Geneva (10 June 2022) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, will conduct an official visit to Greece from 13 to 22 June 2022, to examine the situation of human rights defenders in the country and assess the government’s efforts towards creating an enabling environment for those seeking to protect and promote human rights.

The Special Rapporteur will assess the situation for human rights defenders supporting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and will also examine other issues, including the situation of defenders working on women’s rights, LGBTI rights and the environment. “I look forward to meeting human rights activists, government representatives and other relevant stakeholders to assess the implementation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in the country and Greece’s efforts to implement international human rights law standards relating to human rights defenders,” Lawlor added.

Lawlor intends to hold meetings in Athens, Lesvos, Samos, Chios and Thessaloniki. She will meet with national and local government officials, local and international civil society representatives and representatives of international organizations during her visit.

The Special Rapporteur will present her preliminary observations during a press conference to be held on 22 June 2022 at 15:00 local time in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Athens. Attendance will be strictly limited to journalists.

Special Rapporteur Lawlor will present a report on the visit to the Human Rights Council in March 2023.