldova); (accepted)

A - 83.37. Continue its efforts to combat transnational child trafficking and exploitation (Republic of Moldova); (accepted)

A - 84.13. Include information about Greece being a country of destination and transit for human trafficking in school curricula at secondary and university levels (Iraq); (accepted)

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Discrimination against children on the basis of religion, particularly in schools

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2012)

The Committee expresses its concerns that schools keep records on the religion of students and that religion is mentioned in the leaving certificate, as well as that when students of the same religion request exemption, acceptance is not always guaranteed.

In light of article 14 of the Convention, the Committee reiterates its previous recommendation (CRC/C/15/Add.170, para.45) that the State party ensure that a child’s religious affiliation, or lack of one, in no way hinders respect for the rights of the child. The Committee recommends to the State party to respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion by taking effective measures to prevent and eliminate all forms of discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief and by promoting religious tolerance and dialogue in the society. (Paragraphs 34 and 35)

UN Human Rights Committee
Last reported: 22 and 23 March 2005
Concluding Observations adopted: 31 March 2005

The Committee is concerned at allegations of discrimination against members of minority religions, including in the field of education. In particular, public school students are required to attend instructional classes in the Christian Orthodox religion and can opt out only after declaring their religion (art. 18).

(a) The State party should take measures to ensure full respect for the rights and freedoms of each religious community, in conformity with the Covenant.

(b) The Committee encourages the State party to hold consultations with representatives of minority religions, in order to find practical ways to permit religious instruction to be given to those desiring such opportunities. Pupils not wishing to attend religious education classes should not be obliged to declare their religion. (paragraph 14)

Independent Export on minority issues
Country visit: 8 to 16 September 2008
Report published: 18 February 2009

Elected Muftis and other community representatives commonly voiced dismay that 240 Imams or Islamic teachers required to teach the Koran in schools and lead prayers, would be appointed by a Committee of five orthodox Greeks with no Muslim members. While this law (Bill 3536) has yet to be implemented, they consider this an inappropriate intervention in the affairs of the Muslim community and religion. (Paragraph 27)

Universal Periodic Review (May 2011)

R - 85.8. Start a dialogue with the NGOs of the Turkish communities in Rhodes and Kos for the solution of their problems in the field of religious freedom and resume Turkish-language education, which has been denied since 1972 (Turkey); (rejected)

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Inadequate system for asylum-seeking and refugee children

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2012)

The Committee notes that according to article 19 of the Law 220/2007, transposing the EU “Reception Conditions” Directive, the Public Prosecutor for minors or, where not present, the competent First Instance Public Prosecutor, will act as a temporary guardian and will take all necessary actions for the appointment of a guardian for each asylum- seeking or refugee child and that the State party’s legislation (Presidential decree 114/2010 on the Greek Asylum Procedure) provides for the possibility of determining an individual’s age, when it is disputed, through medical examinations. The Committee also notes the programme initiated by the State party in cooperation with Frontenex, on screening and briefing, aimed at the determination of age and nationality of asylum seeking and refugee children. However the Committee expresses its concern that the Public Prosecutors either are unable to assign the guardianship to a responsible person or agency, or transfer the guardianship to Directors of the reception centres for minors, and that the duties of the temporary guardian are vague and unclear.

The Committee calls upon the State party to:

(a) Introduce appropriate legislative amendments to the national legislation, to enable the establishment of a functional, substantial and effective guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated minors;

(b) Ensure that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are promptly appointed a legal representative in order to effectively access the asylum procedure, as well as assistance and protection, including access to free interpretation; and

(c) Create a national best interests determination procedure that is complemented by procedural safeguards, in order to guide public and private institutions and administrative authorities in their actions affecting third-country national children. (Paragraphs 61 and 62)

While noting the efforts made by the State party since the consideration of the previous report in 2002, regarding the increase of reception facilities for unaccompanied and/or separated children, as well as the new law 3928/2011 on the establishment of new initial reception centres which supposed to be fully operational in autumn 2012 and will provide screening and accommodation for migrant and unaccompanied children, the Committee reiterates its previous concern at the substandard conditions of reception of unaccompanied and/or separated children.

