(g)
The ratification by the State party, on 15 May 2002, of the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court.
C. Subjects of concern
47.
The Committee notes that many of the concerns it expressed during the consideration
of the third periodic report (A/56/44, para. 87) have not been adequately addressed, and will be
reiterated in the present concluding observations. Consequently, the Committee expresses its
concern at:
(a)
The absence of data with respect to the practical application of the numerous
new legislative acts and the seemingly insufficient steps undertaken to reduce the gap between
legislation and practice;
(b)
Procedures related to the expulsion of foreigners which in some instances may
be in breach of the Convention. It is also concerned at the low percentage (0.06 per cent) of
persons who were granted refugee status in 2003. The Committee acknowledges that owing to
its geographic location Greece has become an important passageway into Europe for many
immigrants and asylum-seekers, the number of which has increased significantly in the past
decade. The importance of providing an adequate response is therefore all the more pressing;
(c)
Training provided to public officials which may be inadequate to provide an
appropriate response to the numerous challenges with which they are faced, including
undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers and victims of trafficking, many of whom are
women and children;
(d)
The slow progress in adopting a code of ethics and other measures governing the
conduct of police interrogations to supplement the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code,
with a view to preventing cases of torture and ill-treatment, in accordance with article 11 of the
Convention;
(e)
The lack of an effective independent system to investigate complaints
and reports that allegations of torture and ill-treatment are not investigated promptly and
impartially;
(f)
The alleged reluctance of prosecutors to institute criminal proceedings under
article 137A of the Criminal Code. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned at the deficiencies
in according protection from ill-treatment or intimidation to victims to which they may be
exposed as a consequence of filing a complaint or giving evidence;
(g)
The insufficient information available relating to redress and fair and adequate
compensation, including rehabilitation available to victims of torture or their dependants, in
accordance with article 14 of the Convention;
(h)
Continuing allegations of excessive use of force and firearms, including cases of
killings and reports of sexual abuse, by the police and, in particular, border guards. Many of the
victims are reportedly Albanian citizens or members of other socially disadvantaged groups, and
the Committee regrets the fact that disaggregated statistical data in this respect are not available
from the State party;
22
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents