REPORTS
Hellenic League for Human Rights denounces the use of the term ‘illegal immigrant’ by the Hellenic Police Force
The Hellenic League for Human Rights has denounced the use of the outdated and abusive term, ‘illegal immigrant’ by the Hellenic Police Force on the official website, on building signs and elsewhere.
The Greek state and international organisations have highlighted the problems inherent in using terms that are harmful and offensive, they say, and in fact, the Supreme Court Prosecutor’s Office, in a 2018 document, had specifically called for the elimination of the term “illegal immigrant”. Despite this, they say, the Greek Police has continued to use this term, which encourages xenophobic and intolerant attitudes that normalise and encourage racism.
The organisation has sent a letter to the Chief of the Hellenic Police Force and to the Minister of Citizen Protection.
UPDATE: The Hellenic Police, following the letter of 3 April 2023, has immediately replaced the terms on its website and the “Department of Illegal Immigration” has been renamed “Department of Migration Management.” Similarly, all signs where the term ‘illegal immigrants’ remains are expected to be imminently replaced.
As stated in the 25-7-2018 document from the Minister of Justice and the 26-7-2018 document from the Prosecutor of the Supreme Court, the term “illegal immigrant” is not appropriate and will be eliminated from official documents, as a way of contributing to avoiding phenomena of xenophobia and racism (see, inter alia, 1, 2, 3).
The protection of, and respect for human dignity and worth and the prohibition of (direct or indirect) discrimination are basic components of the rule of law. It is the duty of the state to ensure the prevention of racism and xenophobia which violate fundamental human rights.
The use of terms and expressions that could be associated with, relate to, refer to or reproduce phenomena of racism and xenophobia, especially where this occurs in public documents or by state bodies, is not in accordance with the principles and values of a state governed by the rule of law.
As stated by the Hellenic League for Human Rights, the Greek Police seems until very recently to have used the term “illegal immigrant” on its website and on signs at police headquarters, despite the fact that since 2018 the need to eliminate the use of this term has been highlighted in international discourse.
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