The Committee recommends that the State party to:

(a) Ensure that children, either separated or together with their families, who enter the country in an irregular manner, are not detained, or remain in detention only in very exceptional circumstances and for the shortest period of time necessary;

(b) Create new reception facilities and increase the number of spaces in already existing structures, while ensuring adequate conditions in those facilities; and

(c) Sign the planned Memorandum of Understanding with the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide assistance to unaccompanied alien minors. (Paragraphs 61 to 64)

UN Human Rights Committee
Last reported: 22 and 23 March 2005
Concluding Observations adopted: 31 March 2005

The Committee is also concerned at the reported neglect of the situation of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum or illegally residing in the country (art. 24).

The Committee recommends that the State party develop a procedure to address the specific needs of unaccompanied non-citizen children and to ensure their best interests in the course of any immigration, expulsion and related proceedings. (paragraph 17)

UN Committee against Torture
Last reported: 22 and 23 November 2004

(c) Training provided to public officials which may be inadequate to provide an appropriate response to the numerous challenges they are faced with, including undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers and victims of trafficking, many of whom are women and children; (Paragraph 5)

Ensure that all personnel involved in the custody, detention, interrogation and treatment of detainees are trained with regard to the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment. Training should include developing skills needed to recognise the sequelae of torture and sensitisation with respect to contact with particularly vulnerable persons in situations of risk; (Paragraph 6)

UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Last reported: 10 and 11 August 2009
Concluding Observations adopted: 24 August 2009

The Committee is concerned about reported cases of ill-treatment of asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants, including unaccompanied children.

The Committee recommends that the State party take more effective measures necessary to treat asylum-seekers humanely and to reduce as much as possible the period of detention of asylum-seekers, in particular children. (paragraph 12)

Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Preliminary findings: 20 October 2010

Overcrowding is one of the main problems leading to such poor conditions of detention, where any meaningful separation of men, women, and children, of migrants and smugglers, or of persons of different ethnic or religious background was impossible. (p5)

Universal Periodic Review (May 2011)

A - 83.77. Continue its efforts to ensure the observance of fundamental rights and international standards in the context of asylum procedures, particularly with regard to the treatment of unaccompanied minors (Argentina); (accepted)

A - 83.78. When reforming the asylum system and migration management, pay special attention to the needs of unaccompanied minors in all processes that pertain to solving their cases, and prevent administrative detention from being a standard practice for new irregular migrants (Slovenia); (accepted)

A - 83.81. Pay special attention to the position of unaccompanied minor immigrants (Netherlands); (accepted)

A - 83.88. Continue efforts aimed at improving the administrative and legal services and the living conditions of irregular migrants and asylum-seekers, especially vulnerable categories, such as women and children (Qatar); (accepted)

A - 83.91. Implement measures to curb abuses against refugees and migrants, including minors, regardless of their immigration status, perpetrated by police authorities, and punish adequately those responsible, so to avoid impunity (Ecuador); (accepted)

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Discrimination against women and girls

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2012)

The Committee notes with regret that some aspects of domestic legislation are still not consistent with the principles and provisions of the Convention and that implementation of existing legislation needs to be improved. The Committee is concerned that the application of Sharia law in some matters of family law within the Muslim community of Thrace is not always compatible with the principles and provisions of the Convention, in particular with reference to the practice of early marriages, despite the efforts taken by the State party to control it, and in matters of inheritance, which discriminates against girls.

The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to ensure that domestic legislation is fully compatible with the principles and provisions of the Convention and has precedence over customary practices, including the application of Sharia law in the Muslim community of Thrace. (Paragraphs 9 and 10)

UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Last reported: 24 January 2007

The Committee notes with concern the persistence of patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and society. These stereotypes present a significant impediment to the implementation of the Convention and are a root cause of violence against women, as well as of the disadvantaged position of women in a number of areas, including in all sectors of the labour market and in political and public life.

The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to bring about changes in traditional patriarchal attitudes and in gender-role stereotyping. Such measures should include awareness-raising and public educational campaigns addressed at women and girls, as well as, in particular, men and boys, with a view to eliminating stereotypes associated with traditional gender roles in the family and in society, in accordance with articles 2 (f) and 5 (a) of the Convention. It also recommends that the State party further clarify the causes of persistent inequality between women and men, including through studies on the institutional rules that reinforce gender-role stereotyping, the specific manifestations of stereotypical ideology in the State party, the costs of placing the burden of homemaking solely on women and the monetary value of women's unpaid labour, and use the insights gained as basis for taking enhanced measures to address these stereotypes. (Paragraphs 13 and 14)

Independent Expert on minority issues
Country visit: 8 to 16 September 2008
Report published: 18 February 2009

Muslim women experience severe inequalities in access to education and consequent disproportionately high levels of illiteracy and unemployment. The application of Sharia law in some instances subjects Muslim women to norms incompatible with the Greek constitution, legislation and international standards, particularly with respect to child marriages. This practice evidently continues with serious implications for the health, well being and life choices of minority women, but regularly goes un-challenged by Greek authorities. (Paragraph 74)

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Limited provision for reproductive health care and education

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2012)

The Committee notes with concern the limited knowledge among adolescents about reproductive health, persistent problems of youth suicides and alcohol, drug and tobacco use by adolescents in the State party.

Referring to its General Comment No. 4 on adolescent health and development, the Committee urges the State party to increase the availability of confidential and youth friendly health services throughout the country, enhance the availability of contraceptive services and promote sex education targeted at adolescent children, with special attention to the prevention of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases and youth suicides. The Committee further calls upon the State party to strengthen its efforts to address drug abuse, alcoholism and tobacco use among adolescents. (Paragraphs 55 and 56)

UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Last reported: 24 January 2007

The Committee is concerned that, due to inadequate access to family planning and contraceptive methods, abortion is often used by women and adolescent girls as a method of birth control. It regrets the lack of data about the incidence of abortion disaggregated by age and ethnic group of the persons undergoing it. The Committee is also concerned about the high number of caesarean sections performed.

The Committee recommends that the State party implement programmes and policies aimed at providing effective access for women, including minority women and adolescent girls, to health-care information and contraceptives, and to family planning services, thus avoiding the need for women to resort to abortion as a method of birth control. The Committee urges the State party to implement programmes of sexual and reproductive health education for men, women and adolescents in order to foster responsible sexual behaviour. The Committee further calls on the State party to implement initiatives, in close consultation with the medical profession, aimed at reducing the number of caesarean sections performed. (Paragraphs 25 and 26)

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Discrimination against Roma children, particularly in access to health care, education and the juvenile justice system

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2012)

While noting some measures taken to address the discrimination against Roma children, such as the adoption of the New National Roma Integration Strategy in 2010 which focuses on education, health, employment and housing, the Committee expresses concern at the persistent discrimination against Roma children, children of Turkish origin, children belonging to the Muslim community of Thrace, and children from groups identifying themselves as belonging to the Macedonian minority, particularly in their access to education and essential services. It is also concerned at the existence of discrimination towards children with disabilities, children in street situations and children of undocumented migrant parents. The Committee is further concerned at the local disparities in different regions of the State party.

