Greece

Mine Ban Policy

The Hellenic Republic (Greece) signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997 and ratified it on 25 September 2003, becoming a State Party on 1 March 2004. Ratification makes the Mine Ban Treaty part of Greek legislation.^[1] In 2006, Greece for the first time provided details about its national implementation measures, and specified which parts of existing criminal codes provide penal sanctions for treaty violations.^[2]

Greece attended the Eighth Meeting of States Parties in Jordan in November 2007 and the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in June 2008. On each occasion it made statements on stockpile destruction and mine clearance. In June, Greece informed States Parties that it had failed to complete the destruction of its stockpile of antipersonnel mines before its deadline of 1 March 2008, as required by Article 4.^[3]

Greece submitted its fifth Article 7 report on 30 April 2008, covering calendar year 2007.^[4]

Greece has not engaged in the discussions that States Parties have had on matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1, 2 and 3. Thus, Greece has not made known its views on issues related to joint military operations with states not party to the treaty, foreign stockpiling or transit of antipersonnel mines, antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes or antihandling devices, and the permissible number of mines retained for training.

Greece is party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) and its Amended Protocol II on landmines. It attended the Ninth Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II in November 2007, and submitted its annual report required by Article 13 in October 2007. Greece is not party to CCW Protocol V on explosive remnants of war.

Greece attended as an observer the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions in May 2008.

Production, Trade, Stockpiling, and Destruction

Greece is a former producer of antipersonnel mines, and also imported them from Germany and the United States.^[5] Prior to becoming a State Party, Greece had a moratorium on production and export of antipersonnel mines for a number of years.

In its Article 7 reports, Greece has declared a stockpile of 1,566,532 antipersonnel mines composed of five types: m² (214,374), DM31 (794,400), M16 (553,359), M14 (3,895), and Area Denial Antipersonnel Mine (ADAM) artillery shells (504).^[6] However, each ADAM 155mm projectile contains 36 antipersonnel mines. Thus, the 504 shells cited by Greece contain 18,144 mines, bringing the stockpile total to 1,584,172. An army official told Landmine Monitor that ADAM mines, which contain traces of depleted uranium, pose a problem because they must be frozen before destruction.^[7]

As of June 2008, Greece had still not destroyed a single mine from its stockpile. Greece made repeated assurances throughout 2007 that it would meet the 1 March 2008 deadline.^[8] In November 2007, Greece informed States Parties that it had “contracted a specialized private company” to destroy the mines, and said, “Our goal is to complete the destruction within the set deadline. You will be kept informed on the progress.”^[9] The deadline came and went without further communication to States Parties from the government.

In its 30 April 2008 Article 7 report, Greece states: “After a long procedure, during which a series of difficult legal problems had to be resolved, the project of the APMs stockpile destruction was assigned to a Hellenic private company (Hellenic Defense Systems SA). The stockpiled Antipersonnel Mines (APM) have already been gathered and transferred in 26 final sites, from which they will be collected by the tendered private company, in order to be destructed. In the present phase of the above project, the final draft of the contract between the Hellenic MoD and the Hellenic Defense Systems SA, has been submitted to the Audit Council of the state for audit and legal review as is provided for, by the Hellenic internal legislation.”^[10]

In June 2008, at the intersessional Standing Committee meetings, Greece informed States Parties that it had missed the deadline, but did not provide an explanation why, citing only “complex and time consuming procedures, which were further delayed by changes intervened (sic).” Greece stated that the contract with Hellenic Defense Systems SA had still not been finalized, but was undergoing audit and legal review. It said, “At this stage an exact timetable [for destruction] cannot be determined,” but that “Greek competent authorities are aware…of the need to complete destruction of stockpiles as soon as possible…. [Greece] will spare no efforts to destroy its APLMs stockpile and to carry out that destruction in the best feasible time frame.”^[11]

