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Discrimination law in Elliniko - as in the rest of Greece - aims to protect people from unfair treatment based on characteristics such as gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, political beliefs, and certain family or social status factors. Protections arise from the Greek Constitution, national legislation that implements European Union equality directives, and Greece's obligations under international human rights treaties. Remedies can be civil, administrative, or criminal depending on the circumstances and the seriousness of the conduct.
Discrimination disputes often involve legal complexity, short time limits, and the need to gather evidence and choose the right legal route. People commonly seek a lawyer when they face:
- Workplace discrimination or harassment, including wrongful dismissal, unequal pay, hostile work environment, or failure to make reasonable accommodations for disability.
- Discrimination when accessing housing, education, healthcare, public services, or commercial services such as shops and transport.
- Harassment, threats, assault, or hate speech where criminal sanctions may apply in addition to civil remedies.
- Disputes with public authorities - for example in immigration, social benefits, or administrative procedures - where appeals and administrative remedies are required.
- Situations needing urgent interim measures - for example reinstatement, emergency injunctions, protection orders, or urgent medical or safety measures.
- Negotiations of settlements, representation in court or administrative proceedings, collecting and presenting evidence, and calculating appropriate compensation for non-pecuniary harm.
Key legal points to understand in Elliniko and Greece generally include:
- Constitutional principle of equality - The Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination by public authorities.
- National implementation of EU anti-discrimination directives - Greece has laws that transpose EU directives protecting equal treatment in employment and other areas. These laws provide a legal framework for making claims in employment, access to goods and services, education, and social protection.
- Labour and employment protections - Specific rules apply in the employment context, covering hiring, terms and conditions, promotions, dismissals, and workplace harassment. Labour law procedures and labour courts are commonly used for these disputes.
- Civil liability - Victims may bring civil claims for damages for non-pecuniary harm or breach of rights. Civil claims can seek compensation, declaratory relief, or orders to stop discriminatory conduct.
- Criminal law - Certain acts motivated by prejudice - including threats, physical attacks, and incitement to discrimination or violence - may be subject to criminal prosecution and can attract aggravated penalties if motivated by bias.
- Administrative bodies and remedies - Complaints can be filed with administrative authorities such as the Greek Ombudsman, labour inspectorates, or equality bodies. These can lead to investigations, recommendations, or administrative sanctions.
- International and regional remedies - After exhausting domestic remedies, it is sometimes possible to bring claims to regional bodies such as the European Court of Human Rights or to file complaints with EU bodies concerning violations of EU equality rules.
Unlawful discrimination is when someone is treated less favorably or harassed because of a protected characteristic such as race, sex, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or similar grounds. It can be direct - an explicit adverse action - or indirect - a seemingly neutral rule that disproportionately disadvantages a protected group. Harassment and failure to provide reasonable accommodation for disability may also be unlawful.
Yes. Employment discrimination claims are common. You may be able to pursue remedies through internal grievance procedures, labour inspectors, labour courts, or civil courts. A lawyer experienced in labour and discrimination law can help you choose the correct route, preserve rights, and meet procedural deadlines.
Useful evidence includes written communications, contracts, performance evaluations, witness statements, photos or videos, records of complaints made internally, documentation of medical or psychological harm, and any relevant policies or notices. Time-stamped records and contemporaneous notes are particularly helpful. A lawyer can help secure and preserve evidence.
Yes - procedural time limits often apply. Time limits differ by procedure and forum - for example labour claims, civil claims, criminal complaints, and administrative complaints may each have different deadlines. Because these limits can be short, you should seek legal advice promptly to avoid losing rights.
Potential remedies include compensation for financial and non-financial harm, reinstatement or changes to working conditions, declaratory judgments, orders to stop discriminatory practices, apologies, and administrative sanctions against the wrongdoer. In criminal cases, penalties may include fines or imprisonment depending on severity.
Often it is advisable to use internal complaint procedures to give the employer or organization a chance to remedy the issue. However, in serious cases - for example where there is a risk to safety - or where internal procedures are ineffective, you may proceed directly to external bodies or courts. Consult a lawyer to weigh the best approach.
Retaliation for making a discrimination complaint is generally unlawful. Protections vary by context, but many legal frameworks prohibit adverse treatment for complaining or participating in proceedings. If you face retaliation, document it and seek legal advice, because you may have a separate claim for retaliation.
You can normally raise the matter with the public body involved, the Greek Ombudsman, or other administrative oversight bodies. Criminal conduct should also be reported to the police. For cases involving EU law or human rights, there may be additional domestic or international avenues after domestic remedies are exhausted.
Non-Greek nationals have legal protections against discrimination in Greece. Specific rules may apply in immigration and asylum contexts. NGOs and legal aid providers often help vulnerable migrants and refugees. If you are in this situation, seek legal advice to understand both anti-discrimination protections and any immigration-related implications.
Fees vary by lawyer and case complexity. Some lawyers offer initial consultations at reduced cost. Legal aid may be available for eligible individuals through public legal aid schemes or non-governmental organizations. Trade unions and some NGOs also provide support. Discuss costs, funding options, and fee agreements with a lawyer at the first meeting.
When seeking help in Elliniko consider contacting or researching the following types of organizations and bodies - they can provide information, complaint mechanisms, or referrals to legal assistance:
- Greek Ombudsman - independent authority that investigates complaints about public administration and public services.
- Labour Inspectorate - handles workplace complaints and enforces labour law standards.
- Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs - oversees employment policy and workplace protections.
- National human rights advisory bodies - these may offer guidance or referrals on discrimination matters.
- Local legal aid clinics and bar associations - provide referrals and information about lawyers who specialise in discrimination and employment law.
- Non-governmental organisations - charities and advocacy groups that assist victims of discrimination, migrants, refugees, and minority groups may offer legal advice, counselling, and practical support.
- Police - to report criminal acts such as assault, threats, or hate crimes.
- Courts and administrative tribunals - for filing lawsuits or appeals where formal legal proceedings are required.
If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination in Elliniko, take these practical steps:
- Ensure immediate safety - if you are in danger, call the police or seek emergency assistance.
- Document everything - keep copies of emails, messages, contracts, photos, medical reports, and contemporaneous notes describing dates, times, witnesses, and what happened.
- Use internal complaint channels if safe and appropriate - follow employer or institution grievance procedures while making clear the discriminatory nature of the conduct.
- Seek medical or psychological support if harmed - obtain written medical records to support claims for damages where relevant.
- Contact relevant authorities - for workplace issues this may include the labour inspectorate; for public administration issues contact the Greek Ombudsman; for criminal conduct contact the police.
- Get legal advice early - consult a lawyer experienced in discrimination and employment law to review your options, preserve rights, and meet procedural deadlines.
- Consider support from NGOs or unions - they can offer practical help, advocacy, and sometimes legal assistance.
Acting promptly and keeping careful records will strengthen your position. A specialised lawyer can help you decide the best legal path - negotiation, administrative complaint, civil action for damages, or criminal reporting - based on your goals and the facts of your situation.
