With this open letter, the undersigned organizations supporting this initiative express
our deep concern about the rise of racism and far-right extremism in Europe,
which jeopardizes the fundamental principles of the European Union. The spread
of nationalism and xenophobia is escalating, while political forces on the far-right fringe
unleash inflammatory rhetoric and contravene fundamental rights in public discourse.

Antiquated ideas about cultural superiority, isolationism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism,
Islamophobia, anti-Black and anti-Roma racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia,
ableism, pervasive malice and historical revisionism are becoming increasingly
prevalent. In response to the insecurity and representation crisis, the far-right – and not
only them – promise hatred and exploit human suffering. At the same time, Southern
European countries, which constitute both the borders of Europe and passage for those
trying to escape war, have a record number of migrant deaths in 2023. In a world rife
with wars and conflicts, the bastion of individual rights and freedoms, the European
Union, is failing to respond. For these reasons, the upcoming European elections are
of paramount importance.

Moreover, the European Parliament, in its resolution on the European Commission’s
report on the state of the rule of law in the EU for 2023, expressed concern about the
weak legal framework and discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals, Roma, and other
minorities. In the same resolution, it calls on the Greek government and all political
forces to take a leadership role and promote social change in this context, especially
regarding domestic violence, police violence, and full equality in marriage, which has
been under discussion for years.

In Greece specifically, we note with concern the phenomenon of racist violence that
continues to threaten the rule of law, the sense of security, and social cohesion. We
highlight the rhetoric of hatred poisoning the public sphere, often emanating from
individuals in institutional positions of responsibility. At the same time, the national
framework for protecting and supporting victims of racist violence remains inadequate.
Illustrative is the progress of the Directive on Victims’ Rights (2012), which, while
incorporated into Greek law in 2017, its implementation remains inadequate,
contributing decisively to the intensification of under-reporting of racist crimes. We
remind that the recent Action Plan of Greece against Racism and Xenophobia
(2020-2023) did not contain sufficient actions and policies aimed at creating an effective
national support and protection system for individuals experiencing
discrimination and racist violence.

Finally, we express our strong concern as, for at least eight months now, the
National Council against Racism and Intolerance (NCRI) has not convened. The
NCRI has a significant institutional role in matters of discrimination elimination as it is
responsible for the corresponding Action Plan. We consider the ongoing delay
unjustified and demand immediate measures to resume its operation.

The issues of discrimination against vulnerable groups in Greece unfortunately remain
relevant and are consistently part of the broader discussion on the problematic Rule of
Law in Greece. We call on the European Parliament and the candidates for Members
of the European Parliament to take initiatives in every possible way to bring about real
change in the issues of racism and discrimination.

The battle against discrimination and racism in Greece and Europe is a battle that
can be won. A battle that must be won.

Athens, March 2024

The following organizations & communities of Civil Society co-sign from Greece and
other European countries:

1. Athens Pride – Φεστιβάλ Υπερηφάνειας Αθήνας
2. Emfasis Non-Profit
3. EQUAL LEGAL AID
4. Golden Dawn Watch
5. HIAS Greece
6. HIGGS
7. HumanRights360
8. INTER ALIA
9. INTERSOS Hellas
10. Legal Centre Lesvos
11. PRAKSIS
12. Project Armonia
13. Proud Seniors Greece – Ομάδα υποστήριξης ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+ ατόμων 50 και άνω
14. RAINBOW FAMILIES – ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΕΣ ΟΥΡΑΝΙΟ ΤΟΞΟ
15. Refugee Legal Support RLS-Athens
16. Samos Volunteers
17. SYMPLEXIS
18. Thessaloniki Pride – Φεστιβάλ Υπερηφάνειας Θεσσαλονίκης
19. Ukrainian Women in Greece / Українки в Греції
20. Velos youth center
21. We Need Books
22. Yoga and Sport with Refugees
23. Αιθιοπικό Κοινωνικό – Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο “Αιθίοψ” – Cultural Centre Ethiops
24. Αλβανική Κοινότητα Ελλάδας – Albanian Community in Greece
25. ΑΝΕΜΟΣ ΑΝΑΝΕΩΣΗΣ – WIND of RENEWAL (social cooperative for social – green
economy)
26. ΑΝΤΙΓΟΝΗ – Κέντρο Πληροφόρησης και Τεκμηρίωσης για τον Ρατσισμό, την
Οικολογία, την Ειρήνη και τη Μη Βία
27. ΑΡΣΙΣ Κοινωνική Οργάνωση Υποστήριξης Νέων – ARSIS Social Organisation for the
support of youth
28. Αφγανική κοινότητα Μεταναστών και Προσφύγων στην Ελλάδα – Afghan Migrants and
Refugees Community in Greece
29. ΒΑΒΕΛ Κέντρο Ημέρας Βαβέλ/Συν-ειρμός ΑμΚΕ Κοιν. Αλληλεγγύης – Babel DC Mental
Health Unit for Migrants Day Care
30. Γεωργιανό Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο Καύκασος – Georgian Cultural Centre CAUCASUS
31. Δίκτυο για τα δικαιώματα του παιδιού – DDP / Network for children’s rights
32. Δίκτυο Χάρτα της Ειδομένης – Charter of Idomeni Network
33. ΔΙΟΤΙΜΑ Κέντρο για τα έμφυλα δικαιώματα και την ισότητα – DIOTIMA Centre for
gender rights and equality
34. ΕΛΙΞ – ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΑ ΕΘΕΛΟΝΤΙΚΗΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ / ELIX – Conservation Volunteers
Greece
35. Ελληνική Ένωση για τα Δικαιώματα του Ανθρώπου-ΕλΕΔΑ – Hellenic League for
Human Rights HLHR
36. Ελληνικό Δίκτυο για την Καταπολέμηση της Φτώχειας – Hellenic Antipoverty Network
37. Ελληνικό Δίκτυο Γυναικών Ευρώπης – Greek Network for Women in Europe
38. Ελληνικό Συμβούλιο για τους Πρόσφυγες – Greek Council for Refugees
39. Ελληνικό Φόρουμ Μεταναστών – Greek Forum of Migrants
40. Ελληνο-Σουδανικός Σύνδεσμος Φιλίας – Greek Sudanese Friendship League
41. Ένωση Αιγυπτίων Εργαζομένων στην Ελλάδα El Rapta – Egyptian Community in
Greece El Rapta
42. Ένωση εργαζομένων Αιθιόπων στην Ελλάδα – Ethiopian Worker
43. Ένωση Ουκρανικής Διασποράς – Ukrainian Diaspora Union
44. ΘΑΛΑΣΣΑ ΑΛΛΗΛΕΓΓΥΗΣ – THALASSA OF SOLIDARITY
45. Ιβοριανή Κοινότητα Ελλάδας – Communauté Ivoirienne de la Grèce
46. ΙΔΡΥΜΑ ΜΑΡΑΓΚΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΥ ((ΙΜΔΑ) –
MARANGOPOULOS FOUNDATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
47. Ίριδα-Κέντρο Γυναικών – Irida Women’s Center
48. Κοινότητα Ουκρανο-Ελληνική Σκέψη – Ukrainian/Greek Thinking
49. Κοινότητα της Γκάνας – Ghanian Community in Greece
50. Κονγκολέζικη Κοινότητα της ΜΠΡΑΖΑΒΙΛ στην Ελλάδα – Congolese Community
Brazzaville in Greece
51. Λέσχη Πακιστανών Δημοσιογράφων Ελλάδας – Pakistan Journalists Association in
Greece
52. ΜΗΔΕΝΙΚΗ ΑΝΟΧΗ, Κίνηση για τη Χειραφέτηση των Αναπήρων – Persons with
Disability [PwD] Emancipation Movement: “Zero Tolerance”
53. Νιγηριανή κοινότητα Ελλάδας – Nigerian Community in Greece
54. Οικολογική Κίνηση Θεσσαλονίκης
55. Οικολογικό Δίκτυο
56. ΟΡΓΑΝΩΣΗ Γη – Organization Earth
57. ΟΡΙΖΟΝΤΕΣ Δίκτυο Νέων Μεταναστευτικής Καταγωγής – HORIZONS Youth Migrants
Network
58. Ουκρανικό Πολιτιστικό-Επιμορφωτικό κέντρο “Μπερεγίνια – Ukrainian Cultural
Educational Centre BEREYINIA
59. Πανελλαδική Συνομοσπονδία Ελλήνων Ρομά – ΕΛΛΑΝ ΠΑΣΣΕ / Pan-Hellenic
Confederation of Roma Greeks HELLAN PASSE
60. Σενεγαλέζικη Κοινότητα Ελλάδας – Senegalece Association of Athens
61. ΣΗΜΕΙΟ για τη μελέτη και την αντιμετώπιση της ακροδεξιάς – SIMEIO researching and
confronting the far right
62. Στέγη Σύρων – Syrian Home Greece
63. Σύλλογος Νιγηριανών Γυναικών – Nigerian Women Organization of Greece
64. Σύνδεσμος Αλβανίδων Γυναικών στην Ελλάδα – Albanian Women in Greece
Association
65. Σωματείο Υποστήριξης Διεμφυλικών ΣΥΔ – Transgender Association in Greece SYD
66. Τεχνοδρομώ – Texnodrom