Athens, Greece, 21 June 2023 鈥  Greece must guarantee independent and effective monitoring of violations of the human rights of refugees and migrants to restore the rule of law, following the for an investigation of a push back of refugees by the Hellenic Coast Guard on Lesvos island, . The Greek authorities have entrusted the National Transparency Authority (NTA) with the investigation.

and of ill-treatment by law enforcement bodies should ensure independence, impartiality, thoroughness and victim involvement in line with European and international law standards. Non-compliance of the Greek justice system therewith has led to a series of condemnations against Greece by the European Court of Human Rights, including in the recent cases of , and

However, the investigations carried out so far by the NTA do not comply with effectiveness requirements, as illustrated in the case of investigations into the use of Predator spyware and of the . We recall that the NTA has not yet released its report on the investigation launched in December 2021 regarding the , albeit completed since the end of November according to the Greek government.

Serious concerns as to the effectiveness of the NTA are corroborated by the European Parliament. Its Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee that the Authority 鈥渄oes not seem to be effective and concerns have been raised about its independence鈥, while the urged the Greek government to 鈥渆nsure the independence of the National Transparency Authority (EAD) leadership鈥.

Whereas the European Commission in Greece such as the Fundamental Rights Officer (FRO) of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs recently confirmed that the .

As regards the FRO in particular, we recall the in relation to the body鈥檚 impartiality and effectiveness. The FRO is a single-member administrative body selected by a commission composed by a majority of the competent Ministries of Migration and Asylum, Citizen Protection, and Shipping and Island Policy. Moreover, the , as the legal framework solely refers to 鈥渞eception of third-country nationals and procedures for granting international protection鈥. Finally, seven months after the on 2 December 2022, no information or contact details have been published and secondary legislation specifying his functions and responsibilities has not yet been issued.

Without independent and effective institutions lawfully and credibly investigating human rights violations, Greece cannot guarantee monitoring in line with rule of law principles.