Abstract

International human rights law commands states not to discriminate against members of ethnic, religious, or linguistic minorities. Moreover, the world community expects states to adopt positive measures that give distinct minority identities an equal chance of surviving. Although Greece is a largely homogeneous country, it has always played host to a number of ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups that qualify as minorities under international law. The situation of many of these groups has improved significantly in recent years; however, some inherently discriminatory legislation survives to date and Greek courts continue to issue decisions that occasionally deny equal rights to members of minorities on rather shaky grounds. Moreover, the special rules for the protection of minorities established under the Treaty of Lausanne appear clearly inadequate and unfair today. To ensure full compliance with existing obligations and the current expectations of the international community, the Greek legal system must reconsider its response to the minority question.

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