The dozens of men, women and children filling the room comprise the new Greek Orthodox Mission Parish of Utah, which formed from the Prophet ...
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How the world sees Greece
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Metropolitan Isaiah makes first visit to new Greek Orthodox Mission Parish of Utah
Hidden Underwater 'Pompeii' Was Just Uncovered Off the Greek Coast
For years archaeologists believed the structures they saw underwater were merely remains of a submerged ancient port. But recent examinations are ...
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Scoop: Craig Robinson's NBC Comedy Adds Greek Grad Spencer Grammer and A to Z's Lenora ...
Former Greek coed Spencer Grammer is going to the head of the class as a series regular in Mr. Robinson, NBC's upcoming Craig Robinson-fronted ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT tvline.com |
DNA analysis to help identify occupant of Amphipolis tomb
by XINHUA After the discovery of a human skeleton at the Amphipolis burial complex in northern Greece this week and the end of this phase of excavations at the archaeological site of the ancient city, the focus of experts has turned to the DNA testing which could help reveal the identity of the “owner” of the magnificent massive tomb. The list of the candidate occupants of the tomb is still extensive. It includes several family members and close aides of Alexander the Great, according to archaeologists. However, lab measurements which could give answers to the riddle, will take up to six months, or even a year, otherwise they may lead to false conclusions, Greek specialists warned, speaking to local media. The skeleton can shed light to the mystery of who was buried in the tomb in the 4th century BC more than the sculptures, the mosaic and any other finding which has been unearthed during the dig since August, they stressed. Therefore the next step for experts includes bone analysis and DNA testing of the remains found. The DNA material will be sent to the Institute for Bimolecular Studies at Manchester University, which is in close cooperation with Demokritos, the Greek lab responsible for the antiquity measurements. According to the director of Demokritos, Yannis Maniatis, the procedures of the DNA testing take time. The most immediate answers that can be given from the DNA analysis can reveal the buried person’s height, sex and age. In addition, the DNA material of the Amphipolis skeleton will be compared with the DNA profile of those buried in the Royal Vergina tomb, to determine whether the person buried in Amphipolis is of royal descent related to the royal family of Vergina. Alexander the Great’s father was among the occupants of the Vergina tombs discovered also in northern Greece four decades ago. In a second phase scientists believe that with the Amphipolis skeleton skull in their hands they could also reconstruct the head of the Amphipolis occupant.
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Beijing Tourism Exhibition in Athens
On November 21, 2014, a delegation aiming to promote tourism in Beijing arrived in Greece to present Chinese culture to Greeks and showcase Beijing’s beauty. Fotis Provatas, Athens City Council President, and Yu Depin, Deputy Director of Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, spoke during the event. What makes this presentation different is the fact that the Beijing tourism organization wishes to present high quality tourist packages and show that Beijing is a safe, open and hospitable city. Beijing, the Chinese capital for several dynasties, is a city full of history but also one of the world’s most modern cities. The organizers stressed that tourists will have the opportunity to attend sports events and cultural festivals, as well as explore the city’s beauty and health sectors, as part of the organization’s new tourist program, entitled “Four seasons sport tour.” Tourists will be able to combine visits to Beijing’s attractions with personal care through traditional Chinese medicine. The Beijing tourism event was also attended by officials from the Chinese embassy in Greece, Greek government officials and local tourism companies, in order to achieve a constructive discussion on tourism industry development, policy issues and culture. The Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development used beautiful postcards to present various tourist packages to local tourist agencies, and provided a unique opportunity for direct contact with Chinese tour operators, so that they may promote Beijing’s high-level tourism market in southern Europe.
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Confrontation Between Protesters and Police in Northern Greece
Tension broke between protesters and police officers in Skouries, northern Greece, on Sunday, November 23. Residents had gathered in order to protest against the area’s gold mines that are polluting the environment. Greek police used chemicals and stun grenades to prevent the crowd from entering the Hellas Gold SA site. The protesters responded by throwing stones at the policemen, while later in the evening, police were chasing protesters through the woods. This, however, is not the first altercation between protesters and police in the area. During a confrontation that took place earlier this year, three people were rushed to the local hospital in order to treat injuries, while police made several arrests.
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Carlsberg to use Greece as regional junction
Danish brewing group Carlsberg is planning to transfer part of its non-Greek production to Greece, as well as to transform this country into a junction ...
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Independent Greeks Decide not to Vote for President of the Hellenic Republic
The two-day Independent Greeks (ANEL) opposition party convention ended on Sunday with a unanimous decision not to vote for the new President of the Hellenic Republic in parliament. Closing the 2nd ANEL party convention, party leader Panos Kammenos said “none of the party MPs will vote for the new President of the Hellenic Republic” and predicted general elections by the end of March, noting that “those who cannot handle it, should get off the ship now.” He noted that he will defend the “red lines” he has drawn and added that he is in favor of a constitutional revision. “It is clear that I will do what’s best for the Greek people; see if with another Greek government things will go better or not,” ANEL MP Panagiotis Melas said in response to a relevant question by Athens-Macedonian New Agency after the party’s convention ended. Earlier, Melas did not vote for his party’s motion “not to vote for a new President of the Hellenic Republic in parliament” but, at the same time, he did not express disagreement with the proposal in question when the convention chairman called on anyone with a different opinion to express it. (source: ana-mpa)
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Greek Police Manhunt Underway for Nightclub Gunman
A police manhunt is underway for the arrest of the man who opened fire at a nightclub in Mikrolimano, Piraeus, Greece, in the early morning hours on Saturday, injuring more than 10 people. Nine of them are still being treated for injuries in their arms and ...
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Biden Meets Patriarch in Turkey
During a trip to Turkey to met top officials, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden paid a visit to Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I. The post Biden Meets Patriarch in Turkey appeared first on The National Herald.
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Golden Visas or Golden Business?
by Monnet Matters Just a week after the news about the European Union’s fiscal paradise hit the front pages of newspapers, another scandal has now erupted. This one shows us just how much injustice and corruption there is at home. The scandal concerns the so-called “golden visas” in Portugal. Not only did the scandal rock the government and damage the ruling PSD (Democratic Social) party’s reputation, it also forced a top government minister to resign. The “golden visa” system is not a Portuguese invention. It’s just that the first scandal related to this questionable form of immigration occurred in Portugal. The “golden visas” are actually five-year-duration Schengen visas (residence permits) that are issued to non-EU nationals who invest in property. It’s a system that is being implemented in several EU member states, especially those that are in close contact with third countries and those struggling to raise revenue to solve some serious financial problems. For example, a third-country (non-EU) national who purchases a luxury apartment or villa – paying the minimum quota established by each particular state – will almost automatically obtain a visa that is valid for five years in all the Schengen states. There is no mention of any kind of control on the origin of the money this person used to make the investment. The only requirement is that the foreign investor is not wanted by Interpol. This visa system existed in some countries even before they joined the EU. Cyprus is just one example where this special visa allowed many Russians, Serbs, Lebanese and Israelis to secure a five-year residence permit. Similar “golden visas” have also been issued by Latvia to rich citizens from the former Soviet states who invested in properties in Riga. Greece, amidst the economic crisis and the implementation of a severe austerity programme required by the troika (the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the European Central Bank), also established a similar system offering visas to foreigners spending more than €250,000 to purchase property in the country. But Portugal was perhaps the most successful in this “business”. Not only did it require foreigners to make a bigger investment (€500,000) in exchange for a “golden visa”, but it also targeted the affluent society of its former colony, Angola. Angola is among the most corrupt countries in the world. The presidential family and other dignitaries of the regime made incredible fortunes, while the majority of the population lives in poverty. Portugal, however, didn’t seem to mind. Portugal didn’t even apply any controls as regards the origin of the wealth because it was quite obvious the Angolan investors were seeking to launder their money. Portugal was only thinking about making a profit. After the system was introduced, Lisbon transformed into a colony of nouveau riche from Angola and maybe some other African states. So did Cascais, a tourist town which is practically an extension of Lisbon. But the system had its first political victim. Portugal’s interior minister, Miguel Macedo, was forced to resign after many high-ranking officials were accused of playing a role in the scandal concerning the ‘offer’ of the “golden visas”. On the one hand, there are thousands of third country nationals who dream about making a tiny investment in an EU country or simply to have a chance to move to the EU in hopes of finding a job and working hard. On the other hand, there are people with ties to organised crime who can do this by laundering their black money. This is a great injustice! It is an injustice for EU citizens. Since every citizen has to declare his income and pay taxes, sometimes really high taxes, it is unfair that some who have never paid a penny in taxes can come and enjoy the same privileges. But it is also a question of public security. There is not a single control in place as regards the origin of the money being used to make the investment in exchange for a “golden visa” and there is an official indifference to the type of businesses these so-called investors will start once in Europe. It is something quite different to grant a visa to a member of a foreign company that invests in an EU member state and creates much-needed jobs and generates wealth.
