The country s Pomaks, the ethnically Slavic Muslim minority, make similar objections. The Muslims object to the Greek government s prerogative to appoint its muftis, or Muslim community leaders. Greeks enjoy freedom of association, and all workers except military personnel and the police have the right to form and join unions, which are usually linked to political parties. The judiciary is independent. The constituion provides for public trials, and trial court sessions are usually open to the public.
Defendants enjoy a presumption of innocence.
Greece has a long history of jailing conscientious objectors to military service. In 1997, however, the government passed a new law to allow objectors to perform alternative, civilian service. The measure requires objectors to serve twice as long as military conscripts and was therefore criticized by Amnesty International as punitive. Women s groups have begun to organize to seek more equitable child custody and divorce laws and the creation of a family court.