The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) maintains very close relationship with NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs), while monitoring very closely the situation regarding civil society space and the protection of human rights defenders.
Greek National Commission for Human Rights
Creating partnerships and joint initiatives with civil society and human rights defenders
Not only prominent NGOs and CSOs form part of the GNCHR Plenary, but the GNCHR also maintains within its premises the Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN). This was established in 2011 by the GNCHR and the Greek Office of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
Today, RVRN consists of 55 NGOs and civil society organisations, which acknowledge and jointly pursue combating racist violence, as well as all racially motivated acts on the grounds of race, colour, religion, descent, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics and disability.
Furthermore, the GNCHR supports and promotes the work of human rights defenders through capacity strengthening activities, sharing best practices, holding training workshops and presenting awards.
In 2018, the GNCHR nominated the Racist Violence Recording Network for the OHCHR Human Rights Prize 2018. Moreover, the NHRI organises annual open seminars on “Education in Human Rights”. Touching on a wide range of human rights issues, these inform the general public and particular target groups, including state institutions and lawyers, on the importance of respecting the work of human rights defenders.
Listen to Dr. Roxani Fragkou, Human Rights Officer at the Greek National Commission for Human Rights, and Garyfallia Anastassopoulou, Assistant Coordinator at the Racist Violence Recording Network, talk about how the Racist Violence Recording Network has contributed to improve the connection among civil society organisations working with victims of racist violence. Subtitles are available.
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