[excerpts]

Constitution of Greece

June 11, 1975

As revised by the parliamentary resolution of April 6th 2001 of the VIIth Revisionary Parliament.

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Article 10

1. Each person, acting on his own or together with others, shall have the right, observing the laws of the State, to petition in writing public authorities, who shall be obliged to take prompt action in accordance with provisions in force, and to give a written and reasoned reply to the petitioner as provided by law.

2. Prosecution of the person who has submitted a petition for punishable acts contained therein shall be permitted only after notification of the final decision of the authority to which the petition was addressed has taken place and after permission of this authority has been obtained.

3 [1]. The competent service or authority is obliged to reply to requests for the provision of information and for the supply of documents, especially certificates, supporting documents and attestations, within a set deadline not exceeding 60 days, as specified by law. In case this deadline elapses without action or in case of unlawful refusal, in addition to any other sanctions and consequences at law, special monetary compensation is also paid to the applicant, as specified by law.

Article 11

1. Greeks shall have the right to assemble peaceably and unarmed.

2. The police may be present only at outdoors public assemblies. Outdoor assemblies may be prohibited by a reasoned police authority decision, in general if a serious threat to public security is imminent, and in a specific area, if a serious disturbance of social and economic life is threatened, as specified by law.

Article 12 [2]

1. Greeks shall have the right to form non-profit associations and unions, in compliance with the law, which, however, may never subject the exercise of this right to prior permission.

2. An association may not be dissolved for violation of the law or of a substantial provision of its statutes, except by court judgment.

3. The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall apply, as the case may be, to unions of persons not constituting an association.

4. Agricultural and urban cooperatives of all types shall be self-governed according to the provisions of the law and of their statutes; they shall be under the protection and supervision of the State which is obliged to provide for their development.

5. Establishment by law of compulsory cooperatives serving purposes of common benefit or public interest or common exploitation of farming areas or other wealth producing sources shall be permitted, on condition however that the equal treatment of all participants shall be assured.

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Article 14

1. Every person may express and propagate his thoughts orally, in writing and through the press in compliance with the laws of the State.

2. The press is free. Censorship and all other preventive measures are prohibited.

3. The seizure of newspapers and other publications before or after circulation is prohibited.

Seizure by order of the public prosecutor shall be allowed exceptionally after circulation and in case of:

a) an offence against the Christian or any other known religion,

b) an insult against the person of the President of the Republic,

c) a publication which discloses information on the composition, equipment and set-up of the armed forces or the fortifications of the country, or which aims at the violent overthrow of the regime or is directed against the territorial integrity of the State,

d) an obscene publication which is obviously offensive to public decency, in the cases stipulated by law(...)

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Article 16

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5. (Para 2) A special law shall define all matters pertaining to student associations and the participation of students therein.

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9. (Para 2) The State shall make grants to and shall control all types of athletic associations, as specified by law. The use of grants in accordance with the purpose of the associations receiving them shall also be specified by law.

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Article 29

1. Greek citizens possessing the right to vote may freely found and join political parties, the organization and activity of which must serve the free functioning of democratic government.

Citizens who have not yet acquired the right to vote may participate in youth sections of parties.

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3 [3]. Manifestations of any nature whatsoever in favour of or against a political party by judicial functionaries and by those serving in the armed forces and the security corps, are absolutely prohibited. In the exercise of their duties, manifestations of any nature whatsoever in favour of or against a political party by public servants, employees of local government agencies, of other public law legal persons or of public enterprises or of enterprises of local government agencies or of enterprises whose management is directly or indirectly appointed by the State, by administrative act or by virtue of its capacity as shareholder, are absolutely prohibited.

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[1] Revised in 2001.

[2] Revised in 2001.

[3] Revised in 2001.