GREECE-SOGI-TBs-CCPR

Concluding Observations on Report 3 (2024) (Link)

4. The Committee welcomes the following institutional and policy measures taken by the State party:

…(g) The adoption of the National Strategy for the Equality of LGBTIQ+ persons, 2021–2025;…

 

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Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

12. While noting that Law No. 4958/2022 prohibits the performance on intersex minors of medical interventions aimed at modifying their physical sex characteristics, the Committee remains concerned that intersex persons continue to face discrimination from the medical community and derogatory speech online. The Committee is also concerned at reports that the Greek healthcare system still applies the tenth revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, which refers to “transsexualism” as a “gender identity disorder”, rather than following the updated eleventh revision, which refers to “gender incongruity”. The Committee remains concerned about the multiple barriers resulting from the use of those outdated definitions in all areas of transgender persons’ lives, including access to healthcare and equal opportunities in the workplace (arts. 2 and 26).

13. The State party should redouble its efforts to prevent, combat and eradicate discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In particular, the State party should:

(a) Ensure that violence motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity is thoroughly investigated, that those responsible are brought to justice and, if convicted, punished appropriately, and that victims have effective access to legal aid and judicial remedies;

(b) Establish accessible mechanisms for victims to file complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and adopt measures to avoid re-victimization, including by providing training and awareness-raising programmes for law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges and the general public;

(c) Adhere to the eleventh revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems of the World Health Organization to ensure that transgender identities are not pathologized and take steps to ensure that all forms of discrimination are eliminated in healthcare, the workplace and other areas.

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Concluding Observations on Report 2 (2015) (Link)

Sexual orientation and gender identity

11. The Committee remains concerned about the prevalence in society of stereotypes and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons (see CCPR/CO/83/GRC, para. 19). In particular, it is concerned about the lack of an adequate official response to complaints relating to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity (arts. 2 and 26).

12. The State party should intensify its efforts to combat stereotypes and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, including by:

(a) Organizing awareness-raising campaigns aimed at the general public; (b) Providing appropriate training to public officials to end social stigmatization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons;

(c) Ensuring that all reports of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons are promptly and effectively investigated and that perpetrators of violence on the grounds of sexual orientation are prosecuted and sanctioned.

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Concluding Observations on Report 1 (2005) (Link)

5. The Committee welcomes the recent adoption by Parliament of a law on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, religious or other beliefs, disability, age or sexual orientation.

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12. The Committee is concerned at reports of continued discrimination against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation (arts. 17 and 26).

The State party should provide remedies against discriminatory practices on the basis of sexual orientation, as well as informational measures to address patterns of prejudice and discrimination.

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