The International Federation for Human Rights reported a series of threats against the legal counsel for the human rights organization Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM), the GHM spokesperson and a member of the General Assembly of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OPHRD).
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) reported two cases of graffiti on Turkish community sites in Asagımahalle and Xanthi; one case of graffiti on the Turkish war cemetery in Athens-Piraeus; an incident where 30 sheep were killed; an arson attack on a cattle shelter; and one case of criminal damage to a tractor.
The Kantor Center reported one case of arson against a synagogue.
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) reported one case of graffiti on the Turkish war cemetery in Athens-Piraeus, one case of destruction of graves at the Muslim cemetery of Pospos. In addition, the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) and the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association reported one case of a pig’s head nailed to the front door of a mosque, and a further case of property damage against a mosque.
OLKE reported one assault against a gay man, resulting in serious injury.
The UN Human Rights Council encouraged Greece to ensure racially motivated crimes are effectively prosecuted and punished.
UNHCR reported 15 physical assaults, four of which involved serious injury and two of which were attacks by a group; one murder; one violent break-in; and one series of attacks in apparent retaliation for the stabbing of a 44-year-old Greek man for his video camera. The attacks were mainly against migrants from Pakistan, Somalia and Bangladesh. In addition, UNHCR’s Network for Recording Incidents of Racist Violence, which includes 18 NGOs, monitored hate crimes in Athens and recorded 30 physical assaults, including 12 physical assaults involving serious injury, five cases of threats, one case of sexual harassment, two cases of damage to property, one case of theft, one attempted physical assault and one case of threats.
UNHCR in Greece, together with the National Commission for Human Rights, set up a Network for Recording Incidents of Racist Violence. Eighteen NGOs and other bodies, including the main human rights and refugee rights organizations, participated in the network. Recognizing the need to use a common and reliable recording tool, the network drafted and adopted a “Racist Incident Record Form”. In October, the network launched a pilot programme aimed at systematically recording racially motivated acts of violence.
UNHCR reported an arson attack on a mosque by a group of people that also included graffiti.