In light of article 2 of the Convention, the Committee urges the State party to ensure that all children in the State party enjoy equal rights without discrimination on any ground, and to this end:

(a) Review domestic laws and expeditiously take all measures necessary to ensure that all children in the State party’s territory be treated equally and as individuals;

(b) Ensure that children of Roma origin, children belonging to the Muslim community of Thrace, children of Turkish origin, children from groups identifying themselves as belonging to Macedonian minority, as well as children with disabilities, children with disabilities and children of undocumented migrant parents, have equal access to health and social services and to quality education and that relevant services used by these children are allocated sufficient financial and human resources; and

(c) Enhance monitoring of programmes and services implemented by local authorities with a view to identifying and eliminating disparities. (Paragraphs 26 and 27)

[T]he Committee notes that youth unemployment in the State party is running at 40%, one of the highest rates in Europe, and rising as the economy rapidly shrinks, and that school drop-out rates are increasing among all children, but especially among Roma children, with uncertain development prospects for children neither in school nor working.

The Committee recommends that the State party as quickly as possible conduct an assessment of the effects of the crisis on life prospects and development of children, especially adolescents, with a view to minimising risks to their survival and development. (Paragraphs 28 and 29)

While noting that efforts are undertaken by the State party to ensure equal enjoyment of rights for Roma children, the Committee remains deeply concerned at the negative attitudes, prejudices and discrimination of children of minorities and in particular Roma children, especially with regard to disparities, poverty and their equal access to health, education, birth registration, housing, employment and decent standard of living. The Committee is further concerned at the low rates of enrolment and high rates of drop out of school, and segregation of Roma children in schools.

The Committee urges the State party to:

(a) Strengthen its efforts to remove discrimination and to continue developing and implementing, in close collaboration the Roma community, policies and programmes aimed at ensuring equal access to essential services, in particular, health and education;

(b) Allocate adequate human, technical and financial resources to ensure sustainable improvement in the socio-economic conditions of Roma children;

(c) Initiate campaigns and trainings, at all levels and in all regions, and develop relevant guidelines, aimed at addressing the negative attitudes towards the Roma in society at large, including among police and professionals; and

(d) Develop curricula units for children at school level, including in relation to Roma history and culture, in order to promote understanding, tolerance and respect for the rights of Roma in Greek society. (Paragraphs 70 and 71)

The Committee … expresses its concern:

(f) That in spite of the provisions of the article 126 of the Penal Code, there are cases when Roma children of 9 years old were arrested for petty-theft and their cases were examined without the presence of a lawyer, prosecuted and tried.

In this regard, the Committee urges the State party to:

(e) Conduct a thorough analysis of the over-representation of foreign and Roma children in the juvenile justice system and provide these children with the necessary legal safeguards. (Paragraphs 67 and 68)

Independent Expert on minority issues
Country visit: 8 to 16 September 2008
Report published: 18 February 2009

Many community members of Turkish ethnic origin firmly rejected the government position of identifying three groups within the Muslim minority. One stating: "For us being Muslim and being Turkish are one and the same." However, the Independent Expert met individuals who self-identified as Pomak and Roma who described pressure to speak and learn Turkish instead of Pomak and to identify as Turkish. One described a climate of intimidation and pressure for their children to attend minority schools. Some stated that members of the Pomak and Roma community are discriminated against if they do other than describe themselves as Turkish. (Paragraph 15)

The indipendent expert visited three Roma settlements: near Spata, Aspropyrgos, and in the municipality of St. Varvara.

During the visit to the Spata area it was highlighted that none of the children living in the Roma settlement currently attend school. Following a visit by European Parliamentarians in 2003, a bus was provided to take about 18 children to school, however it ceased operation reportedly due to lack of funds. The settlement is some five kilometers from the nearest school making it extremely difficult for young children to attend without transport provision. One mother stated that her children were refused registration, reportedly on the grounds that the school was full and there are no special facilities for Roma children. She was told that the children should have been registered previously, but she had never been informed of this requirement. (Paragraph 60)

