Applying the Overarching Principle of Human Dignity in Greek Law

Agallopoulou, Penelope

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-99112-2_4

Penelope Agallopoulou⁵

Part of the book series: Ius Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice ((IUSGENT,volume 71))

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Abstract

The principle of respect for human dignity has a prominent position not only in the international texts ratified by Greece, but also in domestic Greek law. In Greece, the courts apply the principle of dignity in both criminal and civil cases based both on the Constitution and specific laws that apply to the dispute in question. The principle of dignity is also applied by the National Bioethics Committee, the Greek Authority for Protection of Personal Data, the National Broadcasting Council and the Mediator of the Greek Republic.

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Notes

1.
These include in particular the European Convention on Human Rights of 1950 ratified by law no. 2329/1953, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 ratified by law no. 2462/1997, and the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine of 1997 ratified by law no. 2619/1998. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union is also applied in Greece, which is a member of the European Union.
2.
Article 28 of the Constitution.
3.
Article 2 para. 1 of the Constitution.
4.
According to the predominant opinion, before birth and after death, the person is non-existent. See Vidalis, T. (2007). Βιοδίκαιο, τ. Ι Το πρόσωπο (Biolaw, t. I, The Person). Athens-Thessaloniki: Sakkoula, 27 and s.; Foudédaki, K. 2012. Φυσικό πρόσωπο και προσωπικότητα στον Αστικό Κώδικα (The person and the personality according to the Civil Code). Athens-Thessaloniki: Sakkoula, 154 and s. According to another opinion, human dignity even protects the unborn child and the deceased, Chrisogonos, K. (2006). Ατομικά και Κοινωνικά Δικαιώματα (individual and social rights), 3rd pub. Athens: Nomiki Vivliothiki, 110 and 116; see Tsevrenis, V. 2012. Ανθρώπινη αξιοπρέπεια (Human dignity). Athens: Sakkoula, 56.
5.
Foudedaki, K. Φυσικό πρόσωπο και προσωπικότητα στον Αστικό Κώδικα, op. cit., 157;·Tsevrenis, V. Ανθρώπινη αξιοπρέπεια, op. cit., 56.
6.
Articles 5, 9, 7 para. 2 and 14 of the Constitution.
7.
Article 57 CC.
8.
According to articles 57-59 of the CC, combined with articles 928-932 of the CC, claims for damages and for non-material losses are provided for.
9.
Articles 299 and s. Crim. Code.
10.
These are the crimes of rape, grooming, forced debauchery, incest, etc. (Articles 336 and s. Crim. Code).
11.
Articles 361 and s. Crim. Code.
12.
Articles 308 and s. Crim. Code.
13.
According to article 9, subpara. 1 of law 3500/2006, this refers to the case of someone being subjected to a violation of their dignity by a family member, a humiliating violation with regard to their sex life.
14.
Law 4216/2013.
15.
Law 4198/2013. With regard to trafficking, see Bechlivani, N. 2008. Το πρόβλημα “trafficking” μέσα στην ελληνική νομολογία (The problem of “trafficking” in Greek case law). In To νομικό καθεστώς για τις αλλοδαπές γυναίκες-θύματα εκμετάλλευσης και παράνομης διεθνούς μετακίνησης (Legal status of foreign female victims of exploitation and illegal international trafficking), ed. Z. Papasiopi-Passia. University of Thessaloniki, 95 and s. (https://feminismandthelaw.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/v_elliniko_teliko.pdf).
16.
See Politis, H. (2006). Κώδικας Ιατρικής Δεοντολογίας – Ερμηνεία – Σχόλια (Code de déontologie médicale –interprétation – commentaires). Athens: Panellinios Iatrikos Syllogos, 231; Symeonidou-Kastanidou, E. 2007. Η ευθανασία στο Ποινικό δίκαιο (Euthanasia in criminal law). In Ευθανασία (Euthanasie), ed. M. Kaiaga-Gbanti, E. Kounougeri-Manoledaki and E. Symeonidou-Kastanidou, 138 and s. Athens-Thessaloniki: Sakkoula; Vidalis, T. Ευθανασία και Σύνταγμα (Euthanasia and the Constitution). In Ευθανασία (Euthanasie), ed. M. Kaiaga-Gbanti, E. Kounougeri-Manoledaki and E. Symeonidou, Kastanidou, op. cit., 129 and s.
17.
Articles 22 and 23 of the Constitution.
18.
See law 3304/2005 concerning the implementation of the principle of equal treatment of individuals without distinction by race or ethnic origin and law 3896/2010 concerning the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment for men and women in matters of employment and occupation.
19.
Theodossis, G. (2006). Προσωπικά δεδομένα εργαζομένων (Personal data of employees). ΔΕΕ, 592; Agallopoulou, P. (2014). Εισαγωγή στο εργατικό δίκαιο (Introduction to labour law), 4th ed. Athens-Thessaloniki: Sakkoula, 74 and s.
20.