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Is the Commission breaching the rights of airline passengers?
by Kassandra On 9 October 2013, Commissioner Almunia accepted the take over of Olympic Airways by the other Greek airline company, Aegean. Today, the decision is not yet published (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/case_details.cfm?proc_code=...). Passengers were faced with price increases after the merger, but are still unable to check whether these price hikes were in line with the possible commitments made by Aegean to DG Competition. Such late publication of Commission decisions is very unusual. Normally, decisions are published within a few months once the companies concerned have agreed with the Commission which business sensitive data should be blanked out from the final, public wording. Even if the translation process in all languages takes time, usually the Commission can publish the original language documents. However, this has legal implications. The deadline for interested parties, like the passengers who faced the price hikes, to challenge the Commission decision starts with the publication of the public decision. However, the more time passes, the least probable it is for passengers to obtain any results from a challenge of the decision. An appeal to the EU General Court in Luxembourg lasts more than a year. In the meantime Aegean will be able reorganize its services and pricing. A possible eventual judgement of the Court in favour of passengers could therefore be without effect. The question is therefore whether by delaying the publication of the final decision for such an unreasonable time, the Commission is not breaching the right of the passengers to have the decision reviewed by the Court. In addition, the lateness in publication does not seem in line with the standard of good administration that the EU should comply with and the EU ombudsman should investigate whether there was no maladministration in this case.
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.neurope.eu |
Onassis Foundation Annoyed with EU Rejection of Athens Regeneration Project
Onassis Foundation on Sunday expressed its dismay at the European Commission‘s decision to exclude two regeneration projects from the upcoming EU funding program for Greece , according to a statement. According to Greek media, the European Commission has rejected the inclusion of two projects from its funding program, deeming them unnecessary, claiming that other crucial infrastructure projects have priority. The project for the pedestrianization of Panepistimiou Avenue, named Rethink Athens, was planned by the Foundation, which launched a European architectural tender to choose the best proposal. “A lot of questions are raised about the project’s exclusion from the European Union’s co-funded projects,” the Foundation said in a statement. “The Onassis Foundation did its part in a project designed by the Greek State, but one that concerns the life and prospects of the millions of Athenians and all Greeks. We would like to believe that the courage, will and ability will be mustered so that Athens is not denied its change.” “We wonder who will be responsible for the further deterioration (of life in downtown Athens) caused by the possible annulment of Rethink Athens,” the statement added. Onassis Foundation founded and currently runs a Centre of Cardiac Surgery and the Stegi Cultural Centre in Athens.
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Decaying housing complex sits on Athens prime real estate
A group of people — Greeks, Afghans, Iraqis, Syrians, Bulgarians, Iranians, Turks — gather around a steaming pot outside a dilapidated building ...
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UVA Temporarily Suspends All Greek Life Following Rolling Stone Gang Rape Allegations
On Saturday (November 22), University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan suspended all campus Greek life following an account of a brutal gang ...
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Art Diogenes: Don’t say “Greek!”
Growing up for Art Diogenes has meant cultivating a classier aura than your average Greek eatery.
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.prague-tribune.cz |
PASOK Rejects Papandreou Proposal on Party Leadership Election
PASOK rejected over the weekend a proposal by Former Prime Minister George Papandreou for the party to call an emergency convention and leadership election. After a meeting on Thursday between PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos and his predecessor Papandreou, the latter sent a letter to the party chief, proposing an emergency convention and a subsequent election where party voters would decide on a new leader. He also expressed his disagreement over changing the party’s name to “Democratic Alignment.” In his letter, Papandreou said that today’s PASOK has nothing to do with the mighty party of the past and that it is in its death throes. He implied that the current leadership has no respect for PASOK and that it has forgotten the democratic, progressive principles that made it a great party in the past. He also said that he will honor his parliament seat until the next elections. It is clear that Papandreou wants to be more politically active and that he will refuse to be in the Democratic Alignment ticket. Political analysts say that it is possible that he will start a new party. PASOK’s answer came a day later, in a lengthy and caustic statement, underscoring the hostility between Venizelos and Papandreou. It said that PASOK will move forward for the convention in January 2015, true to the decisions taken in the 2013 party convention. The statement underlined the efforts and sacrifices made by PASOK in the coalition government in order for Greece to come out of the economic crisis. It also indirectly accused Papandreou of trying to destabilize PASOK and of miserable introversion. “We will not allow anyone to disrupt PASOK and the Democratic Alignment,” the statement said. Meanwhile, Venizelos on Friday secured the support of another former PASOK premier, Costas Simitis, for the Democratic Alignment. After the meeting, Simitis’ office commented on the new party, saying it is “a significant step.”
