ATHENS, Greece — Greek legal associations have announced a two-day nationwide strike scheduled for next week in response to a new bill designed to tackle gender-based violence. They argue that the proposed legislation infringes on constitutional principles, particularly the presumption of innocence.
The strike, planned for January 23-24, is being organized by a coalition of bar associations in Greece. They have raised significant concerns regarding the legal implications of the bill and have expressed dissatisfaction over not being involved in the drafting process of the legislation.
This new proposal, introduced in parliament this week, aims to address various forms of abuse that current laws do not cover, including acts such as revenge porn, cyberstalking, and sexual harassment in the workplace.
Among the key features of the bill are enhanced penalties for offenders, including mandatory imprisonment without the possibility of suspension for repeat offenders. Additionally, the legislation seeks to bolster protections for victims, especially minors, from online harassment and looks to introduce electronic monitoring and other restrictions for those found guilty.
The introduction of these reforms coincides with an increasing awareness of domestic violence in Greece, following a government initiative that started last year to create a national network of shelters. Since 2020, police and volunteer organizations have reported a significant increase in allegations of domestic violence, a rise that many attribute to heightened public awareness regarding the support services available.
While the Greek legal associations acknowledge the government’s intentions to address the issue of domestic violence, they have critiqued the proposed legislation as fundamentally flawed. They stated, “The core provisions of the draft law violate the presumption of innocence, the separation of powers, and the principle of proportionality.”
The initiative for a shelter program was propelled by a tragic event from the previous year, where a 28-year-old woman was fatally attacked outside a police station while seeking protection from her former partner.
This legislative effort in Greece aims to bring national laws in line with a forthcoming European Union directive set to take effect in 2024, which mandates comprehensive measures to prevent and address violence against women as well as domestic violence across EU member states. The directive requires countries to criminalize specific offenses, including forced marriages and cyberstalking, and to provide robust support and protection services for victims. Member states must implement these provisions into their national laws by mid-2027.
