Capital punishment in Greece

Death Penalty laws in Europe

Capital punishment in Greece refers to the legal process in which a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. The practice has a long history in Greece, but it has been abolished in recent years.

History

Capital punishment has been a part of the Greek legal system since ancient times. In Ancient Greece, various methods of execution were employed, including stoning, hanging, and poisoning. The most famous case of capital punishment in ancient Greece is the execution of the philosopher Socrates in 399 BC, who was sentenced to death by drinking a cup of hemlock.

During the Byzantine Empire, capital punishment continued to be used for serious crimes such as treason, murder, and heresy. The methods of execution during this period included beheading, burning at the stake, and crucifixion.

In the modern era, Greece retained the death penalty for certain crimes. However, the use of capital punishment began to decline in the 20th century. The last execution in Greece took place in 1972.

Abolition

Greece officially abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1993. In 2004, Greece abolished the death penalty for all crimes, including those committed during wartime. This move was part of Greece's commitment to human rights and its obligations as a member of the European Union and the Council of Europe.

Legal Framework

The abolition of capital punishment in Greece is enshrined in the Constitution of Greece. Article 7 of the Constitution explicitly prohibits the death penalty, stating that "the death penalty is prohibited except in cases provided for by law for acts committed in time of war and only by a decision of a military court."

International Commitments

Greece is a signatory to several international treaties that prohibit the use of capital punishment. These include the European Convention on Human Rights and its Protocols, which Greece ratified in 1998, and the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which aims at the abolition of the death penalty.

Public Opinion

Public opinion in Greece has generally been supportive of the abolition of the death penalty. Surveys conducted in recent years indicate that a majority of Greeks oppose the reintroduction of capital punishment, viewing it as a violation of human rights and an ineffective deterrent to crime.

See Also

• Human rights in Greece
• Judicial system of Greece
• European Convention on Human Rights
• Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights