Greece

Greek law currently criminalizes the provocation of, or incitement to, “acts of violence” or “hatred” against specified groups or persons. The law also penalizes the “denial” or “trivialization” of crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes recognized by international bodies. In these respects, Greece is broadly aligned with the continental conception of freedom of expression, bonding civil society to the State and restricting speech that is patently incompatible with the universal concept of human dignity and autonomy or with the principle of equality. The legislation has rarely been enforced but limitations on speech have often drawn public attention. The national legislature has recently taken significant steps which may signify the final turn of Greek democracy to the militant model.