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Bighorn Sheep Escapes Los Angeles Zoo, Dies After Being Struck Near Greek Theatre
A bighorn sheep escaped from the Los Angeles Zoo Saturday and died after it was apparently struck by a hit-and-run vehicle near the Greek Theatre, ...
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Davutoglu: Turkey will be the Primary Consumer of Cyprus’ Gas
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu highlighted on November 22 the importance of using Cyrpus’ natural resources for peace, adding that Turkey would be the primary consumer of gas coming out of the divided island. Davutoğlu made the remarks during a speech at the closing session of the sixth Atlantic Council Energy and Economic Summit in Istanbul. “In Cyprus, if everyone agrees that natural resources around the island belong to the entire island and use these resources in a shared vision towards peace, everyone stands to gain,” he said. “If [the Greek-Cypriots] are seeking to offer these resources, to which Turkish-Cypriots also have a right, to international markets unilaterally, then by the same right we will conduct research in the same area along with the Turkish-Cypriots,” he added. Davutoğlu said that if the two sides sit together and negotiate with a will to reunite the island as soon as possible, Cyprus would become a country on the rise. (source: CNA, cyprus-mail)
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Ancient Settlement Discovered Off Greek Island Of Delos
Researchers knew there were ruins of some sort in shallow waters off the Greek island of Delos, assuming the structures were simply remnants of a port that had been submerged. But a recent examination of the ocean bottom showed it wasn't a port down there ...
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Esther Greek
Esther was born Dec. 4, 1924, to Henry and Anna Tobiason in Cairo, Neb., and was raised in Silver Creek, Neb. She married Maurice Greek, also of ...
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Greece snubs lenders over budget deficit
ATHENS: Greece's government yesterday pushed ahead with plans for a near-balanced budget next year, ignoring objections from its international ...
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BIDEN VISITS GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE IN ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden visited the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul on Sunday. Patriarch ...
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Greek Judge Fights UK Extradition
A former Greek judge convicted in absentia of trial fixing while living in London is fighting extradition, claiming Greece's jails are unfit. The post Greek Judge Fights UK Extradition appeared first on The National Herald.
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Catherine Bergin: Greek life and extra curriculars
Often, Greek Life is seen as the sole priority of its’ members. In order to debunk this stereotype, I interviewed two friends, one theatre major and one art school student, both members of Greek Life. I found out how they balance their incredibly time ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.michigandaily.com |
US VP Biden visits İstanbul-based Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
US Vice President Joe Biden, who is currently on a visit to Turkey, paid a visit on Sunday to the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, located in ...
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Izzat Marji Group Organizes Introductory Trips to Greece and Germany for Top Consultants and ...
During the trips, the consultants and engineers visited the Thermic factory in Greece, in addition to the SolarWorld and SMA factories in Germany.
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.zawya.com |
Greece, Troika Still Far Apart
Pushing ahead with a disputed 2015 budget, Greece and its international lenders are still sparring on how big a fiscal gap there is. The post Greece, Troika Still Far Apart appeared first on The National Herald.
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Populists Challenge European Political Order
With the exception of Greece, where the radical left Syriza movement may take control of the government if there is an election next year, none of the ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.nytimes.com |
Excavations give new look at Macedonians
The gold-decorated iron body armor, sword and shield of ancient Greek King Philip II of Macedon is displayed at the Vergina museum in Greece.
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.heraldnet.com |
Eating Along the A Line: Canal St. stop
Pi Bakerie's beautifully sleek and modern Soho storefront might lead you to believe that this Greek cafe and bakery is part of a much bigger outfit, but ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.nydailynews.com |
UKIP victory sets stage for EU upheaval
Since Greece's runaway debt convulsed the euro region in 2010, Europe has avoided doomsday scenarios like the breakup of the EU, the euro or a ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.japantimes.co.jp |
Marital rape — a myth, seriously?
There seemed to have been two extreme views about sex in the church resulting from a warped Greek view of body (soma in Greek). The basic ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.jamaicaobserver.com |
Never turn down a play date when Greek food is involved
I can remember the first time I met Tessie Varras. My family had just moved into a home off Center Street. I was in the backyard while my mom hung ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT rocketminer.com |
Winter comes early with help at Greek Peak
John Meier and Marc Stemerman, the Elmira businessmen who bought Greek Peak Mountain Resort out of bankruptcy in spring 2013, consulted with ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.pressconnects.com |
Decaying complex sheltering generations of migrants sits on Athens prime real estate
The complex stretches for eight blocks along a central artery of the Greek capital, its crumbling facades an eyesore near the Supreme Court, police ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.themalaymailonline.com |
Does WVU Need a Culture Change?
Its been over a week now since the tragic passing of WVU Freshman Nolan Burch. This incident has put a stop to Greek life on campus and now many ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.wdtv.com |
UVa suspends Greek life, Board of Visitors scheduled to meet in wake of allegations of sexual assault
Protesters stand outside Scott Stadium before the University of Virginia-Miami football game Saturday. Throughout the day, demonstrators gathered at ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.dailyprogress.com |
Greek Archaeologists Open New Chapter at Amphipolis Tomb
AMPHIPOLIS, Greece — Scientists have opened the second phase of their excavation of a vast burial mound in Amphipolis, searching for more tombs ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.nbcnews.com |
University of Virginia suspends Greek groups over sex-abuse scandal
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The University of Virginia is suspending all fraternal organizations until January after a magazine article described in ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.dispatch.com |
Bighorn sheep escapes LA Zoo, killed by hit-and-run driver
It traveled over the hills south, towards the Greek Theatre and into the Los Feliz district, she said. A witness reported that the sheep was hit near the ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.dailynews.com |
Amnesty International: ‘Unlawful Greek Police Violence Must End and Perpetrators Held Accountable’
Amnesty International released a public statement condemning the ‘unlawful practices’ used by the Greek police to control protests in Greece, urging the Greek government to hold perpetrators accountable. The organization describes multiple incidents in which excessive and ‘unlawful’ force was used by the Greek riot police against protesters, students and even journalists, spreading fear among those who want to protest and putting at risk the freedom of speech among other human rights in the country. The statement also mentions the latest ‘unprovoked’ attack by Greek riot police officers on students outside the Athens Polytechnic. The incident was recorded on camera by a witness: Below is the full statement by Amnesty International: Amnesty International is deeply concerned over reports of excessive use of force and misuse of less-lethal weapons against protesters, ill-treatment of bystanders and attacks against photojournalists and journalists by riot police during and after demonstrations in Athens on 13 and 17 November 2014. Amnesty International spoke to seven protesters, one photojournalist, one journalist and one bystander that found themselves at the receiving end of police violence during the latest demonstrations and reviewed audiovisual material and press articles to establish any human rights violations committed. The numerous allegations of excessive use of force received confirm that little action has been taken by Greek authorities to address the culture of abuse and impunity in the Greek police. The organization is particularly concerned by continued attacks against journalists and photojournalists covering protests, which apart from the impact on their rights to physical integrity and to be free from ill-treatment, further have a detrimental effect upon freedom of expression. Amnesty International urges the Greek authorities to put an end to excessive use of force by riot police and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. Allegations of abuses during the policing of the commemorative demonstration for the anniversary of the 1973 student uprising During the commemorative protest of 17 November in Athens for the 41st anniversary of the Polytechnic students’ uprising against the Military Junta in 1973, riot police reportedly used excessive force against a group of peaceful protesters on Vassilisis Sofias Avenue in central Athens and sprayed them with chemical irritants from a close range. A video widely shown in the media documents, amongst other things, a riot police officer, without provocation, pushing a protester who subsequently challenges him verbally; another police officer hitting a peaceful protester with his shield, who apparently tried to intervene; and other riot police officers spraying the protesters with chemical irritants from a very close range. A., a 17 year-old female pupil who has asthma, told Amnesty International that she was walking with a friend during the demonstration, which was peaceful. She then heard a bang in front of them and riot police sprayed her and other protesters, who were standing on a pavement, twice on the face with chemical irritants. A. told Amnesty International: “I told the police that I was feeling unwell and that I was an asthma sufferer. They looked at me and laughed….We felt like burning….Another protester saved my life by dragging