Definitive Report - Report No 36, 1960

Case No 198 (Greece) - Complaint date: 25-MAR-59 - Closed

1. 66. By a communication dated 25 March 1959, addressed directly to the I.L.O, the Athens Printers' Association submitted allegations of infringements of the exercise of trade union rights in Greece. The complaint was transmitted on 7 April 1959 to the Government, which forwarded its observations thereon by a letter dated 6 May 1959.

A. A. The complainants' allegations

1. 67. The complainants allege that Mr. Rallis, General Secretary of the Athens Printers' Association, was, following his participation in a committee of 27 members elected at a big trade union meeting in order to promote the defence of trade union freedom and democratic institutions, summoned to the 24th District Station of the Athens police on 29 January 1959 and called upon to recant his opinions. When he refused, it is alleged, Police Officer Carathanassis committed an assault against him which the complainants regard as constituting an act of " anti-union persecution ".
2. 68. In support of their complaint the complainants furnish the texts of two articles-one from a trade union and one from a non-trade union newspaper-which refer to the acts of brutality stated to have been committed by the police officer of the 24th District when Mr. Rallis refused to recant his political convictions.
3. 69. In its reply the Government categorically denies that any violence was offered to the person of the General Secretary of the Athens Printers' Association. It declares that, according to information from the Police Directorate, the police officer criticised by the complainants summoned the person concerned to advise him to cease his illegal activities and anti-national propaganda and to devote himself solely to genuine trade union activities. This summons, the Government goes on, was decided upon following a meeting held by Mr. Rallis and other Communist trade unionists in the course of which questions relating to clandestine Communist action were discussed. The Government adds that Mr. Rallis has been known since 1938 as a fanatical Communist who has devoted himself unceasingly to illegal political and anti-national activities. In conclusion the Government declares that the accusations made in the complaint and in the newspaper articles cited by the complainants are sheer slander inspired by the clandestine Communist movement.
4. 70. With regard to the allegation that Mr. Rallis was maltreated by a police officer, the Committee has two contradictory statements before it in the light of which it would seem difficult for it to form an opinion in full knowledge of the circumstances. On the other hand, with respect to the measures that may have been taken against the person concerned, it would seem evident, both from the statements of the complainants and, in particular, the newspaper articles adduced in support thereof, and from the statements of the Government, that such measures had their origin in the political activities or, at least, the political convictions of Mr. Rallis and not in the trade union activities carried on by him.

The Committee's recommendations

1. 71. In these circumstances the Committee considers that the complainants have not furnished proof to show that trade union rights were infringed in this instance and, therefore, recommends the Governing Body to decide that the case does not call for further examination.