In Psari, Aspropyrgos, education for the settlement's children remains a highly controversial issue and the subject of a European Court of Human Rights judgment. In 2004 Roma children from the Psari, Aspropyrgos Roma settlement were refused registration to attend a local school. Following brief attendance, non-Roma parents objected to the extent that all Roma children were placed in special afternoon classes. After further parent protests, Roma students were removed to a prefabricated annex distant from the main school. In 2006/7 the annex was defaced with racist slogans and destroyed by fire and a Roma pupil was attacked resulting in withdrawal of Roma children from any classes. In June 2008 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the conditions of school enrolment for Roma children and their placement in an annex for special preparatory classes because of their Roma origin, constituted a violation of Articles 14 (prohibition of discrimination) in conjunction with article 2 of Protocol 1 (right to education), and 13 (right to an effective remedy) of the European Convention. To date, Greece has not satisfactorily resolved the situation in compliance with the European Court ruling. (Paragraph 61)

The Independent Expert visited the annex which consists of a fenced, concrete, compound with two metal prefabricated units, one of which is used for teaching. At the beginning of the school year the teaching unit had been repaired following vandalism and had no teaching facilities such as desks and chairs. A permanent security presence is required to guard against further vandalism. It is important to stress that the vandalism was not carried out by the Roma themselves. (Paragraph 62)

At the time of the Independent Expert's visit, Roma children did not have full and equal access to education. The Roma children have been placed in the same "annex" of the main school that was the subject of the European Court judgment, reportedly due to lack of places in the main school and lack of specialist teachers and preparatory facilities for Roma. Community members and civil society representatives believe that pressure from parents and the local authorities, are a significant factor in the children's exclusion. (Paragraph 63)

Ministry of Education representatives acknowledge continuing problems regarding education of Roma. They agreed that significant challenges stem from local authorities and from communities that do not want the Roma to attend mainstream schools, resulting in some cases in "branches" of schools being opened for Roma. They noted their belief that a degree of separate and specialist "catch up" schooling is required prior to Roma children joining the mainstream school system, since there is not a culture of going to school among some communities and children may need assistance to integrate fully. (Paragraph 64)

Many Roma remain in squalid living conditions with their children either in segregated schools or unable to access educational opportunities due to their identity. The European Court of Human Rights has recently issued judgements against Greece in cases where the Court found failures to grant to Roma access to justice as defined by international standards and failure to guarantee the right of Roma children not to be unlawfully segregated into inferior schools. (Paragraph 97)

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Inadequate birth registration

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2012)

While noting measures taken by the State party to facilitate the registration of Roma children at birth, the Committee expresses concern that a persistent number of Roma children are still unregistered. The Committee is also concerned that some children are registered only with his/her parents last name, and the line for the first name remains blank with an abbreviation “AKO” (awaiting baptism), exposing them to stigmatisation and discrimination. The Committee is further concerned at the arbitrary transliteration of Turkish names in the identity cards, which creates problems for persons with such cards while travelling or studying abroad.

In light of articles 7 and 8, the Committee reiterates its previous recommendation (CRC/C/15/Add.170), and calls upon the State party to strengthen all necessary measures to ensure that:

(a) All children are duly registered at birth, including through improvement of the provision of information on, and easier access to, birth registration facilities; and

(b) All children, especially those from disadvantaged groups, are able to be registered under, and make use of, their full original name as chosen by their parents or other legal guardian. (Paragraphs 32 and 33)

UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Last reported: 24 January 2007

The Committee expresses concern about the lack of information on the situation of immigrant women who are unable to obtain birth certificates for their children. (paragraph 31)

The Committee calls upon the State party to take measures in order to ensure that children of immigrant women are provided with birth certificates. (paragraph 32)

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Early marriage

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2012)

The Committee notes with regret that some aspects of domestic legislation are still not consistent with the principles and provisions of the Convention and that implementation of existing legislation needs to be improved. The Committee is concerned that the application of Sharia law in some matters of family law within the Muslim community of Thrace is not always compatible with the principles and provisions of the Convention, in particular with reference to the practice of early marriages, despite the efforts taken by the State party to control it, and in matters of inheritance, which discriminates against girls.

