During the recent event titled “The Rule of Law & Justice – The Role of Lawyers,” organized by the IBA’s “With the Lawyer” faction, a range of proposals aimed at enhancing the IBA’s engagement in upholding the Rule of Law were discussed.
The event, held at the Theocharakis Foundation, attracted over 200 legal professionals.
Prominent speakers included Dimitris Anastasopoulos, the head of the “With the Lawyer” faction; former IAA President Dimitris Paxinos; constitutional law expert Spyros Vlahopoulos from the Athens Law School; and former IAA Counsel Vassilis Papastergiou. The event was coordinated by journalist Panagiotis Stathis.
The gathering also welcomed notable attendees such as IAA President Dimitris Vervesos, Thessaloniki Board of Directors President Dimitris Finokaliotis, and Pelops Laskos, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice, among others, including former IAA Vice President Thodoris Mantas and distinguished legal experts.
A recurring theme was the acknowledgment that Greece is a Rule of Law state, though it faces numerous challenges. Dimitris Paxinos emphasized the vital role of lawyers in defending this principle. Spyros Vlahopoulos called for reforms to strengthen the Presidency and judicial leadership, while Vassilis Papastergiou highlighted several issues undermining the Rule of Law.
Dimitris Anastasopoulos, reflecting on the bar’s historic contributions, noted the significant progress made in recent years. He also identified various areas under threat, including deplorable conditions in police detention facilities and prisons, legal ambiguities in cases like the NOC, polygamy, and ongoing legislative changes.
He stressed the urgency of promoting “more Rule of Law,” encouraging dialogue among all institutions, and exercising caution in critiquing the justice system. Anastasopoulos warned that a loss of faith in justice could have dire consequences, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society.
He concluded with proposals for a more active role for the IOA in protecting the Rule of Law, including the establishment of a watchdog in collaboration with judicial associations and other organizations, enhancing the functionality of the Constitutional & Civil Rights Committee, and improving public outreach by creating channels for citizen petitions and complaints, as well as a register of lawyers to assist with these cases.
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