Abstract

The experience of the first twelve years of European supervision over the human rights situation in Greece is on the whole rather positive. Various deficiencies--lengthy proceedings, excessive formalism on the part of the courts, the uneasy relationship between church and state, and an occasional lack of respect for the autonomy of the judicial process and the authority of the courts--have been exposed. Corrective measures have been taken. Of course, the European supervisory system has certain limitations; moreover, Greece has not responded to the findings of violation in Strasbourg by embarking upon wide-ranging legislative reforms or by attempting to reshape judges' general perception of their role in protecting civil liberties. However, as employment of the complaints mechanism increases, as Greek governments progressively become more accustomed to international scrutiny, and as Greek judges grow more at ease regarding the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the prospects for the future will improve.

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