ICBL emphasized that Greece was currently in violation of the treaty, and had been since 1 March 2008. It further criticized Greece for not submitting a note verbale or some other official communication to States Parties when the deadline was missed, for providing little information on its progress toward fulfilling its Article 4 obligations, and for being unable to establish a completion date. The ICBL encouraged Greece “to provide more information about the reasons the deadline was missed, and even more importantly, the concrete steps being taken to ensure that the contract is finalized and the mines are destroyed with the shortest possible delay.”^[12]

During a meeting in Athens at the Ministry of Defense (MoD) on 19 June 2008, officials told Landmine Monitor that a contract with a Bulgarian company would be signed very soon. They said delays had been caused by “legal parameters,” as well as environmental concerns that required special destruction facilities. They said that the facilities and legislation needed for the destruction were in place and that no further delays were expected.^[13] The official military order for the destruction of the mines had been signed earlier in June.^[14] On 1 August 2008, Landmine Monitor was informed that the contract had been signed on 25 June 2008 and that preparations were underway to initiate the transfer of the mines to Bulgaria.^[15] Greece also wrote to the President of the Eighth Meeting of States Parties, stating that it would complete the destruction of all stockpiled antipersonnel mines no later than 28 May 2009.^[16]

Mines retained for research and training

In its April 2008 Article 7 report, as well as previous reports, Greece indicated that it will retain 7,224 antipersonnel mines for training and development purposes: M14 (3,780), m² (1,512), DM31 (1,512), and M16 (420).^[17] Greece did not use the expanded Form D for reporting on the intended purposes and actual uses of retained mines agreed at the Sixth Meeting of States Parties in 2005. However, Greek officials in 2005 and 2006 provided a detailed rationale to Landmine Monitor of how Greece determined its requirement to retain 7,224 antipersonnel mines.^[18] It claimed that the mines are needed for the army to retain its ability to conduct counter-mine operations; the army must have “the operational ability to lay or to clear a typical minefield of 100 meter width by 60 meters depth, of the minimum possible density as this technical operation is prescribed by NATO field manuals.”^[19] Any emplacement of antipersonnel mines outside of the specific exceptions in Article 3 is outlawed under the Mine Ban Treaty.

Landmine/ERW Problem

Greece is affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).^[20] The mine contamination consists primarily of 57 minefields laid by Greece in 1974 along the Evros river on its heavily militarized northern border with Turkey, and maintained since then. The minefields contained antivehicle and antipersonnel mines; Greece has been removing the antipersonnel mines only, since becoming a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty.^[21]

It was not clear exactly how many antipersonnel mines remained to be cleared as of 2008. Greece has variously reported that as of March, of the original 24,751 antipersonnel mines laid (22,589 Μ16 and 2,162 m²), a total of 6,301 or 7,139 remained to be cleared from 17 minefields.^[22] The size of the contaminated area has not been reported.

The ERW contamination consists of explosive ordnance remaining from World War II and the 1946–1949 civil conflict in the Western Macedonia and Epirus regions in the north of the country, those that border Albania, Bulgaria, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.^[23] Especially affected are the Grammos and Vitsi mountains, which saw fierce fighting in 1948–1949. In 2007, forest fires in the mountains resulted in explosions, which impeded fire-fighting efforts.^[24] There are also unknown numbers of mines in these areas, which have been the subject of a “huge mine clearance programme,” although Greece has previously declared that there are no properly defined minefields and no maps.^[25] Greece does not report on these areas in its Article 7 reports but only in its CCW Amended Protocol II Article 13 reports.^[26]

The total size of contaminated areas in the north is not known although a Defense General Staff official estimated in 2007 that 0.31% of Greek territory—equivalent to more than 40,000km²—is contaminated by ERW, primarily unexploded ordnance (UXO).^[27] This appears to greatly exaggerate the extent of the problem. Within the Grammos and Vitsi mountains, said to be the most contaminated in Greece, suspected contamination was estimated in 2006 to cover more than 400km² of land.^[28] A survey in 2007, however, found a total of 786 suspected hazardous areas (SHAs), including some mined areas, of which 13 SHAs covering 310,000m² were subsequently cleared, leaving 773 areas to be demined.^[29]

