Right to life, liberty and security. Prohibition of torture, slavery, arbitrary arrest, and detention.
Why is it useful in your everyday life?
Forcing you to work for little or no money, for long hours and under poor conditions, or forcing you to have sex with or without payment, or forcing you to marry at a very young age are forms of exploitation or contemporary slavery and are prohibited.
Also, all kinds of torture are forbidden. Thus, it is forbidden to be treated inhumanely by causing you physical or psychological pain in order to force you to give information or to intimidate you or as a way to persuade you to do something that you do not want. Examples of torture could be rape, to receive threats that your family will be harmed, to keep you tied up for days, etc.
It is forbidden to be detained in a dirty place or cell with many other people for many days, without a window or in very bad conditions without even the very basic standards.
You should know that the death penalty has been abolished in all European countries and in many countries of the world.
It is forbidden to be arrested without a justified decision, unless you are being arrested while committing an illegal act. In any case, you have the right to talk with a lawyer. If you do not have valid legal documents, the police can decide your detention in order to return you to your country of origin. In this case, also, there must be a justified decision.
Problems you may face
Which are the most common problems you may face?
- If you are arrested by the police and you have not understood well the grounds of your detention and the legal procedures, a lawyer can help you.
- If you are threatened with torture or harm to your family and feel scared, you should keep as much evidence as you can until you go to the police.
- If you have entered the country illegally and do not have valid legal documents, it is easier for some people to exploit you and force you to work under very bad conditions and with little or no money or to force you to do things you do not want (e.g. sex, illegal transports).
Possible solutions and answers
What can you do?
- If you are being detained at a Police Station for several days or your detention conditions are poor, you can file a complaint to the competent services or go to the Greek Court. You are advised to ask a lawyer to assist you.
If you are a victim of exploitation or torture or inhuman treatment you can:
- File a complaint to the police and go to the Greek Court. In case you believe that you have not found your right in Greece, you may be able to submit an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. You are advised to consult a lawyer.
- Call the helpline for victims of human trafficking (1109).
- Contact civil society organizations that support victims of violence.
- File an electronic report to the Greek Ombudsman.