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Results 46 to 60 out of 165.

2017

01/06/2017 - Special report
- Migration flows and refugee protection – administrative challenges and human rights - Special Report 2017

The Greek Ombudsman, Andreas Pottakis, publicized on June 1, 2017, his special report titled “Migration flows and refugee protection – administrative challenges and human rights”. The special report is a comprehensive account of the Ombudsman’s findings and conclusions on the management and corresponding procedures regarding migration flows and refugee protection. Particular emphasis is placed on the period of time since peak of the number of refugees and migrants and until a year after the implementation of the EU-Turkey joint statement.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
03/05/2017 - Summary
- Abolishment of an upper age limit at a municipal legal entity

The Ombudsman addressed the legal entity of the municipality of Oropos KEDO, highlighting that the age limit set in the notice for recruitment of music teachers with a fixed-term employment contract, did not constitute an acceptable derogation from the provisions of Law 3304/05 (already Law 4443/16) which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of age, unless justified by specific reasons and under certain strict conditions.KEDO responded immediately and proceeded to amend the notice by removing the age limit, taking into account that the maximum retirement age is 67.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
27/04/2017 - Summary
- Postponement of demolition of Roma settlement

Roma citizens filed a complaint with the Ombudsman stating that they had received notification from the authorities that their settlement in Haravgi, Halkida (shed, motor home) would be demolished. The Ombudsman intervened, requesting the authorities to avoid any measure leading to the violent expulsion or compulsory evacuation of the Roma families from their place of residence; it also highlighted that departure from their dwellings requires prior actions by the authorities, such as securing their legal stay to a specific location, which meets at least the basic conditions of dignity, as well as taking care of the practical aspects of such relocation. The Decentralised Administration of Thessaly — Sterea Ellada responded that it would postpone demolition until a proper site for relocation of the Roma has been found, in accordance with the legislation in force. Also, upon an objection filed by the Roma, the fines imposed were reduced because such housing constructions were estimated as temporary.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
30/03/2017 - Summary
- Succession waiver by a minor heir

The mother of a minor heir contacted the Greek Ombudsman, because the tax office of Ilioupoli refused to accept the validity of the succession waiver by the minor heir, taking the view that when coming of age, the heir had to undertake an inventory of the estate. The Ombudsman requested the intervention of the Ministry of Finance, in order to overcome the obstacles raised by the competent tax office. The Ministry agreed with the Ombudsman, thus safeguarding the interests of the minor heir.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
21/03/2017 - Summary
- Access to the medical file of hospitalised mentally ill individuals

A mentally ill patient requested the Ombudsman’s mediation, complaining that he was refused access to his medical file from a psychiatric hospital, where he had been hospitalised, on the grounds that it serves the therapeutic purpose. The Ombudsman addressed the hospital and stressed that the patient’s access to his medical file is an inalienable statutory right. In particular, both the patient’s right to information and his access to the relevant medical file are enshrined in several provisions, more recently in special provision of Article 28, Law 3418/2005 “Doctor and Mental Health Care”. It also noted that respect for civil rights of the mental patient and his participation in the treatment is a accomplishment of indisputable importance: the patient is, at the same time, a free person. Following the Ombudsman’s intervention, the medical file was released to the patient.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
15/03/2017 - Summary
- Non-suspension nor retroactive deduction of detainees’ pensions

The Ombudsman expressed concerns about the legality of the provision of Article 29 par. 7 case e’, L 1846/1951, according to which payment of pensions is suspended to pensioners who are serving a custodial sentence of more than six months; subsequently the Independent Authority was informed that, in the framework of EFKA (Unified Social Security Agency) operation, while drafting its Insurance and Benefits Regulations, a provision will be included, addressing, in a common way, suspension of pensions for detainees, beneficiaries of various social security funds, taking into consideration the observations and conclusions of the Ombudsman.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
06/03/2017 - Summary
- Cancellation of fees increase in municipal crèches, after the intervention of the Ombudsman

