E/CN.4/1993/62
page 34
According to the sources, members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith who
are detained at the Avlona Military Prison are unable to satisfy their
religious needs since they are denied visits by religious ministers belonging
to their faith."
31.
On 11 December 1991, the Government of Greece sent its comments to the
Special Rapporteur regarding the above-mentioned information:
"A.
Jehovah’s Witnesses Congregation in Alexandroupolis Case of Mr. Katharios
Following a written petition by 43 citizens residing in Alexandroupolis,
the local Prosecutor instructed in October 1990 the Police Department of this
city to proceed to a preliminary inquiry concerning the creation and
operation, without the necessary permit, of a congregation of Jehovah’s
Witnesses. Upon completion of the preliminary brief, the Prosecutor lodged a
complaint against three Jehovah’s Witnesses for violation of Law 1363/38 as
amended. Mr. Demetrios Katharios, a religious minister was among those sued.
In addition, the Public Prosecutor instructed the Police to have the
congregation premises sealed.
The Competent Court in Alexandroupolis by its verdict sub No. 2092/2.7.91
declared the three persons accused not guilty and ordered the unsealing of the
congregation place. This was carried out on 2 August 1991 by the Police.
B.
Case of Mrs. Lydia Paraskevopoulou
In 1987, Mrs. Paraskevopoulou had submitted to the competent authorities
a request to be appointed as teacher at the level of primary public school.
Her request was rejected at the time, because the legislative solution of the
issue of appointment of Jehovah’s Witnesses as teachers was not yet found.
In 1988, Law 1771/1988 was promulgated. From then on, persons belonging to
religious confessions other than the one prevailing in Greece, were given the
opportunity of an appointment to teach in primary public schools.
Unfortunately this particular Law did not include a transitional clause
covering the cases of candidates having had earlier submitted requests for
this appointment as teachers. Mrs. Paraskevopoulou belongs to this category.
She was, however, included on the priority list of this same year. Mention
should be made here that inclusion of the name of a candidate in the year’s
priority list does not necessarily guarantee his or hers being appointed the
same year. In fact, candidates of the 1988’s list have yet to be appointed.
C.
The issue of Religious Ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses visiting the
Avlona Military Correctional facility
The Greek legislation in force does not provide for a possibility of such
visits to Military Facilities. Nevertheless, and despite the fact that the
Jehovah’s Witnesses belief is not recognized by Greece as a Religion, it is
envisaged by dint of new internal regulations of Military Corrective
Facilities, currently being elaborated, that a specific place be provided for
Jehovah’s Witnesses and their Ministers for their religious duties."