The MoD also reported in 2004 that there are other mine/ERW-suspected areas on the mainland and various islands.^[30] No further information has been provided on these areas and this information was contradicted by defense officials in June 2008.^[31]

According to Greece’s latest Article 7 report, mine casualties among illegal migrants trying to cross the border from Turkey occur “from time to time because they are led to the border along river Evros at night and then instructed to ignore any mine fences and markings and walk into the Hellenic territory. Sometimes they are even aided in cutting the wire and led into minefields!”^[32]

In 2007, the ERW-affected areas were said by a defense general staff official to have “no socio-economic impact” on the local population.^[33] However, it has also been noted previously that areas cleared in the Grammos and Vitsi mountains are used for pasture and leisure.^[34] In June 2008, during a meeting with defense officials it was noted that the mountains were “very beautiful areas for recreation.”^[35]

Mine Action Program

There is no national mine action authority or mine action center in Greece and no legislation regulating mine action. There is also no strategic mine action plan because all clearance is carried out as military operations within the overall planning of the MoD.^[36] In June 2008, however, the MoD provided Landmine Monitor with a document in which it revealed plans to clear seven of the remaining 17 minefields in 2008, four in 2009, and six in 2010.^[37]

The MoD has reported that the Minefield Clearance Battalion, TENX, complies with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS)^[38] as well as NATO standards for mine clearance equipment, team structure, fencing, and marking. Information on mine action is stored in a database accessible only to the Army General Staff and Defense General Staff.^[39]

Demining

Until recently, all clearance in Greece was carried out by the military. In 2006–2007, there were three TENX teams working in the Grammos and Vitsi mountains. It was planned that when deminers have completed clearance of antipersonnel mines from the Evros minefields in 2010, three more teams will be sent to Grammos and Vitsi.^[40] In June 2008, defense officials expected that two more teams would be added the following month.^[41]

In 2007, a Greek commercial company, P.A.S.S. Defence, was awarded a €4.38 million (US$6,005,418) contract by the Western Macedonia regional authority after an international tender process to survey the area and clear 310,127m² of land found to be contaminated. The contract required not only the demining operations but also the delivery of Geographic Information System maps for the affected areas.^[42] P.A.S.S. Defence contracted a Serbian demining company, PMC Engineers, for the demining operations.^[43]

Identifying hazardous areas

Rechecking minefields on the Bulgarian border (cleared following a 1997 agreement with Bulgaria) was completed in 2006. In May 2006, however, the MoD noted that an area of 138,400m² along the border might still be contaminated with explosive ordnance. A total of 113,000m² had been released as of May 2007, and TENX was said to be surveying “the remaining” 20,400m².^[44] In June 2008, officials from the MoD denied that any surveys had occurred and suggested that suspected areas might refer to firing ranges near the Bulgarian border.^[45]

Under the P.A.S.S. Defence contract, the contractors would replace TENX, which had been exclusively responsible for such operations.^[46] It was planned to use US and British satellite photographs to locate minefields not already recorded as well as interviews with local “shepherds, hunters, and loggers” to identify contaminated areas.^[47] The use of satellite imagery proved to be not necessary, as the MoD provided P.A.S.S. Defence with data on suspected mined areas, contrary to assertions that no mined areas and no data existed,^[48] as well as details of areas suspected to contain ERW.^[49]

Marking and fencing of affected areas

All minefields along the border with Turkey are said to be “clearly defined and marked, well above any standard established by Amended Protocol II and the relevant NATO STANAGs [standardization agreements]. All minefields have a double fence. Barbed wire was added to almost all the minefields of Evros.”^[50]

On the Grammos and Vitsi mountains, PMC Engineering deminers placed 1,000 warning signs around SHAs they identified during the survey; a total of 8,000 metal mine signs had been produced.^[51]