me from there and getting me to a fast food shop behind Hilton hotel…” A. was transferred by her father, who was also at the demonstration, to a nearby hospital where she received medical treatment for her breathing difficulties. Later that evening, police including many officers of the DELTA unit on their motorbikes reportedly chased protesters in the Exarheia district of central Athens. During the clashes that ensued, testimonies gathered by Amnesty International and news reports speak of excessive use of force against protesters and bystanders, misuse of less lethal weapons including chemical irritants and stunt grenades, attacks against journalists and destruction of private property. N, an Erasmus student from Germany described to Amnesty International how he was beaten randomly by riot police in the Exarheia district where he had gone with some other students to buy food. N. said: “…It was peaceful but in a few minutes the place was full [of demonstrators and police]… We wanted to go home but the streets we normally take were blocked by police and we were scared of them because some weeks ago we had seen them beating up a man they had arrested… We looked for other streets but they were also blocked and suddenly we heard noises, there were bangs and light. We ran down another street until we noticed that it was also blocked by the police. I lost my friends and stood in a corner, hoping the police would not see me. I saw some policemen look at me and I raised my hands to show that I had no weapons… Then, between five and six officers came towards me and started beating me with their batons…I was lying on the ground, and they kept hitting me, and I was screaming from pain. Then they left me, I was lying in an embryonic position and then some other policemen came to me just to beat me up again…I had no weapons, I was no threat to anyone, I was unmasked, I did not say or provoke them in any way…The thing that makes me so angry is that they tried to hit my face all the time.. They could have easily ruined my eyesight…” N. said that after his beating a man came to his assistance and later on he was transferred by ambulance to Evangelismos hospital. N. was mainly injured in the area between and around the eyes and his nose. Five days after the attack, N. told Amnesty International that he still has a strong headache. In addition, a video widely publicized in the Greek media shows riot police hitting with their batons a man working in a kiosk at Exarheia square after he protested that police officers had taken away some bottled waters from the kiosk without paying. Antonis Diniakos, a journalist from VICE told Amnesty International that DELTA police officers attacked him in the district of Exarheia, while he was recording with his mobile phone an incident of police intimidating some people in the area. The journalist was accompanied by Thanasis Troboukis, VICE’S editor in chief and Lefteris Bidelas, a colleague from Ethnos newspaper, and had gone to the area to cover clashes between police and protesters. Antonis Diniakos described that he was recording the intimidation incident with his mobile phone, when a DELTA police officer hit his leg with the front wheel of his motorbike, seemingly in order to intimidate him. The journalist said that as a result of the pain he felt he pushed with his leg the front wheel of the bike and protested over his treatment. Between two and three police officers then abandoned their motorbikes, ran towards him and threw him to the ground. The journalist said that while he was pushed to the ground one of the police officers fell on him and immobilized him by holding his throat with his hand and he started swearing at him. The police officers left Antonis Diniakos alone only when he and his two colleagues stated that they were accredited journalists. The journalist said that he still suffers from pain on his leg and that the doctors who treated him in the hospital found cuts on his hand and bruises on his back. Allegations of abuses during protests against the Law School lock-out Similar reports of excessive use of force, misuse of less-lethal weapons and attacks against journalists were also received during student protests on 13 November against the decision of university authorities to keep the Law School of the University of Athens closed for the days ahead of the Polytechnic uprising anniversary. Konstantina was among a group of 30 to 40 students who stood outside the Athens Law School entrance on Massalias Street around 8 am that morning in order to protest over the university lock-out. She told Amnesty International that, suddenly, riot police started to push them with their shields and kick the students in order to remove them from Massalias Street. Later that morning, two students sustained serious injuries in what they described to Amnesty International and on national media as an unprovoked attack by riot police in a street near the Athens Law School. Yiannis, one of the two, told Amnesty International that he was attacked by a riot police unit from behind while he was talking on his mobile phone walking along a street next to the Athens University Rectorship Building which is near the Athens Law School. The student told Amnesty International how he was beaten and kicked by riot police, that he was thrown on the ground and that when he attempted to stand up he was hit on his eye with a baton. Some other students, he was walking with were also reportedly attacked by riot police at the same time. Yiannis reported that he suffered cuts and bruises all over his body and an injury on his eye, which was treated at the nearby Eye Hospital. Pictures of his eye injury were widely published by national media. According to information received by Amnesty International, riot police left the scene without providing any medical assistance to the injured students, who were subsequently transferred to the hospital