Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000366/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Elena Kountoura (The Left)
The transposition of European Directive (EU) 2024/1385 on combating violence against women and domestic violence is a crucial step in harmonising European and national legislation in order to protect victims and prevent and address gender-based and domestic violence[1]. However, the law adopted by the Greek Government, without meaningful consultation of the competent bodies[2], covers only selected articles of the directive, notably those relating to criminal provisions, and fails to include basic provisions on prevention and victims’ rights[3].
In particular, there are no articles providing for:
– sufficient accommodation facilities and victim support centres;
– enhanced safety and support for abused women and children who are victims or witnesses of domestic violence;
– prevention measures at various levels and information and awareness-raising campaigns;
– training for authorities in handling cases of gender-based violence;
– cross-sectoral cooperation and the establishment of a policy coordination body for combating violence.
Moreover, numerous references are made to non-existent structures (Articles 26 and 27) and existing Greek laws which are not fully implemented due to a lack of implementing provisions or which concern only one form of violence (domestic).
In view of the above, can the Commission say:
- 1.How does it intend to ensure that Directive (EU) 2024/1385 is fully transposed into the national legislation of the Member States, including Greece?
- 2.Does it intend to offer technical support to the Member States in order to ensure the correct transposition of the directive?
- 3.What measures will be taken to address existing shortcomings and distortions in the implementation of the obligations set out in the directive?
Submitted: 28.1.2025
- [1] According to Article 49 of Directive (EU) 2024/1385, EU Member States are required to transpose the directive into their national legislation by June 2027.
- [2] For the second time in one year, Law 3500/2006 is being amended without any meaningful consultation with the victims of domestic violence themselves, the vast majority of whom are women and children, or with specialised NGOs and women’s organisations who provide them with protection and support services.
- [3] The title ‘Transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1385’ is misleading, as the law does not transpose the directive into Greek law as it claims, but rather constitutes a partial or even distorted transposition of the directive. Of the directive’s 51 articles, 7 relate to the transposition process and 44 set out the obligations of Member States to take measures to transpose the directive into national law. Of those 44, only 17 are explicitly referred to in the draft law as having been transposed.