Vassilis Tsarnas
@vassilistsarnas.bsky.social
Greek Helsinki Monitor & Humanist Union of Greece
Researching: human rights / minority rights / discrimination / hate speech / free speech / secularism / police violence / far-right / rule of law
Queer 🌈🌈🌈
Researching: human rights / minority rights / discrimination / hate speech / free speech / secularism / police violence / far-right / rule of law
Queer 🌈🌈🌈
Pinned
🎈📢 Greek Helsinki Monitor, that has submitted the application, is very satisfied with this seminal #ECtHR judgment that included multiple violations by #Greece for the ill-treatment of 3 #Roma & the multiple flaws of the administrative & criminal investigations. Greek police & 1/
shorturl.at/Bph5Y
shorturl.at/Bph5Y
📣 #Greece While the delayed case against Coast Guard officials for the Pylos shipwreck opens, we see this video showing what we know is a daily reality: Coast Guard thugs trying to drown #RefugeesGr by repeatedly ramming their boat. These are government orders. Not in our name‼️
x.com/ABoatReport/...
x.com/ABoatReport/...
x.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
📣 #Greece While the delayed case against Coast Guard officials for the Pylos shipwreck opens, we see this video showing what we know is a daily reality: Coast Guard thugs trying to drown #RefugeesGr by repeatedly ramming their boat. These are government orders. Not in our name‼️
x.com/ABoatReport/...
x.com/ABoatReport/...
Reposted by Vassilis Tsarnas
Now public: I wrote to the Government of #Greece concerning public statements by Govt officials against human rights organisations working in the field of migration as well as recent restrictions on the right to seek asylum. Regrettably, the Government did not reply.
srdefenders.org/greece-publi...
srdefenders.org/greece-publi...
Greece: public statements against migrants’ rights NGOs and new restrictions on the right to seek asylum (joint communication)
This is the summary of a joint communication sent to the Government of Greece concerning public statements by government officials targeting human rights organisations working in the field of migratio...
srdefenders.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Now public: I wrote to the Government of #Greece concerning public statements by Govt officials against human rights organisations working in the field of migration as well as recent restrictions on the right to seek asylum. Regrettably, the Government did not reply.
srdefenders.org/greece-publi...
srdefenders.org/greece-publi...
#Greece: A Court acquitted a Sudanese refugee accused of "smuggling" & represented by the @gcrefugees.bsky.social, yesterday. ‼️BUT: He had been separated from his family & jailed for 8 months, for steering a sinking, adrift boat, to save all #RefugeesGr on board...
www.facebook.com/share/p/14Pi...
www.facebook.com/share/p/14Pi...
November 20, 2025 at 11:11 AM
#Greece: A Court acquitted a Sudanese refugee accused of "smuggling" & represented by the @gcrefugees.bsky.social, yesterday. ‼️BUT: He had been separated from his family & jailed for 8 months, for steering a sinking, adrift boat, to save all #RefugeesGr on board...
www.facebook.com/share/p/14Pi...
www.facebook.com/share/p/14Pi...
#Greece: The Hellenic League for Human Rights said in a statement today that banning public assemblies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens, violates the Constitution & the #ECHR. Anarchists were recently arrested only for protesting at the spot #FreedomOfAssembly
www.hlhr.gr/agnostos-str...
www.hlhr.gr/agnostos-str...
November 19, 2025 at 12:38 PM
#Greece: The Hellenic League for Human Rights said in a statement today that banning public assemblies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens, violates the Constitution & the #ECHR. Anarchists were recently arrested only for protesting at the spot #FreedomOfAssembly
www.hlhr.gr/agnostos-str...
www.hlhr.gr/agnostos-str...
"Αν σε πιάσουν μπροστά στον Άγνωστο Στρατιώτη με δύο γραμμάρια κόκα στο χέρι θα έχεις μικρότερη ποινή από το αν σταθείς στο ίδιο σημείο με ένα πλακάτ στα χέρια.
Κι αυτό είναι ότι χρειάζεται να ξέρετε για το #ΚράτοςΔικαίου στην #Ελλάδα σήμερα."
x.com/MoscholiouGi...
Κι αυτό είναι ότι χρειάζεται να ξέρετε για το #ΚράτοςΔικαίου στην #Ελλάδα σήμερα."
x.com/MoscholiouGi...
November 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
"Αν σε πιάσουν μπροστά στον Άγνωστο Στρατιώτη με δύο γραμμάρια κόκα στο χέρι θα έχεις μικρότερη ποινή από το αν σταθείς στο ίδιο σημείο με ένα πλακάτ στα χέρια.
