WRITTEN QUESTION E-2884/01 by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE)and Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Minority languages and freedom of expression in Greece.
Date: 2001-10-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, Greece, enforcement of ruling, exchange of information, freedom of expression, imprisonment, minority language, national law

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/133

(2002/C 134 E/132)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2884/01

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE)
and Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Subject: Minority languages and freedom of expression in Greece

Mr Sotiris Bletsas, a member of the Society for Aromanian (Vlach) Culture, has been convicted last
2 February 2001 to fifteen months in prison and a fine of GRD 500 000 for dissemination of false
information (under Article 191 of the Penal Code). The charges were based on the fact that, in July 1995,
he had distributed at the Aromanian Festival a publication of the European Bureau for Lesser-Used
Languages which referred to the minority languages in Greece.

On 21 September 2001, the Athens First Court of Appeal postponed the hearing on Sotiris Bletsas’ case to
18 December because of the absence of all three prosecution witnesses. The appeals trial had previously
been postponed on 4 July. This was also because of the absence of the prosecution witnesses. Although
Greek law states that these witnesses could be held in contempt and punished, especially when they are
present at the beginning of a hearing and then fail to appear for his trial, the court has not invoked this
law.

In its answer to a previous Written Question (E-0487/01 (1)), the Commission considered this topic to be
of major importance and said that it was following it carefully. Has the Commission asked the Greek
Government to provide a copy of the sentence and any other information related to this matter? Does it
share the deep concerns expressed by several associations, political parties and academics?

Does the Commission consider this attitude compatible with the European values of freedom of expression
and opinion and of cultural and linguistic diversity?

Could the Commission’s legal services verify whether Article 191 of the Greek Penal Code complies with
the spirit of the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and
the rule of law recognised by the treaties?

In strictly legal terms, does the Commission consider that the Greek State should investigate the improper
summons, which contributed crucially to the postponement as well as to the need for the postponement
itself? Will the Commission verify whether this attitude might violate the right to a fair trial?

(1) OJ C 261 E, 18.9.2001, p. 125.

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2002)

In the Commission’s opinion, the rights of persons belonging to minorities form part of the fundamental
principles common to the Member States referred to in the first paragraph of Article 6 of the Treaty on
European Union. The Commission was therefore concerned at the decision of 2 February 2001 by the
Greek court of first instance to convict to Mr Sotiris Bletsas under Article 191 of the Penal Code for
dissemination of
false information. The Commission subsequently wrote to the Greek authorities
requesting a copy of the sentence and any other relevant information.

According to the information at the Commission’s disposal, following the appeal hearing of 18 December
2001, Mr Bletsas has been acquitted of all charges laid against him.