This is the second of two similar decisions involving the Jehovah's Witnesses and Greece. 2 The oppressive legislation remains on the books.
Treatment of Evangelical Christians during IAAF Competition (1997)An Evangelical Christian group was harassed and attacked by police during the International Amateur Athletic Federation's (IAAF) Track and Field competition. This occurred during the last week of the Athens games which ended on 1997-AUG-10. The victimized group, "More Than Gold" (MTG) established a booth at the stadium, and obtained permission from IAAF officials to distribute a leaflet which contained a schedule of events, stories of Christian athletes, and an advertisement for the Athens '97 games. On the third day of the games, the police stormed the booth and forced the volunteers off the Olympic stadium premises. The police gave no indication why they did this, other than to say that they were simply following orders. During the remaining week of the games, the MTG leaders were "endlessly harassed, pushed, and even followed home by plainclothes police." A local human rights group offered to let the MTG volunteers pass out the literature at their booths, but the police again forced them off the stadium grounds. The police later roughed them up physically, and refused to identify themselves when asked to do so. The MTG had arranged for a performance by a Seattle WA musical group Scarlet Journey The police ordered the group to leave the stage, angering the audience. MTG representative Johnathan Macris blamed the state church for the victimization. "The Greek Orthodox Church has tremendous influence in keeping evangelical Christians from sharing their faith in Jesus Christ with the people of Greece, despite the fact that Greece takes great pride in calling itself a Christian nation. This is a sad commentary for our country which boasts a heritage of tolerance and free expression."
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Treatment of Evangelical Christians Under Anti-proselytism law (1992)The military court of the Greek Air Force found three of their officers Mr. Dimitrios Larissis, Mr. Savvas Mandalarides and Mr. Ioannis Sarandis guilty of proselytism. They were given sentences of about 12 months duration, which were converted into fines and then suspended if the officers did not commit any further offenses during the next three years. All three are members of a Pentecostal group which stress the importance of the "Great Commission:" attempting to convert non-Christians to their faith. They were found guilty of violating a country-wide anti-proselytism law on 1992-MAY-18. Their convictions were upheld on appeal, by the Courts-Martial Appeal Court 1992-OCT-7. However their sentences were slightly reduced. Section 4 of Greek Law No. 1363/38, as amended by Law No. 1672/39, states:
1,000 drachmas is worth about $3.50 US; 50,000 drachmas is worth about $175 Article 13, Phrase 2 of the Greek Constitution states:
The European Human Rights Commission brought their case before the European Court of Human Rights in 1997-SEP. They argued that the Greek laws had been unfairly applied, in order to protect the interests of the Greek Orthodox Church. The court delivered its judgment on 1998-FEB-24. 5 The Greek state was found guilty of violating Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Judge DeMeyer concluded that "The law in issue in the present case is contrary to the Convention in its very principle, since it directly encroaches on the very essence of the freedom everyone must have to manifest his religion." The Greek government was fined 1 million drachmas. 500,000 drachmas [about $1,750 US] went to each of Mr. Mandalarides and to Mr. Sarandis. Unfortunately, the law itself was not declared unconstitutional. They commented that the Government's restrictions on evangelism were "couched in vague terms" and "without guarantee of equality of treatment." The leading counsel in the case, John Warwick, called it "a historic victory."
Treatment of the Turkish/Muslim minority in Greece:The Turkish minority in Greece is almost entirely Muslim. Treatment of this minority by the government has both ethnic and religious overtones. The government of Greece does recognize the Muslim minority in that country, but "aggressively prosecutes and bans organizations and individuals who seek to call themselves 'Turkish.'" Turks have been in Greece since at least 1363 when the Ottoman army routed the Serb, Bosnian and Hungarian army. They are Greek citizens. In spite of the Treaty of Lausanne which guaranteed the Muslims civil and human rights, they are heavily discriminate against in many ways. 6,7
Some improvements have been made in recent years. However, the freedoms of the Turkish minority continue to be severely restricted.
Treatment of members of the Church of ScientologyOn 1997-JAN-17, the Church of Scientology, which has operated in that country as Center of Applied Philosophy was labeled a danger to society and ordered to close by an Athens court. Judge Constandia Angelaki wrote: "It is an organization with medical, social and ethical practices that are dangerous and harmful. It claims to act freely so as to draw members who subsequently undergo... brainwashing by dictated ways of thinking that limit reaction capabilities." Scientology representative Heber Jentzsch wrote: "The case is a sham. It is unfortunately reminiscent of the former junta that ruled Greece as a totalitarian state and the assault today is simply because the mission is not 'orthodox' according to the prevailing vested interests in Greece." In 1999-MAY, the Third Court of Appeals dismissed all charges after the prosecutor asked that they be withdrawn.
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