Council of Europe: Damning recommendations for Greece – corruption, Predator, pushbacks
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe approved Resolution 2674 (2026), identifying serious deficits in democracy and human rights in Greece.
Resolution 2674: The Council of Europe turns its attention to Greece
According to In.gr, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe approved on 29 September 2026 Resolution 2674 (2026), which assesses the extent to which Greece fulfils its obligations as a member of the organisation. It is the first such resolution since Resolution 2023 of 2018.
The Council of Europe is the institution that shaped the current European framework for human rights, centred on the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The case law of the ECtHR is binding on Greek courts, as Greece has ratified the ECHR.
Evidence of progress and persistent weaknesses
The resolution acknowledges certain positive developments, such as the ratification of the European Convention on the Prevention of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, as well as individual protocols on human rights. However, the text identifies persistent weaknesses that cast doubt on the country's compliance.
In paragraph 7, the Assembly notes:
"Among other things, causing concern are corruption among senior public officials, government interference in sensitive judicial investigations, legislation that endangers the activities of civil society organisations in the field of migration and asylum, violence against migrants by domestic security forces, as well as the use of Predator spyware against politicians and journalists."
Police violence and lack of independent oversight body
In paragraph 13, the Assembly expresses concern over documented cases of ill-treatment and racist behaviour by police forces, particularly against Roma, as confirmed by ECtHR case law. At the same time, it emphasises that "since 2018, the Greek authorities have still not established an effective and fully independent body to examine complaints against the police".
The Assembly expects Greece to implement compliance measures arising from ECtHR decisions, in particular regarding detention conditions, the lawfulness of detention of foreign nationals, the right to liberty, the enforcement of final domestic decisions, as well as freedom of expression and association.
Tempe and OPEKEPE at the centre of corruption concerns
Special emphasis is placed on combating corruption, with reference to specific pending criminal cases involving elected officials and state officials. In paragraph 17, the Assembly notes that progress must be recorded on the basis of recommendations from the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and calls for transparent management of two cases:
"17.1 the inadequate and delayed implementation of major railway infrastructure works financed by the European Union, which led to the railway disaster at Tempe on 26 February 2023, resulting in the loss of 57 human lives;
17.2 large-scale fraud concerning European Union agricultural subsidies" — the case concerning OPEKEPE.
Constitutional enshrining of the Transparency Authority
The resolution also emphasises that Greece must proceed with the constitutional enshrining of the National Transparency Authority, incorporating it into the Independent Authorities provided for in the Constitution. According to this proposal, the selection of its administration should be carried out by the Conference of Presidents of Parliament with an enhanced majority of three-fifths, in order to guarantee its independence.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is the main body that exerts pressure on governments of member states to comply with principles of democracy and human rights. Its resolutions take the form of recommendations; however, they are directly linked to the supervision exercised by the ECtHR and to the obligations arising from each country's participation in the organisation.
Source: In.gr