Κι αυτό είναι ότι χρειάζεται να ξέρετε για το #ΚράτοςΔικαίου στην #Ελλάδα σήμερα."
x.com/MoscholiouGi...
Κι αυτό είναι ότι χρειάζεται να ξέρετε για το #ΚράτοςΔικαίου στην #Ελλάδα σήμερα."
x.com/MoscholiouGi...
Get Inside, the Cops are Coming: #Roma Families in #Greece are Under Threat |
📢 “Why a [police] team only for Roma? We are scapegoats for the far-right, so the neighborhood can see ‘checks are being done"
📢 "Why should everyone pay?
#Antigypsyism
unicornriot.ninja/2025/get-ins...
📢 “Why a [police] team only for Roma? We are scapegoats for the far-right, so the neighborhood can see ‘checks are being done"
📢 "Why should everyone pay?
#Antigypsyism
unicornriot.ninja/2025/get-ins...
Get Inside, the Cops are Coming: Roma Families in Greece are Under Threat - UNICORN RIOT
In the outskirts of Athens, Roma families live under constant suspicion, struggling for dignity, work, and a place to belong.
unicornriot.ninja
November 11, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Get Inside, the Cops are Coming: #Roma Families in #Greece are Under Threat |
📢 “Why a [police] team only for Roma? We are scapegoats for the far-right, so the neighborhood can see ‘checks are being done"
📢 "Why should everyone pay?
#Antigypsyism
unicornriot.ninja/2025/get-ins...
📢 “Why a [police] team only for Roma? We are scapegoats for the far-right, so the neighborhood can see ‘checks are being done"
📢 "Why should everyone pay?
#Antigypsyism
unicornriot.ninja/2025/get-ins...
Another homophobic attack in #Greece: 2 lesbians/queers, the founders of @OrlandoLGBT_gr, were splashed with water from a passing car in Thessaloniki. “In 2025 Greece [a brief hug].. was enough for them to laugh, curse, and throw water at us."
#homophobia
avmag.gr/nea-omofovik...
#homophobia
avmag.gr/nea-omofovik...
Νέα ομοφοβική επίθεση στη Θεσσαλονίκη
Μια ακόμα ομοφοβική επίθεση σημειώθηκε στη χώρα μας, όταν άγνωστοι πέταξαν με φόρα νερά σε δύο λεσβίες/κουήρ άτομα στη Θεσσαλονίκη.
avmag.gr
November 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Another homophobic attack in #Greece: 2 lesbians/queers, the founders of @OrlandoLGBT_gr, were splashed with water from a passing car in Thessaloniki. “In 2025 Greece [a brief hug].. was enough for them to laugh, curse, and throw water at us."
#homophobia
avmag.gr/nea-omofovik...
#homophobia
avmag.gr/nea-omofovik...
Reposted by Vassilis Tsarnas
Interesting read:
Internal documents obtained by Solomon reveal the EU urged Greece to launch a vaccination campaign against sheeppox. Athens refused — and now the country faces one of its worst livestock crises in decades.
wearesolomon.com/mag/format/i...
Internal documents obtained by Solomon reveal the EU urged Greece to launch a vaccination campaign against sheeppox. Athens refused — and now the country faces one of its worst livestock crises in decades.
wearesolomon.com/mag/format/i...
Greece rejected the EU’s sheeppox vaccine, opting for mass slaughter. The virus is spreading.
The EU urged Greece to launch a vaccination campaign against sheeppox. Athens refused.
wearesolomon.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Interesting read:
Internal documents obtained by Solomon reveal the EU urged Greece to launch a vaccination campaign against sheeppox. Athens refused — and now the country faces one of its worst livestock crises in decades.
wearesolomon.com/mag/format/i...
Internal documents obtained by Solomon reveal the EU urged Greece to launch a vaccination campaign against sheeppox. Athens refused — and now the country faces one of its worst livestock crises in decades.
wearesolomon.com/mag/format/i...