Article 9A of the Constitution.
21.
Law 2472/1997.
22.
See below 3.2.
23.
Kanellopoulou-Boti, M. (2009). Aστική ευθύνη για παράνομη επεξεργασία προσωπικών δεδομένων (Civil liability in the event of the illegal processing of personal data). ΕφΑΔ, 784 and s.
24.
Article 14 of the Constitution.
25.
Law 1178/1981.
26.
Article 15 of the Constitution.
27.
Article 3 of law 2328/1995.
28.
See below 3.3.
29.
The Medical Deontological Code (MDC) has a legal value as the legislative procedure was followed for its promulgation.
30.
Article 5 para. 1 and 2 para. 1 of the Constitution.
31.
See Androulidaki-Dimitriadi, I. (1993). Η υποχρέωση ενημέρωσης του ασθενούς (The requirement to inform the patient). Athens: Ant. N. Sakkoulas, 83 and s.; Foudedaki, K. (2003). Αστική ιατρική ευθύνη (Medical civil liability). Athens-Thessaloniki: Sakkoula, 174 and s.; Karakostas, I. (2008). Ιατρική ευθύνη (Medical liability). Athens: Nomiki Vivliothiki, 17 and s.
32.
Articles 11 and 12 of the MDC. See Foudedaki, K. (2006). Η συναίνεση του ενημερωμένου ασθενούς σύμφωνα με το νέο Κώδικα Ιατρικής Δεοντολογίας (The informed consent of the patient according to the new Medical Deontological Code). In Ο νέος Κώδικας Ιατρικής δεοντολογίας (The new Medical Deontological Code), ed. M. Kaiafa-Gbanti, E. Kounougeri-Manoledaki and E. Symeonidou-Kastanidou, 13 and s. Athens-Thessaloniki: Sakkoula, coll. “Medical and Bioethics Law”; see Sakéllaropoulou, V. (2007). Η ποινική αντιμετώπιση του ιατρικού σφάλματος (The criminal process of a medical error). Athens-Thessaloniki: Sakkoula, 16 and s.; Tsantilas, P. (2008). Ευρωπαϊκό και εθνικό δίκαιο της υγείας (European and National Health Law). Athens: Ant. N. Sakkoulas, 56 and s.; Karakostas, I. Ιατρική ευθύνη, op. cit., 17 and s.
33.
However, the patient is not permitted to give a “carte blanche” consent by signing a statement declaring that he consents to any form of diagnosis or treatment by any means (surgical, pharmaceutical or radiological). Any such statement is invalid. See report no. 13218/26.11.2001 by the mediator of the Republic (http://www.synigoros.gr/?i=health-and-social-welfare.el.dikaiomata-nosilevomenon.37376). See also the report on the grounds of law no. 3418/2004 concerning articles 11 and 12 of the MDC.
34.
Fraisseix, P. (2000). La protection de la dignité de la personne et de l’espèce humaine dans le domaine de la biomédecine: l’exemple de la Convention d’Oviedo. RIDC, 2:371 and s.
35.
Laws 3089/2002 and 3305/2005.
36.
Law 3984/2011. In the case of transplants, the principle of presumed consent is in force. According to law no. 3984/2011 on transplants, the removal of one or more organs from a deceased adult may be carried out when the person concerned has not expressed his refusal for such removals to the National Transplantation Authority during his lifetime, and after receiving the consent of the family (Article 9 para. 3 of law 3984/2011).
37.
Dodecanese Court of Appeal 87/2005, Cass. 1785/2009. Kozani Criminal Court 32/2013 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
38.
Cass. 673/2011, Patras Court of Appeal 110/2011 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
39.
Athens Criminal Court 326/2008 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
40.
Cass. 1196/2011, Cass. 182/2014 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
41.
Cass. 1608/2007 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
42.
The employer does not give the employee any work to force him to resign.
43.
Cass. 1032/1996 in ΔΕΝ 1997, 73 Cass. 1035/1999 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”, Cass. 913/2006 in ΔΕΕ 2007, 625, Cass. 1097/2008 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”, Cass. 84/2011 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”,·Cass. 1221/2013 in ΕΕΔ 2014, 355,·Athens Court of Appeal 7667/1990 in ΕλλΔνη 1993, 85, Athens Court of Appeal 455/1992 in ΕΕΔ 1992, 500, Athens Court of Appeal 3210/2003 in ΕλλΔνη 2004, 227, Athens Court of Appeal 2157/2007 in ΕΕΔ 2007, 1290,·Court of 1st Inst. of Thessaloniki 19537/2000 in Αρμ 2000, 1506, Court of 1st Inst. of Athens 436/2005 in Αρμ 2006, 901, Court of 1st Inst. of Athens 13919/2013, Court of 1st Inst. of Athens 1240/2014, Court of 1st Inst. of Athens 1951/2014, Court of 1st Inst. of Patras 202/2014, Court of 1st Inst of Egion 101/2014 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
44.
Cass. 31/2011, Cass. 2244/2013 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
45.
Court of 1st Inst. of Athens 2776/2010, Athens Court of Appeal 1425/2011 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
46.
Court of 1st Inst. of Athens 2828/2014 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
