Protests in Greece against
new "Anti-Terrorism" Bill and NATO Summit
ATHENS:On Wednesday last week, a Parliamentary majority ratified the clauses of the Justice Ministry's bill on a European arrest warrant law. Then on Thursday Parliament was set to discuss amendments to "anti- terrorism law No 2". The original "anti-terrorism" law was passed by the PASOK (social democrat) government with the support of right-wing New Democracy (ND) just a year ago. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has strongly denounced the reactionary nature of the new "anti-terrorism" bill, prepared by the previous government and tabled by the new ND Government, that curtails elementary democratic rights and freedoms, undermines national sovereignty, and threatens the popular movement and its struggles. This new "anti-terrorism" bill is said to be "needed in order to bring in line the Greek legislation with respective EU anti- terrorist decisions". The regulations are also being sold as part of the Olympic Games "anti-terrorism" measures. They will be up and running by July 1, with the active participation of NATO. The Communist MPs walked out of the debate on Tuesday last week, expressing, point by point, their total opposition to the draft law and refusing to legalise its procession by the Parliament. The other opposition parties also voted against the law project. However, the spokesman for PASOK stated that voting against the law does not mean that they vote against the framework where the Bill is based. The new "anti-terrorism" Bill has been met with strong opposition, even from the Legal Advisory Committee of the Parliament and the Greek Bar Associations as well from a wide range of unions, scientists, prominent individuals, organisations of immigrants etc. On Tuesday (June 22) thousands marched through central Athens towards Parliament. The demonstration was called by the Democratic Rally for the Popular Freedoms and Solidarity and was backed by Greek Committee for International Ditente and Peace (EEDYE), and many unions and students' associations. Similar demonstrations took place all around the country. At the same time, preparations were being made for protests in the lead up to the NATO summit in Istanbul from June 28-29. The EEDYE together with the Balkan Anti-NATO Centre and KNE organised a massive delegation to participate in the big anti-NATO demonstration on June 27. KNE were also preparing to participate in a International Anti- NATO Youth Camp.* * * More info: http://www.solidnet.org