#Greece's Ombudsman on the 2023 deadly #PylosShipwreck: "while criminal charges for several felonies have been brought against the 🇬🇷Coast Guard officers, the competent Ministry insists on abstaining from any disciplinary action, disregarding what the law dictates” #RefugeesGr
1/
1/
November 11, 2025 at 9:55 AM
#Greece's Ombudsman on the 2023 deadly #PylosShipwreck: "while criminal charges for several felonies have been brought against the 🇬🇷Coast Guard officers, the competent Ministry insists on abstaining from any disciplinary action, disregarding what the law dictates” #RefugeesGr
1/
1/
"🇬🇷authorities have always denied any wrongdoing.. Prosecutors.. decided.. that 17members of the 🇬🇷coastguard should face charges.. However, they cleared T. Kontizas.. of blame.. [He] had been appointed coastguard chief a few weeks before.. That decision.. was then challenged by lawyers for survivors"
#Greece: "4 senior figures in the 🇬🇷 coastguard, including its current commander, are to face criminal prosecution for negligent manslaughter in connection with a 2023 migrant boat disaster in which up to 650 people are thought to have drowned." #PylosShipwreck #RefugeesGr
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Greek coastguard chief to be prosecuted over deadly migrant shipwreck
Vice Adm Tryfon Kontizas is one of four senior coastguard figures to face manslaughter charges over the 2023 disaster.
www.bbc.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:37 AM
"🇬🇷authorities have always denied any wrongdoing.. Prosecutors.. decided.. that 17members of the 🇬🇷coastguard should face charges.. However, they cleared T. Kontizas.. of blame.. [He] had been appointed coastguard chief a few weeks before.. That decision.. was then challenged by lawyers for survivors"
#Greece: "4 senior figures in the 🇬🇷 coastguard, including its current commander, are to face criminal prosecution for negligent manslaughter in connection with a 2023 migrant boat disaster in which up to 650 people are thought to have drowned." #PylosShipwreck #RefugeesGr
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Greek coastguard chief to be prosecuted over deadly migrant shipwreck
Vice Adm Tryfon Kontizas is one of four senior coastguard figures to face manslaughter charges over the 2023 disaster.
www.bbc.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:04 PM
#Greece: "4 senior figures in the 🇬🇷 coastguard, including its current commander, are to face criminal prosecution for negligent manslaughter in connection with a 2023 migrant boat disaster in which up to 650 people are thought to have drowned." #PylosShipwreck #RefugeesGr
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Vassilis Tsarnas
"Deafening silence (...) However, so far, prominent Greek politicians from Crete have remained silent: neither Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis nor the main opposition leader, socialist Nikos Androulakis, has made any public comment on the incident."
www.euractiv.com/news/vendett...
www.euractiv.com/news/vendett...
Vendetta killings in Crete reignite fears of blood feud violence | Euractiv
Residents now fear what may happen once the police leave
www.euractiv.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:16 PM
"Deafening silence (...) However, so far, prominent Greek politicians from Crete have remained silent: neither Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis nor the main opposition leader, socialist Nikos Androulakis, has made any public comment on the incident."
www.euractiv.com/news/vendett...
www.euractiv.com/news/vendett...
Reposted by Vassilis Tsarnas
Today is International #RomaniLanguageDay! Romani language is central to Roma identity & culture and is often kept alive through the voices of Roma women. As singer Hilja Grönfors says in my book "THE UNHEARD 12 MILLION": "I hope [Romani] music can open hearts." Learn more: bit.ly/THE-UNHEARD-...
November 5, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Today is International #RomaniLanguageDay! Romani language is central to Roma identity & culture and is often kept alive through the voices of Roma women. As singer Hilja Grönfors says in my book "THE UNHEARD 12 MILLION": "I hope [Romani] music can open hearts." Learn more: bit.ly/THE-UNHEARD-...
#Greece: If this mafia type conflict "was happening even 1/10 as much in [a #Roma neighborhood], today we’d be reading racist outbursts.. & the police would have raided them like hell. But now, it’s “isolated incidents".. “we’re hot-blooded people"."
#Antigypsyism
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jk9...
#Antigypsyism
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jk9...
November 3, 2025 at 8:01 PM
#Greece: If this mafia type conflict "was happening even 1/10 as much in [a #Roma neighborhood], today we’d be reading racist outbursts.. & the police would have raided them like hell. But now, it’s “isolated incidents".. “we’re hot-blooded people"."
#Antigypsyism
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jk9...
#Antigypsyism
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jk9...
Reposted by Vassilis Tsarnas
“Greek investigative outlet Tvxs.gr has uncovered evidence that Intellexa, the company behind the Predator spyware system, held operational training sessions inside the offices of Krikel, a firm involved in sensitive 🇬🇷Greek Police procurements.”
