NGOs Criticize Government Over Audits and Reactions

Sixty-seven NGOs have expressed concern about the Mitsotakis government's treatment of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in an open letter to the Prime Minister. The NGOs denounce the "devaluation" and "downgrading" of their role, especially in relation to the recent fires.

The letter comes amid leaks about government audits of NGOs active in the refugee sector. UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor expressed concern about threats by the Minister of Migration, Thanos Plevris, regarding audits of NGOs defending the rights of refugees.

The NGOs emphasize that institutional control is legitimate, but not as a "means of blackmail, intimidation and silencing." They stress that they will continue to offer their work to strengthen democracy.

Thanos Plevris has targeted organizations that criticize his asylum policy and has stated that a management audit will be carried out on NGOs registered in the registry of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.