[ALBSA-Info] Freedom of Religion in Greece

[Agron Alibali]

GREECE: URGENT CASE AGAINST EVANGELICALS


> URGENT CASE AGAIST EVANGELICALS 
> 
> 
<<<<

>>>>


> GREEK EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE
> 
> URGENT NEWS RELEASE Athens 30/11/01
> 
> 

Greek Government Attacks Again Evangelical believers in Amaliada


Dear friends and fellow believers


> The Greek Evangelical Alliance calls for help.
> 
> Although it is inconceivable and incomprehensible in the end of the year 2001 peaceful and law -abiding citizens face persecution because of their desire to worship God in an evangelical church. 
> 
> 14 Pentecostal believers are accused of proselytizing and worshiping God without a legal government permit. 
> (If you need more information will provide you with a report from layer V. Tsirbas)
> 
> Greece has been condemned for the above law numerous times in the courts of
> Europe and has had to pay heavy fines. Recent court cases before the European Court of Human Rights have confirmed the need for the Greek government to grant greater freedoms
> to religious minorities. The dictatorial laws of 1363/38 and 1672/39 must
> be abolish . 
> 
> Greece, the state which gave birth to Democracy, should not tolerate laws like the above which clearly oppress the religious freedom of its people. We would like you to call the
> 
international community to protest the Greek government is
actions, which of course are not representing the convictions and spirit of
the overwhelming majority of the Greek people.

Enclosed are the faxes and e mail addresses of the ministries where we feel that letters of protest like the following sample should be sent.


> The Coordinating Committee of the Greek Evangelical Alliance.
> 
> The President
> Dr. Ananias Kabakas
> 
> The General Secretary
> 
Dr. Rev. Argyrios Petrou


To the Prime minister of Greece

e mail: mail at primeminister.gr 
Fax: 0030 1 3238129

Minister of Justice
e mail: minjust1 at otenet.gr
fax: 0030 1 7758742

Minister of Education and Religion
email: edu_ref at ypepth.gr

fax: 0030 1 3233 787 

Sample letter

Dear * * * *,

You know very well that the laws 1363/38 and 1672/39 created by
dictator John Metaxas are a source of expense and hassle for the Greek
authorities. Greece has been condemned and fined by the European Court of
Human Rights because of these laws. The European Union has demanded the
repeal of these laws. Domestic court cases continue to be fought regularly
over whether a religious minority group has the correct license to be a
House of Prayer. These result in wasted time and money for all concerned.

We are writing to urge you to repeal these laws. They discriminate against
religious minorities and they hamper religious freedom. The Greek
Constitution guarantees religious liberty, yet these laws are allowed to
continue in spite of the fact that they are unconstitutional. If the laws
are not repealed, the court cases will also continue, the authorities will
continue to lose, and thus they will continue to be embarrassed in the international community.

Such a harasement of being called to court, damages the reputation of religious
minorities, wastes their time and money, and continues to foster division
and suspicion within Greek society. This is unfair and unconstitutional.

We will be watching with interest another court case, this one to take
place in Amaliada of Peloponnisos on December 4th where several Evangelical believers
will be facing charges of proselytizing, one of them even of his own wife and mother. Obviously we expect that the believers will be declared innocent of any charges, as has happened in
similar cases. 

However, this will not satisfy the international community.
It is essential that the Greek government signal its intention of
repealing these laws, dating from dictatorial times, which clearly infringe
on international human rights laws.

Be assured of our respect for Greece. It is this respect which leads us to
wonder why these infamous laws have not been repealed already.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,
* * * * * * *


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