Mine and ERW clearance in 2007 and 2008

The army primarily employs manual mine clearance methods. Mine detection dogs are also employed “in certain circumstances.” In September 2007, procurement of an unspecified number of mini-flails was said to be in progress.^[52]

In 2006, in the Grammos and Vitsi mountains along the borders of Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 661,000m² of SHAs were released to the public after survey of 813,550m² and clearance of 174,000m² of land. Progress was said to be slow due to the large number of dangerous devices and adverse weather conditions throughout the year.^[53] As of May 2007, TENX teams had removed 305 World War II mines, 440 unexploded shells and 3,067 grenades.^[54]

In July–September 2007, under the contract between P.A.S.S. Defence and the Western Macedonia regional authority, PMC Engineering cleared 202,000m² of land in Western Macedonia and a further 107,000m² in Epirus.^[55] Clearance included 10 “potentially dangerous” antipersonnel mines, one of which was detonated.^[56] “Booby-traps” were also found, with a tripwire stretched between two grenades.^[57]

In May 2007, authorities were said to have been in the process of identifying the agency responsible for certifying completion and quality of the clearance.^[58] In June 2008, the director of P.A.S.S. Defence claimed that the army had conducted quality assurance and detonated all explosive ordnance encountered.^[59]

Overall, Greece’s reporting on clearance of affected areas has been both haphazard and inconsistent. Destruction of antipersonnel mines in the north of the country is not reported. In May 2007, the MoD reported that 4,501 antipersonnel mines were removed and destroyed in 2006 in Evros, but the area covered is not reported.^[60] The Article 7 report for calendar year 2006, however, does not provide details of how many mines were destroyed. A document provided to Landmine Monitor by the MoD in June 2008 stated that 4,824 antipersonnel mines were “lifted” while 4,352 were destroyed in 2006.^[61] The document further states that mines removed from the minefields are destroyed “systematically in organized destruction sites.”^[62] This contrasts with other statements, for example in Greece’s latest Article 7 report, that all antipersonnel mines cleared during demining in Evros are destroyed in situ.^[63]

Summary of Efforts to Comply with Article 5

Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Greece is required to destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but not later than 1 March 2014. Despite reporting difficulties, good progress appears to have been made in demining. As of March 2008, Greece reported that 17 of an original 57 minefields remained to be cleared of antipersonnel mines.^[64]

At the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in June 2008, the representative of Greece declared they were on schedule to meet their deadline under the Mine Ban Treaty.^[65] Later in June, the MoD informed Landmine Monitor that due to the “faster rate” of the five clearance teams, it expected to complete clearance of the Evros minefields in late 2010, one year earlier than its original goal and four years before the treaty deadline.^[66] Greece has reported that it spends some €800,000 ($1,096,880) each year on mine clearance within its borders.^[67]

Landmine/ERW Casualties

There were no reports of new mine/ERW casualties in Greece in 2007 or to July 2008.^[68] In 2006, at least nine mine casualties occurred in Greece (four people killed and five injured). All were non-Greek citizens attempting to cross the Evros minefields bordering Turkey. The last Greek deminer casualty was reported in 2005.^[69]

There is no publicly available casualty data collection mechanism, and mine casualties are taken from media reports. Between 1999 and the end of 2007, Landmine Monitor identified at least 105 casualties; 61 people were killed and 44 injured.^[70] In 2007, the head of the army demining unit was reported as stating that 104 illegal immigrants had been killed and another 187 severely injured in the border minefields since 1995.^[71] Greece reports there are no Greek [civilian] mine casualties.^[72] Reportedly at least 31 military deminers were killed in clearance operations between 1954 and 2007. An additional 17 military personnel were injured in clearance operations between 1954 and 2002.^[73]

In early 2008, there were five registered amputee mine survivors in Greece; all were foreign nationals. It is not known how many other mine survivors had left Greece voluntarily or how many were deported.^[74]

Victim Assistance

In 2007 and early 2008, little progress was reported in government support for, or coordination of, victim assistance (VA) activities in Greece. Negotiations for an agreement between ministries to continue to cover the cost of prosthetic devices for mine survivors, who are all foreign nationals, stalled in 2007 due to a change in the MoD staff responsible for the issue. An interministerial committee on VA was not formed as planned.^[75] In May 2008, discussions between the MoD and the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity (MoHSS) restarted, although no concrete plan was made.^[76]

In an effort to revive government VA interest, three mine survivors engaged the MoHSS’s deputy minister in a television debate about Greece’s obligations to survivors under the Mine Ban Treaty in January 2008. Another televised appeal with the deputy minister present was made in April 2008; four such appeals have been televised between November 2006 and May 2008. These generated assurances from the ministry and follow-up meetings, but with little concrete result as of June 2008.^[77]

The MoD and MoHSS are responsible for ensuring the rights of mine survivors. Since 2004, the MoD has provided irregular payments for survivors’ prostheses and the MoHSS has provided limited ad hoc financial support to survivors since November 2006.^[78]

Greece continued to report that free medical assistance was available regardless of the mine survivor’s legal status.^[79] Greek medical facilities were informed of this decision by official notice in January 2007, but implementation was inadequate in 2007–2008.^[80] Military medical personnel provide medical assistance and emergency evacuation from the Evros minefields. Alexandroupolis University Hospital and Didymoteichon General and Army Hospitals treat mine casualties free of charge.^[81]

Some mine survivors had difficulties in obtaining prosthetic devices in 2007–2008.^[82] Two survivors received prosthetic limbs in 2007; one was fitted with a first prosthetic leg 11 years after the incident. In April 2008, a survivor received notice of MoD funding for a prosthetic limb applied for in November 2006. Another survivor was waiting for MoD payment to the supplier for both prosthetic legs in need of replacement.^[83]

Psychological support for survivors was inadequate or nonexistent.^[84] Lack of access to employment was a challenge for all persons with disabilities in Greece according to an ombudsperson’s report. About 80% of persons with disabilities were unemployed^[85] and over half could not enforce their right to employment due to incorrect or inadequate information and legal interpretations.^[86] Social and economic reintegration remained difficult for mine survivors in Greece. All known survivors in Greece had been given deportation orders at some time, some survivors more than once, and the majority were without permanent status. The five registered mine survivors in Greece all stated needing Greek courses and education or vocational training to improve their employment situation.^[87] Education opportunities for all persons with disabilities were limited due to the lack of accessible schools and special education.^[88]

Survivors with “humanitarian refugee” status may be eligible for a small disability benefit; a pension of about €270 ($370) per two months was received in 2007. Survivors without clear residency status rely on sporadic contributions from state institutions or public donations. At least one survivor faced eviction in 2007–2008 due to inadequate income. A recent mine survivor was provided with accommodation in a shelter only after appealing for support on television in January 2007. An MoHSS staff member reportedly informed a mine survivor that rent payments would cease if the recipient complained about health services in the media in 2008.^[89] Rent and some living expenses were covered for one survivor in 2007–2008.^[90]

The NGO Greek Deminers was established in 2007 with objectives including offering rehabilitation assistance, and economic, psychological and social support to mine/ERW survivors and their families. ^[91] In January 2008, Greek Deminers indicated it would support civilian mine survivors by identifying funding from a business in Thessaloniki (some €20,000 [$31,100] by May 2008), but funds had not been received by August.^[92]

Other organizations supporting mine survivors included the Hellenic Red Cross, which provided for Greek language tuition and the Medical Centre for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims, Athens, through which the MoHSS gives rent payments to survivors.^[93]

Greece has legislation that protects the rights of persons with disabilities and ensures their inclusion in society; the legislation is generally enforced. However, legislation requiring access to buildings for persons with disabilities was poorly enforced with only 5% of public buildings fully accessible. The deputy ombudsperson for social welfare investigates complaints by persons with disabilities.^[94]

On 30 March 2007, Greece signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but not its Optional Protocol. As of 31 July 2008 Greece had not ratified the convention.