The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece issued a statement expressing support for a controversial anti-racism bill, foreseeing stiffer penalties for individuals and political parties which engage in racism or incite racist violence, which is to be debated in Parliament next week.
In a statement, the Synod noted that the provisions of the bill could contribute to “the effort to safeguard social peace for all… irrespective of sex, color, religion.”
The clerics asked for one additional provision to be inserted in the bill prohibiting the rejection of the genocide of Christians in Asia Minor between 1908 and 1922.
The legislation, which has been repeatedly delayed and redrafted, is still opposed by 38 conservative New Democracy MPs who object to the fact that it lacks a clause banning the rejection of the genocide of Christians in Asia Minor and of Black Sea Greeks.