A formal complaint by the Greek Transgendered Support Association (SYD) which was brought before parliament by SYRIZA, has highlighted transphobic harassment and discrimination against a 25-year-old Greek transgender student attending an evening lyceum in Athens.
The press release issued by SYD, reports that the student was the victim of continual and escalating discrimination and harassment as a result of her gender identity, while being “further victimized by the school’s own principal.”
“The only teacher who stood up for the student was suspended and relieved of her duties, after a Sworn Administrative Inquiry (SAI) was initiated against her,” continued the statement. SYD condemns the indifference shown by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and the practice of SAI’s, “which are used to intimidate teachers and coerce them into submission, while harming public education and democracy at schools.”
The SYRIZA MP Christos Karagiannidis, who brought the complaint to parliament, made reference to a report by the Greek Ombudsman stating that the protection of the physical and mental health of the student, along with the uninterrupted continuation of her studies is of the utmost priority.
The Minister of Justice Charalambos Athanassiou stated, “the victim has already followed the legal path and therefore, in accordance with the constitutional mandate of Article 26 of the Greek Constitution which enshrines the principle of separation of powers, the Minister of Justice cannot interfere in the administration of justice.” Furthermore, he said that any evidence found by the ministries’ own investigations, will be put at the disposal of the judicial authorities.
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