Greece / Greek Ombudsman/case 264690
Country
Greece
Year
Decision/ruling/judgment date
Incident(s) concerned/related
Related Bias motivation
Groups affected
Court/Body type
Court/Body
Key facts of the case
The head of a nursing unit at a public hospital refused to permit a student of the Muslim faith to carry out her internship at the hospital while wearing a veil. The Ombudsman requested that the hospital’s administration set out a specific and full justification, in compliance with the relevant provisions of Law 4443/2016 on the grounds for that decision. The hospital cited this was done on the grounds of public health, since the student’s practical exercise would be carried out in the internal medicine or the surgery clinic.
Main reasoning/argumentation
The Ombudsman responded to a complaint submitted by a nursing student who claimed she faced discrimination based on her religious beliefs when carrying out her training at a public hospital. The hospital demanded that the nursing student refrain from wearing her veil during her training which is contrary to her islamic faith. The Ombudsman contacted the head of the nursing unit and requested a specific and full justification in accordance with Law 4443/2016 which implemented the EU Directives 2000/43/EC and 2000/78/EC.
Is the case related to the application of the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, the Racial Equality Directive?
Key issues (concepts, interpretations) clarified by the case
Given that the case is still being examined, a full report has not been issued yet. A short description is provided by the Ombudsman in its 2019 Special Report on Equal Treatment. The Ombudsman has recorded the incident as a case of discrimination based on religious beliefs. It should be noted that the head of the nursing unit invoked public health as a justification for not permitting the student to wear a veil.
Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case
The Ombdusman states in its 2019 Special Report on Equal Treatment that the case is still being investigated. There is no information on whether the head of the nursing unit has complied or not.
Key quotation in original language and its unofficial translation into English with reference details
Not applicable. Given that the case is still being examined, a full report has not been issued yet. A short description is provided by the Ombudsman in its 2019 Special Report on Equal Treatment