The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to ensure that domestic legislation is fully compatible with the principles and provisions of the Convention and has precedence over customary practices, including the application of Sharia law in the Muslim community of Thrace. (Paragraphs 9 and 10)

UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Last reported: 24 January 2007

The Committee urges the State party to increase efforts to raise the awareness of Muslim women of their rights and of remedies against violations, and to ensure that they benefit from the provisions of Greek law on marriage and inheritance. The Committee call upon the State party to enforce its laws prohibiting early marriages and polygamy and to take comprehensive measures aimed at eliminating these practices, in line with the Greek constitutional order, article 16 of the Convention and the Committee's general recommendation 21 on equality in marriage and family relations.

While welcoming the work of the Research Centre for Gender Equality aimed at supporting Government policy on the promotion of gender equality and the advancement of women, the Committee notes with concern that the results of the studies carried out by the research centre, especially on minority women, have not been included in the State party's report. (Paragraphs 34 35)

Independent Expert on minority issues
Country visit: 8 to 16 September 2008
Report published: 18 February 2009

Muslim women experience severe inequalities in access to education and consequent disproportionately high levels of illiteracy and unemployment. The application of Sharia law in some instances subjects Muslim women to norms incompatible with the Greek constitution, legislation and international standards, particularly with respect to child marriages. This practice evidently continues with serious implications for the health, well being and life choices of minority women, but regularly goes un-challenged by Greek authorities. (Paragraph 74)

Young Roma women typically marry and have several children at a very early age, reportedly as young as 13. Child marriage is considered a tradition, but is also a consequence of lack of education and alternative opportunities. Girls have particularly high school drop out and illiteracy rates, as it is common for them to leave school upon marriage. Young Roma women often beg with their children since most men have irregular incomes. 40 percent gave birth to their first child at the age of 12-16 years and 30 percent of births take place in tents or shacks within Roma settlements. (Paragraph 75)

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Children in street situations

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2012)

The Committee is concerned that the right to health and access to health services is not respected for all children, with regard to the fact that some health services have to be paid in cash and in advance, which may hinder the access to these services especially for Roma children, children of the Muslim community of Thrace, children in street situations, migrant, asylum-seeking and unaccompanied children. The Committee reiterates its concern (CRC/C/15/Add.170, 2002, para.56) at the lack of data on basic national health indicators, at the weaknesses of infrastructure and at the shortage of nurses and social workers for children.

The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that all children have access to health care, giving particular attention to access to health services for Roma children, children of the Muslim community of Thrace, children in street situations, and migrant, asylum-seeking and unaccompanied children. The Committee further recommends that the State party collect data on its basic national health indicators, strengthen its health infrastructure, including through the recruitment of additional nurses and social workers. (Paragraphs 51 and 52)

In light of the Aghia Varvara case, where 502 out of 661 Albanian Roma children reportedly went missing following their placement during 1998 – 2001 in the Aghia Varvara children’s institution, the Committee expresses its serious concern that the State party did not develop an integrated approach to deal with children in street situations. It is particularly concerned at the limited availability and accessibility of social services for the protection and social reintegration of children in street situations, including the insufficient holding capacity of shelters.

The Committee recommends to the State party to:

(a) Undertake a systematic assessment of the situation of children in street situations in order to obtain an accurate picture of the root causes and magnitude;

(b) Develop and implement a national strategy for the prevention of, support to and social integration of children living and/or working on the streets, as well as holistic programmes for children in street situations; and

(c) Increase the number and quality of available shelters and psychosocial rehabilitation centres for children in street situations, equipped with trained personnel and adequate resources;

(d) In coordination with NGOs, provide children in street situations with the necessary protection, including a family environment, adequate health-care services, the possibility to attend school and other social services; and

(e) Support family reunification programmes, when that is in the best interests of the child. (Paragraphs 65 and 66)

Universal Periodic Review (May 2011)

A - 84.12. Take supplementary measures to remedy the situation reported by the NGO ARSIS which would suggest that efforts to reinforce by legislation the fight against exploitation and sexual abuse have not eliminated the problem of child exploitation, in particular for "street children" (France); (accepted)

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