by other students who had run to assist them. Amnesty International received reports of further incidents of police violence against students participating at a demonstration, in the evening of 13 November, against the University lock-out and the police violence around the Law School earlier that day. According to the testimonies received, news reports and supporting audiovisual material, the attack took place at the end of the route of the student demonstration as the students had arrived at the Athens Polytechnic school on Stournari Street and forced open the locked gates in order to have a meeting about further actions over the lock-out. While many students managed to enter the university seeking protection, those who did not were reportedly subjected to police beatings and were sprayed with chemical irritants. Yiannis Liakos, a photojournalist covering the protest, told Amnesty International that a riot police officer hit him on the forehead with a baton while he was taking pictures of the attack against the students in the entrance of the Athens Polytechnic School. Yiannis Liakos described the attack against the students as unprovoked, and explained that riot police sprayed the students with chemical irritants from a short distance and started beating with batons a group of, mainly female, students. According to media reports around 40 protesters sought medical treatment at the hospital following the attack against them on Stournari Street. Investigations Amnesty International understands that criminal and disciplinary investigations started into the reported attacks against the photojournalists and journalists during the demonstrations of 13 and 17 November 2014. The organization also understands that an Athens prosecutor ordered a preliminary criminal investigation into the video showing riot police using excessive force against a kiosk worker protesting for the theft of bottled water. A disciplinary investigation into the incident has also been ordered by the Greek police. However, no investigation has been announced over the reported excessive use of force against the students and other protesters during these demonstrations. Recommendations Amnesty International urges the Greek authorities to: Conduct prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of excessive use of force and human rights violations by law enforcement officials during the demonstrations on 13 and 17 November 2014 and ensure perpetrators are held accountable; Ensure that during the policing of demonstrations force is used only to the extent necessary, and only when non- or less violent means have failed or are unlikely to achieve the legitimate object. Batons and similar impact equipment should not be used on people who are unthreatening and non-aggressive. Where baton use is unavoidable, law enforcement officers must have clear orders to avoid causing serious injury and that the vital parts of the body are excluded as target zones; Prohibit the dispersal of toxic chemical irritants by law enforcement officers that would increase the risk of unnecessary harm or unwarranted injury or death to persons, such as firing a metal cartridge of irritant directly at an individuals, using toxic chemicals in very high concentrations, using irritants in a manner likely to have indiscriminate effects such as when sprat or fired over a wide area, launching such chemicals at or near people who are in confined spaces where exists and ventilation points are restricted, or launching the irritants near elderly people, children or others who may have difficulty in moving away to avoid the dangerous effects of the toxic chemicals; Finally, Amnesty International reiterates its calls for the establishment of a truly independent and effective police complaints mechanism and for riot police officers to wear individual number tags not only on their helmets but also on other parts of their uniform, and which are clearly visible. Background Amnesty International recognizes that policing demonstrations can be challenging and that law enforcement officials are sometimes required to use lawful force to maintain order and prevent crime. However, in carrying out their duties they must adhere to international law and standards. On the use of force, Article 3 of the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials states “[l]aw enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty”. The use of force during non-violent public assemblies should be avoided. Where necessary, it should be restricted to the minimum required for the achievement of the legitimate objective, and in compliance with the principle of proportionality. Toxic chemical are often described as non-lethal but in fact can have lethal effects so are better described as “less-lethal weapons”. Serious and unwarranted injuries can also result from the use of chemical irritants. The irritants rapidly produce “disabling physical effects” through sensory irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract which are supposed to usually disappear within a relatively short time. Physical effects of chemical irritants can include tearing of the eyes, breathing difficulties, coughing, choking sensations, chemical burns, vomiting, suffocation, severe allergic reaction and blistering of the skin depending on the chemical mixtures and concentrations. Thus, chemical irritants should not be used in high concentration. Such weapons can have indiscriminate effects when sprayed or fired in canister over a wide area and can cause panic leading to stampeding so should not be used where people are confined in an area. There are certain contexts in which such weapons should never be used. These include as a means of dispersing a peaceful assembly, where there are older people, children or other who may have difficulty in moving away to avoid the chemicals, or in confined spaces.
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