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
Intellexa Conducted Covert Training Sessions Inside Offices of Greek Police Contractor Krikel - Dnews
The Athens trial targets four business figures accused of violating communications privacy laws. A new revelation has added significant weight to concerns over the intersection of private spyware deve...
www.dnews.gr
November 3, 2025 at 1:02 PM
“Greek investigative outlet Tvxs.gr has uncovered evidence that Intellexa, the company behind the Predator spyware system, held operational training sessions inside the offices of Krikel, a firm involved in sensitive 🇬🇷Greek Police procurements.”
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
Reposted by Vassilis Tsarnas
#Greece
97% of citizens consider corruption to be “fairly to very widespread”
92% state that they do not trust the media
86% the political parties
71% the judiciary
65% the government
66% the independent authorities.
Can you consider this a failed state?
www.ekathimerini.com/opinion/1285...
97% of citizens consider corruption to be “fairly to very widespread”
92% state that they do not trust the media
86% the political parties
71% the judiciary
65% the government
66% the independent authorities.
Can you consider this a failed state?
www.ekathimerini.com/opinion/1285...
The crisis of trust in institutions is a wake-up call | eKathimerini.com
The recent survey by KAPA Research reveals a disheartening – but at the same time valuable – message for Greek society: 97% of citizens consider corruption to be “fairly to very widespread” in the cou...
www.ekathimerini.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:18 PM
#Greece
97% of citizens consider corruption to be “fairly to very widespread”
92% state that they do not trust the media
86% the political parties
71% the judiciary
65% the government
66% the independent authorities.
Can you consider this a failed state?
www.ekathimerini.com/opinion/1285...
97% of citizens consider corruption to be “fairly to very widespread”
92% state that they do not trust the media
86% the political parties
71% the judiciary
65% the government
66% the independent authorities.
Can you consider this a failed state?
www.ekathimerini.com/opinion/1285...
📢 #Greece: On October 31 in Exarchia, Athens, the police assaulted a #disabled man, without provocation, using ableist slurs & violence‼️They also attacked others, sitting in bars, in the "context" of a demo passing by. Impunity must end‼️
#Ableism
www.facebook.com/share/v/1FzK...
#Ableism
www.facebook.com/share/v/1FzK...
November 2, 2025 at 11:25 AM
📢 #Greece: On October 31 in Exarchia, Athens, the police assaulted a #disabled man, without provocation, using ableist slurs & violence‼️They also attacked others, sitting in bars, in the "context" of a demo passing by. Impunity must end‼️
#Ableism
www.facebook.com/share/v/1FzK...
#Ableism
www.facebook.com/share/v/1FzK...
Reposted by Vassilis Tsarnas
🛑End impunity for crimes against journalists!
Everyone involved in attacks on journalists must be brought to justice.
👉 Follow #JournalistsMatter campaign
go.coe.int/EQMZc
👉 Follow the Platform on the safety of journalists
fom.coe.int
#IDEI2025 #EndImpunity
Everyone involved in attacks on journalists must be brought to justice.
👉 Follow #JournalistsMatter campaign
go.coe.int/EQMZc
👉 Follow the Platform on the safety of journalists
fom.coe.int
#IDEI2025 #EndImpunity
November 1, 2025 at 8:03 AM
🛑End impunity for crimes against journalists!
Everyone involved in attacks on journalists must be brought to justice.
👉 Follow #JournalistsMatter campaign
go.coe.int/EQMZc
👉 Follow the Platform on the safety of journalists
fom.coe.int
#IDEI2025 #EndImpunity
Everyone involved in attacks on journalists must be brought to justice.
👉 Follow #JournalistsMatter campaign
go.coe.int/EQMZc
👉 Follow the Platform on the safety of journalists
fom.coe.int
#IDEI2025 #EndImpunity
Greek Helsinki Monitor Communication in case of Bekir-Ousta and Others group v. #Greece
#MinorityRights #FreedomOfAssembly
greekhelsinki.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/1...
#MinorityRights #FreedomOfAssembly
greekhelsinki.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/1...
greekhelsinki.wordpress.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Greek Helsinki Monitor Communication in case of Bekir-Ousta and Others group v. #Greece
#MinorityRights #FreedomOfAssembly
greekhelsinki.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/1...
#MinorityRights #FreedomOfAssembly
greekhelsinki.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/1...
#Greece's government, led by PM K. Mitsotakis, has been exercising its authoritarian tendencies for years and as all similar players, they are trying to say it's them or chaos. A poll is now asking this exactly. Mitsotakis or chaos. 30% still chose him but a 42% voted for chaos...
