A Human Rights Watch report says the rule of law in Greece has deteriorated, citing government actions that undermine democratic institutions and weaken human rights protections. The findings come amid renewed scrutiny of Greece’s treatment of migrants after 15 people died off the coast of Chios when their boat collided with a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel.
The findings on Greece are part of Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2026, the organization’s annual review of human rights developments around the globe. The flagship report surveys country situations worldwide, assessing trends related to democratic institutions, civil liberties and the protection of fundamental rights over the past year.
The report paints a broad picture of institutional strain, highlighting issues relating to media freedom and state surveillance to civil society restrictions and migration policy.
Rule of Law Under Strain
According to the Human Rights Watch report that was published January 4, longstanding concerns over accountability and institutional oversight have deepened over the past year. The organization points to the government’s handling of the 2023 Tempi train crash as emblematic of broader failings.
Mass protests earlier this year reflected widespread public anger over what many Greeks see as a lack of accountability. A January poll cited in the report found that more than 80% of respondents do not trust the justice system to uncover the truth about the disaster.
The report also highlights concerns raised by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office over Greece’s law on ministerial responsibility, which keeps investigations into alleged crimes by ministers within parliament rather than the ordinary criminal justice system. The Prime Minister indicated recently his intention of revising Article 86 of the Constitution, which regulates the criminal liability of ministers.
Media Freedom and Surveillance
The report also highlights that Greece for the fourth consecutive year, “ranked last among European Union member states in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index”.
It goes on to describe an increasingly hostile environment for journalists, marked by harassment, intimidation, state surveillance and the use of so-called SLAPP lawsuits.
It also mentions the ongoing fallout from the “Predatorgate” spyware scandal. While a trial involving executives linked to the Predator spyware has begun, the report notes that no government officials have been held accountable to date.
Civil Society Pressure
The organization also raises concerns about what it describes as growing pressure on civil society groups, particularly those working on migration issues.
International bodies, including the Council of Europe and United Nations experts, have warned against the criminalization and harassment of human rights defenders in Greece. A proposal that could remove NGOs from an official registry if they challenge government migration policy has drawn particular criticism, as it could limit access to public and EU funding.
Migrants and Asylum Seekers in Focus
Migration policy occupies a central place in the report, a focus made even more urgent by the recent deadly collision off the coast of Chios. Human Rights Watch says that “violations of asylum seekers’ and migrants’ rights continued, including pushbacks, inadequate reception conditions, and a government policy to suspend access to asylum for certain arrivals.”
The organization points to persistent allegations of pushbacks at both land and sea borders, as well as poor living conditions in reception facilities. It also highlights the government’s temporary suspension of access to asylum for people arriving by boat from North Africa, a move widely criticized by international bodies. The U.N. refugee agency and the Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner have said the measure violates international and EU law. In addition the European Court of Human Rights has intervened multiple times, issuing interim measures ordering Greek authorities to grant access to asylum procedures and halt deportations until domestic courts examine the cases.
Meanwhile, arrivals continue. By late November, more than 41,000 asylum seekers and migrants had reached Greece. Local authorities, particularly on the islands, have struggled to manage the influx, with reports of people being housed in makeshift, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.
The report also draws attention to ongoing legal proceedings stemming from the 2023 Pylos shipwreck, in which an estimated 650 people died, according to HRW. Prosecutors have sought felony charges against senior Hellenic Coast Guard officers, including both former and current leadership, in a case that continues to raise broader questions about accountability at sea.
Broader Rights Concerns
Beyond migration, Human Rights Watch highlights persistent gender inequality and gender-based violence, as well as legislative changes restricting surrogacy for male same-sex couples and single men.
It also notes warnings from rights monitors about rising xenophobic rhetoric and continuing concerns over racism and discrimination, including against Roma communities.
