Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001429/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Elena Kountoura (The Left)
According to a report by GREVIO[1],Greece continues to apply mediation mechanisms in cases of domestic violence, which constitutes a violation of Article 48 of the Istanbul Convention[2]. The report points out that criminal mediation is applied without sufficient safeguards to protect victims from secondary victimisation, intimidation and retaliation, while the compliance of perpetrators with the terms of the procedure is not ensured[3].
Having regard to: (a) Parliament resolution[4], which underlines the need to avoid mediation in cases of domestic violence in order to avoid further harm to victims, (b) the CJEU opinion on Article 48 of the Istanbul Convention, which states that it falls within the scope of Article 82(2) TFEU, (c) the Commission’s implementation report, 2020, which finds that most Member States have serious shortcomings in the implementation of Article 12 of Directive 2012/29/EU on the protection of victims[5]:
- 1.Will the Commission examine the extent to which the practice of criminal mediation in Greece is in line with the obligations arising from Article 48 of the Istanbul Convention and Directive 2012/29/EU?
- 2.How will the Commission act to ensure that mediation is not used in cases of gender-based and domestic violence in breach of European and international commitments?
- 3.How will the Commission ensure that the Greek authorities provide the necessary guarantees for the protection of victims participating in such procedures?
Submitted: 8.4.2025
- [1] Report of the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, 14 November 2023. https://rm.coe.int/grevio-s-baseline-evaluation-report-on-legislative-and-other-measures-/1680ad469d
- [2] https://rm.coe.int/168046031c
- [3] It is noted that according to GREVIO, non-compliance with the mediation procedure by the abusive parent does not, in practice, result in sanctions by the Greek authorities.
- [4] Parliament resolution of 6 October 2021 on the impact of intimate partner violence and custody rights on women and children (2019/2166(INI)), https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2021-0406_EN.html.
- [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0188.