Parents have complained to the Ombudsman regarding the sudden and substantial increase of 80 %-120 % in the fees in municipal crèches, after the start of the school year and while there is no change or improvement in the services offered. Following the Ombudsman’s intervention, the Decentralised Administration annulled the decisions of fees increase.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
03/03/2017 - Summary
- Release of medical information of the child to the parent who does not have custody

The parent of a child with special needs, who does not have custody of the child but maintains the remaining parts of parental care, turned to the Ombudsman because the Centre of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine refused to provide him with information regarding the child’s health and treatment. Following the Ombudsman’s intervention, the Centre has provided the information requested by the father.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
28/02/2017 - Summary
- Offsetting debts against pensions must not financially debilitate the pensioners

The Ombudsman has suggested that offsetting social benefits against unduly paid benefits must not reduce earnings below the poverty threshold, determined by Eurostat. On this basis, the Ombudsman proposed to make all the necessary adaptations of the computer applications used by the Social Security Fund OAEE to allow offsetting at instalments lower from 1/4 of the gross amount of pension. The proposals were not accepted.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
23/02/2017 - Summary
- An Association’s advertisement for secretary was withdrawn due to multiple discrimination (gender-age-national or ethnic origin)

The Ombudsman investigated a complaint with regard to multiple discrimination in an advertisement posted in a local newspaper for the employment of a Secretary by an Association. According to the advertisement, only women less than 35 years old and holders of Greek nationality could apply for the job. In its document to the Association, the Ombudsman held that the advertisement at issue introduced unequal treatment and unlawful discrimination and requested its withdrawal. The Association complied with the Ombudsman’s recommendations and withdrew the above-mentioned advertisement.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
23/02/2017 - Summary
- Cleaning of a landfill in a pothole in Agia Anna, Voiotia

The Hellenic Speleological Society complained to the Ombudsman on the operation of an Area of Uncontrolled Waste Disposal in Agia Anna, Voiotia. The competent agencies, in the presence of the Ombudsman’s representatives, carried out an inspection which confirmed severe environmental degradation, due to the fact that the area had been used over a prolonged period of time for the community’s waste disposal. Following the Ombudsman’s intervention, administrative procedures started for cleaning and protection of the area; a more recent inspection verified successful cleaning of the pothole by the effective removal of waste from within it.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
22/02/2017 - Summary
- Intervention of the Ombudsman concerning the implementation of provisions legalising illegal constructions

The Ombudsman received a number of complaints concerning the legalisation of illegal constructions through the implementation of provisions in force prior to Law 4178/2013. The Independent Authority established failure of the competent agencies to implement the procedure for corrections or reimbursement of fines due to the delay in issuing the ministerial decree foreseen in the abovementioned Law and expressed its views in a document addressed to the Ministry of the Environment and Energy.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
07/02/2017 - Summary
- Additional fee on citizens for re-issuance of passports due to errors

The Ombudsman asked from the Hellenic Police to reissue citizen’s passports without charging them again, if the reissue is necessary because of manifest error (eg a mistake in recording sex), in the electronic filling in of the application for the original passport.
From: The Greek Ombudsman
02/02/2017 - Summary
- Student allowance protected from confiscation or debt clearance

Following the Ombudsman’s mediation the student allowance has been protected from confiscation or clearance against debts of the beneficiaries
From: The Greek Ombudsman
17/01/2017 - Summary
- Return of confiscated welfare allowance for a disabled person under guardianship

The mother of a disabled person under legal guardianship complained to the Ombudsman that the Municipality of the family residence confiscated the account in which the welfare allowance of the disabled was deposited, in order to counterbalance the debts of the father and legal guardian. The Ombudsman pointed out that, although this account was not declared as “unseizable” (not subject to confiscation) in the computerised Tax System (TAXIS net), the money confiscated was the welfare allowance of the disabled person, which raises major ethical issues. After the intervention of the Ombudsman, the City Council decided unanimously to reimburse the disabled person.
From: The Greek Ombudsman