CAT/C/GRC/CO/5-6
in cases where there have been convictions. The Committee notes that this does not
correspond to recent decisions and rulings from international bodies, including the Human
Rights Committee and the European Court of Human Rights, as well as persistent
allegations and extensive documentation received from other sources. The Committee also
reiterates its concern at the continued reluctance of prosecutors to institute criminal
proceedings under article 137A of the Criminal Code and that only one case has resulted in
a conviction under this article. In addition, the Committee shares the concern of the Special
Rapporteur on the question of torture regarding the limited forensic evidence available to
corroborate allegations of ill-treatment amounting to torture (arts. 1, 2, 4, 12 and 16).
The State party should:
(a)
As a matter of urgency, take immediate and effective measures to
prevent acts of torture or ill-treatment, including through public sensitization as well
as the announcement and adoption of a policy that would produce measurable results
in the eradication of torture or ill-treatment by State officials;
(b)
Promptly amend its interrogation rules and procedures, such as
introducing audio or videotaping, with a view to preventing torture and ill-treatment;
(c)
Duly bring to trial alleged perpetrators of acts of torture or ill-treatment
and, if they are found guilty, punish them with appropriate penalties which take into
account the grave nature of their acts.
Excessive use of force by the police
11.
The Committee reiterates its concern at continuing allegations of excessive use of
force by law enforcement officials, often related to policing of demonstrations and crowd
control (arts. 12 and 16).
The State party should take immediate and effective measures to ensure that law
enforcement officials only use force when strictly necessary and to the extent required
for the performance of their duty.
Ill-treatment of undocumented migrants, asylum seekers, minorities and Roma
12.
The Committee expresses its concern at repeated and consistent reports of illtreatment of undocumented migrants, asylum seekers and Roma by law enforcement
officials, including in detention facilities and in the context of regular police checks in the
streets of urban settings, in violation of the Convention. The Committee is also concerned
at information of widespread reluctance by victims to file complaints due to an absence of a
safe complaints mechanism, insufficient number of interpreters, and a lack of trust in
authorities. The Committee further regrets the increase in manifestations of xenophobic and
racist attacks against foreign nationals, irrespective of their status, including by citizens’
groups and far-right groups, according to findings of the quasi-official Racist Violence
Recording Network. Furthermore, the Committee notes with concern that the Muslim
minority in Thrace is the only recognized minority group in the country (arts. 2, 12 and 16).
The State party should strongly combat the increasing manifestations of racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related violence, including by publicly condemning all
such intolerance and motivated violence and sending a clear and unambiguous
message that racist or discriminatory acts, including by police and other public
officials, are unacceptable, and by prosecuting and punishing the perpetrators of such
acts. The State party should also take effective measures to prevent discrimination
against and ensure protection of all minorities, recognized or not, in accordance with
the Committee’s general comment No. 2 (2007) on implementation of article 2 by
States parties. Such measures include an increase in the recruitment from the
minorities to the public administration, including law enforcement agencies.
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