#InTheMoodForLaw
We Monitor the Rule of Law
Govwatch is an independent, not-for-profit initiative by Vouliwatch. It collects, records and reports violations or suspected violations of the rule of law in Greece, by theme. Govwatch aims to provide a source of information for citizens and institutions, to enable civil society to highlight wrongdoing, and to increase accountability in the political system. Govwatch is also available in English so that its findings can have an impact abroad, especially in relevant international organisations such as GRECO and the European Commission.
The picture that Govwatch paints of the state of the rule of law in Greece is made up of reports not just from the Govwatch team, but also from civil society organisations, journalists, academics, and citizens.
The collection and recording of Govwatch reports has been carried out in chronological order starting from 2021, retrospectively to 2015, by subject and by the date of the pertinent decisions and opinions of international, European or domestic organisations.
** The events currently included in Govwatch cover the years 2021 and 2022 (indicatively, rather than exhaustively). Our team continues to research, collect and record cases, both going forward into 2022 and beyond, but also looking back at the last few years up until 2015, aiming to provide a complete and current record of the state of the rule of law in Greece.
At its core, the rule of law is an ideal and an aspiration which is essential for the maintenance of a free, democratic and just society, and towards which the members of a society should constantly strive.
The rule of law is a principle of governance under which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the state itself, are accountable to the law.
In a society that adheres to the rule of law, the law is known and easily accessible, enforced equally and independently, and governed by the supreme rules of international law and international human rights standards.
In a society that adheres to the rule of law, all public authorities act within legal boundaries, in accordance with the values of democracy and fundamental rights, and under the scrutiny of a free press and independent and impartial courts.
Adherence to the rule of law ensures the observance of the basic principles of a democratic society. These include tenets such as equality before the law, legal certainty, the avoidance of arbitrariness, the independent and prompt administration of justice (the presumption of innocence and the lawful imposition of penalties), the separation of powers, and open and free criticism of the law and the administration. Also required are good legislative practices, participation in decision-making, and transparency and accountability in the political system.
**Read here the platform’s code of conduct.
Reports
Govwatch reports of violations or suspected violations of the rule of law in Greece are submitted by our team of experts, civil society, citizens, journalists and academics. The cases are presented in a simple and direct way, with the fullest possible referencing and evidence provided, as well as the legal background. We want our reports to be fully evidenced but also accessible and direct in order to inspire citizens to submit their own reports.
Articles
This category includes detailed articles by the editorial team, by renowned members of the journalistic and academic community, as well as activists specialising in the relevant topic. The articles are presented by category and sub category, and indicate whether they were written specifically for Govwatch or reproduced from previous posts/publications.
External Reports
For a more complete and in depth overview of the state of the rule of law in Greece, we also provide reports and evaluations that present a snapshot of the state of the rule of law at a particular moment in time. Here you will find a repository with:
Select the category that you believe your report belongs to, as defined in the category description.
You can submit a signed report to Govwatch using the special form, or if you would like to submit a report anonymously, you can do so using the Globaleaks tool.
Provide any relevant data and documentation required to verify the report.
After you submit a report it will be evaluated by the govwatch team. If it is found to be factually correct and sufficiently backed up by relevant evidence, it will be published in the Reports section. The Govwatch team reserves the right not to publish a report if it is incomplete or violates the Govwatch code of conduct.
GlobaLeaks is an open-source, free software intended to enable secure and anonymous whistleblowing initiatives for the purpose of, for example, reporting crimes and human rights violations, and to promote the values of transparency and the fight against corruption.
GlobaLeaks
Bank Account number: 1100 0232 0016 560
IBAN: GR56 0140 1100 1100 0232 0016 560
BIC: CRBAGRAA
In a time where the very foundations of democracy are gradually being eroded by the rise of extreme nationalism, alt-right movements, the spread of disinformation and corporate capture, the efforts of organisations such as Vouliwatch are more relevant than ever.
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