47.
Cass. 637/2013 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
48.
Court of 1st Inst. of Piraeus 3575/2013 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
49.
Cass. (plenary chamber) 40/1998 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”. See Kasimatis, G. (1999). Η απόφαση 40/1998 της ολομέλειας του Αρείου Πάγου (The decision of the Court of Cassation [plenary chamber] 40/1998). ΝοΒ, 46 and s.; Kroustalakis, E. (1999). Συνταγματικές παράμετροι της προστασίας της προσωπικότητας (Constitutional parameters of the protection of the personality). ΚριτΕ, 2:177 and s. See also Athens Court of Appeal 5538/2006, Council of State 3149/2012, Council of State 334/2013, Council of State 4395/2013, Council of State 3684/2013, Court of 1^st Inst. of Veroia 25/2014, Athens Court of Appeal 3808/2014, Athens Court of Appeal 3071/2014 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
50.
Athens Court of Appeal 5512/2003 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
51.
Court of 1st Inst. of Athens 1449/2007, Cass. 687/2013 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
52.
Cass. 687/2013 in ΤΝΠ “Νόμος”.
53.
See: http://www.bioethics.gr.
54.
See: http://bioethics.gr/images/pdf/gnomes/recom_genetic_data_gr.pdf and http://bioethics.gr/images/pdf/GNOMES/report_genetic_data_gr.pdf.
55.
See: http://bioethics.gr/images/pdf/GNOMES/ins_opinion_gr.pdf and http://bioethics.gr/images/pdf/GNOMES/insur_report_gr.pdf.
56.
The technique used is as follows: after an in vitro fertilisation, embryos with cells that may enable a child already born to be healed are selected and one of them is implanted in the mother’s uterus. Stem cells from the umbilical cord are then removed during childbirth and preserved to be administered later to the seriously ill brother or sister. The transplanted cells are intended to replace the diseased cells.
57.
Opinion of 7 July 2014: http://bioethics.gr/images/pdf/GNOMES/OPINION_ISSUES_IN_FERTILISATION_FINAL_GR.pdf.
58.
Affirmative opinion: Papachristou, Th. (2007). Εισαγωγή άρθρων 1455-1460, αρ. 31 (Introduction to the arts 1455-1460, no. 31). In Αστικός Κώδικας (Civil Code), ed. Ap. Georgiadis and M. Stathopoulos, t. VII, 2nd ed. Athens: Dikaio kai Oikonomia; Vidalis, T., op. cit., 230 and s.; Papachristou, Th. and Klamari, D. (2013). Η αδυναμία φυσικής αναπαραγωγής ως προϋπόθεση της τεχνητής γονιμοποίησης (The impossibility of procreation as a condition for medically assisted reproduction). In Ιατρικά υποβοηθούμενη αναπαραγωγή-10 χρόνια εφαρμογής του νόμου 3089/2002 (Medically assisted procreation – 10 years of application of law 3305/2005), ed. M. Kaiafa-Gbanti, E. Kounougeri-Manoledaki and E. Symeonidou-Kastanidou, 134–135. Athens-Thessaloniki: Sakkoula. See also National Bioethics Committee: http://www.bioethics.gr/images/pdf/GNOMES/OPINION_ISSUES_IN_FERTILISATION_FINAL_GR.pdf, 11–12. For another view see Skorini-Paparrigopoulou, X. Aρθρα 1455-1456, αρ 17 (Articles 1455-1456, no. 17). In Αστικός Κώδικας, op. cit.
59.
Article 9A of the Constitution.
60.
Decisions 4/2009, 81/2012, 127/2012, 12/2014,13/2014, 78/2013,68/2013 of the Greek Authority for the protection of personal data: http://www.dpa.gr/portal/page?_pageid=33,15453&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL.
61.
Article 15 para. 2 of the Constitution.
62.
Dec. 269/2008 of the National Broadcasting Council (https://diavgeia.gov.gr/f/esr).
63.
Dec. 105/2009 of the National Broadcasting Council.
64.
Dec. 306/2013 of the National Broadcasting Council.
65.
Article 103 para. 9 of the Constitution (www.synigoros.gr).
66.
See: http://www.synigoros.gr/resources/kepek_porisma_tel.pdf.
67.
Andorno, R. (2009). Article 3—Human dignity and Human Rights. In Unesco: The Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. History, Principles and application, eds. H. A. M. J. Ten Have and M. S. Jean, 100. Paris: editions Unesco, coll. “Ethics”.

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University of Piraeus, Piraeus, Greece
Penelope Agallopoulou

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University of Rennes, Rennes, France
Brigitte Feuillet-Liger
Columbia University, New York, USA
Kristina Orfali

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Agallopoulou, P. (2018). Applying the Overarching Principle of Human Dignity in Greek Law. In: Feuillet-Liger, B., Orfali, K. (eds) The Reality of Human Dignity in Law and Bioethics. Ius Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice, vol 71. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99112-2_4

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99112-2_4
Published: 20 November 2018
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