On 3 June, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, released a memorandum regarding the human rights of Roma in Greece following his visit to the country from 3 to 7 February 2025. The Commissioner acknowledges the significant efforts made by Greece to improve the human rights situation of Roma communities, particularly through the National Strategy and Action Plan for the Social Inclusion of Roma 2021-2030. He commends the General Secretariat for Social Solidarity and the Fight Against Poverty, as well as regional and local authorities, for their dedication to implementing this strategy. Additionally, he emphasises the crucial role of civil society organisations in empowering Roma communities and advocating for their rights.
Despite the noted progress, the Commissioner emphasises that substantial challenges and systemic issues continue to hinder the full and effective integration of Roma within Greek society. Access to adequate housing and essential services remains particularly problematic, as many Roma reside in inadequate conditions within settlements or segregated neighbourhoods.
To enhance the situation, the Commissioner recommends that Greek authorities expedite the implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan for the Social Inclusion of Roma (2021-2030), with a special focus on the needs of the most vulnerable groups, including women, children, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. He calls for improved coordination among national, regional, and local authorities to ensure the effective implementation of existing policies and to enhance the monitoring of municipalities’ responsibilities in the housing sector. Additionally, he emphasises the importance of developing Local Action Plans in consultation with affected communities and civil society organisations. The Commissioner also urges that all Roma settlements be connected to essential utilities such as water and electricity and recommends refraining from forcibly evicting Roma without providing sustainable and adequate alternative housing solutions.
While recognising positive strides in combatting discrimination, information acquired during his visit indicates that incidents of police violence against Roma are a persistent concern that cannot be dismissed as isolated occurrences. The Commissioner advocates for timely and thorough investigations into all allegations of violence, racism, and discrimination against Roma, particularly by law enforcement personnel, and stresses the necessity of addressing any potential racial motivations. He further recommends enhancing training for law enforcement officers and judiciary members on human rights-compliant policing and collecting and publicly disseminating data relating to disciplinary and criminal investigations of racial profiling, racially motivated police violence, and excessive use of force.
In addition, the Commissioner encourages the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy against hate speech and stigmatising narratives directed at Roma communities, including those propagated by elected officials. He calls for increased support for the Ombudsman’s special mandate to act as a Mechanism for investigating arbitrary incidents. Ultimately, he emphasises the critical importance of implementing the judgments issued by the European Court of Human Rights about the rights of Roma communities.
