Greece
According to the Annual Report of the Racist Violence Recording Network in 2020, via interviews with the victims, 107 incidents of racist violence were recorded with the following characteristics: In 74 incidents the targets were migrants, refugees, or asylum-seekers due to their ethnic origin, religion or/and colour, human rights defenders due to their association with refugees and migrants, as well as shelters or facilities providing other services for the above groups. 40 cases against men (11-48 years old), 1 against a woman (24 years old), 5 against mixed groups of men and women (age range 9-60 years). In relation to labour discrimination, the situation is further aggravated because of racial and gender-based discrimination/violence in the labour market and by employers. In low-status service occupations, such as domestic work, although seen as a means of survival, the working relationships with employers result in dependence, patronage, exploitation and pseudo relations, informal values and perceptions that generate, tolerate and/or reproduce atypical/casual tactics and attitudes towards welfare, marked by emotionally stressful activities. The 2021 National Integration Strategy underlines the need for the social integration of beneficiaries of international protection and the prevention and effective protection from all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse. Goal 1: Introduce a comprehensive framework for the prevention of violence, exploitation and abuse. Objective 1: Strengthen primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of gender-based violence, child abuse and trafficking (starting with first-reception facilities, with emphasis on women and children) (Actions: Cooperation with the competent authorities for timely detection of signs of violence and abuse and referral for intervention and rehabilitation actions including medical services, psychosocial support). Objective 2: Set standards for the protection of women. Objective 3: Fight xenophobia, discrimination and radicalization. Goal 2: Strengthen referral mechanisms for victims of violence, exploitation and abuse (via actions of establishment of standard operating procedures and action protocol for the protection of victims of violence, exploitation and abuse and their referral to the competent Services and Authorities). Objective 1: Ensure an effective response to violence, exploitation and abuse (via mapping available services for victims of violence, exploitation and abuse, grouped by type of support and area). Objective 2: Strengthen state monitoring mechanisms.
References
Department of Public Health Policy/University of West Attica, University of Gent, PRAKSIS, European Public Law Organization, SynEirmos (2018). Report on Good Practices (Deliverable 1.1 LION-Project). Synthesis Report. Report part of project Local Alliance for Integration "776213/LION" (AMIF-2016-AG-INTE). Athens: Department of Public Health Policy/University of West Attica, University of Gent, PRAKSIS, European Public Law Organization, SynEirmos. http://allianceforintegration.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/D1.1-Report-on-best-practices.pdf
This report attempts to present the policy and good practices on the EU-level and the level of EU-member states with particular attention to the case of Greece, regarding the social integration of TCNs through employment, education, health care, social care and intercultural coexistence.
Fouskas, T. and Koulierakis, G. (2022). “Demystifying Migration Myths: Social Discourse on the Impact of Immigrants & Refugees in Greece”, Special Issue of Urbanities, Vol. 12 Supplement 5, 9-28, on Greek Crisis and Inequalities: Anthropological Views guest-edited by Prof. M. Spyridakis.
https://www.anthrojournal-urbanities.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/5-Fouskas-Koulierakis.pdf
This article is based on the analysis of statistical records and media coverage. The discussion focuses on the demystification of negative perceptions, stereotypes and myths regarding immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in urban localities, examining the social discourse on the repercussions of migration in Greek society.
Fouskas, T., Martiniello, M., Koulierakis, G., Economou, C., de Maio, A. and Mine, F. (2020). Annual Report 2019 on Migration and Asylum in Greece: National Report: Part 2 and Statistics Annex. Athens: European Public Law Organization (EPLO)/Hellenic Ministry for Migration and Asylum/European Commission/European Migration Network.
https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/document/download/69914d51-b606-447b-95f3-2e4af9f982a2_en
The Annual Policy Report of 2019 aims at informing the Member-States and the European Commission on all thedevelopments that took place in the year of 2019, in the areas of migration and asylum in Greece.
Racist Violence Recording Network (2021). Racist Violence Recording Network Annual Report 2020. Athens: Racist Violence Recording Network/Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR)/ Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Greece (UNHCR).
https://www.unhcr.org/gr/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/05/ENG_ETHSIA_EKTHESH.pdf
In 2020, the Network recorded an increase in incidents of racist violence, particularly against refugees, migrants and human rights defenders who were targeted due to their affiliation with the above-mentioned groups.