#RuleOfLaw
#RuleOfLaw
October 30, 2025 at 12:27 PM
#Greece's government, led by PM K. Mitsotakis, has been exercising its authoritarian tendencies for years and as all similar players, they are trying to say it's them or chaos. A poll is now asking this exactly. Mitsotakis or chaos. 30% still chose him but a 42% voted for chaos...
#RuleOfLaw
#RuleOfLaw
📢 #Greece: "Masked men from a 🇬🇷 Coast Guard vessel threatened the group at gunpoint, beat them, seized their phones & belongings, and towed their boat back toward 🇹🇷.
Videos showed (...) a man bleeding from his head, a woman from her hand."
#RefugeesGr #PushBacks
Videos showed (...) a man bleeding from his head, a woman from her hand."
#RefugeesGr #PushBacks
October 30, 2025 at 10:56 AM
📢 #Greece: "Masked men from a 🇬🇷 Coast Guard vessel threatened the group at gunpoint, beat them, seized their phones & belongings, and towed their boat back toward 🇹🇷.
Videos showed (...) a man bleeding from his head, a woman from her hand."
#RefugeesGr #PushBacks
Videos showed (...) a man bleeding from his head, a woman from her hand."
#RefugeesGr #PushBacks
📢 "EXCLUSIVE: EU Parliament paid thousands to Greek #neoNazi MEP after criminal conviction
Legal loopholes allowed Ioannis Lagos to remain on Parliament payroll for years after his conviction "
#Greece
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
Legal loopholes allowed Ioannis Lagos to remain on Parliament payroll for years after his conviction "
#Greece
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
EXCLUSIVE: EU Parliament paid thousands to Greek neo-Nazi MEP after criminal conviction | Euractiv
Legal loopholes allowed Ioannis Lagos to remain on Parliament payroll for years after his conviction
www.euractiv.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:59 AM
📢 "EXCLUSIVE: EU Parliament paid thousands to Greek #neoNazi MEP after criminal conviction
Legal loopholes allowed Ioannis Lagos to remain on Parliament payroll for years after his conviction "
#Greece
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
Legal loopholes allowed Ioannis Lagos to remain on Parliament payroll for years after his conviction "
#Greece
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
Reposted by Vassilis Tsarnas
A key witness in Greece's EU farm subsidy scam described disciplinary actions taken against her coinciding with her secondment request to the EU Prosecutor’s Office and her submission of an internal audit to Greece’s Audit Office about the agency’s Crete branch. www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1284...
Fraud, fear alleged at OPEKEPE | eKathimerini.com
A former senior official at Greece’s troubled farm subsidies agency (OPEKEPE) described pressure, threats and what she called “systematic fraud” involving “circular leases” during testimony before Par...
www.ekathimerini.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:05 AM
A key witness in Greece's EU farm subsidy scam described disciplinary actions taken against her coinciding with her secondment request to the EU Prosecutor’s Office and her submission of an internal audit to Greece’s Audit Office about the agency’s Crete branch. www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1284...
This is #Greece' s police. Sending kids to the hospital and not fearing the backlash thanks to years of impunity...
Today Greek riot police used truncheons and tear gas against primary school teachers, parents and children who protested against sudden government decision to merge primary school in middle of school year. Children had to be taken to hospital.
www.news247.gr/ellada/i-ast...
www.news247.gr/ellada/i-ast...
Η αστυνομία έριξε χημικά σε παιδάκια με ζωγραφιές
Σκηνές ακραίας καταστολής έξω από τη Διεύθυνση Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης, με αστυνομικούς να “πνίγουν” με χημικά εκπαιδευτικούς, γονείς αλλά και παιδιά.
www.news247.gr
October 24, 2025 at 11:07 AM
This is #Greece' s police. Sending kids to the hospital and not fearing the backlash thanks to years of impunity...
Reposted by Vassilis Tsarnas
Human rights lawyers have filed a request to probe over 100 officials from European Union institutions and member states to the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing them of committing "crimes against humanity" affecting migrants in the Mediterranean.
www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6765...
www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6765...
Lawyers report EU officials to ICC for 'crimes against migrants'
Human rights lawyers led by Omer Shatz and Juan Branco have filed a request to investigate over 100 officials from European Union institutions and member states to the International Criminal Court (IC...
www.infomigrants.net
October 22, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Human rights lawyers have filed a request to probe over 100 officials from European Union institutions and member states to the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing them of committing "crimes against humanity" affecting migrants in the Mediterranean.
www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6765...
www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6765...