Arrests of HIV-positive women, compulsory HIV testing and protection of personal and sensitive data in Greece and in the EU
7.5.2012
Question for written answer E-004637/2012
to the Commission
Rule 117
Gianni Vattimo (ALDE) , Henri Weber (S&D) , Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE) , Leonidas Donskis (ALDE) , Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE) , Alexander Alvaro (ALDE) , Nadja Hirsch (ALDE) and Nathalie Griesbeck (ALDE)
The Greek authorities have arrested 17 HIV-positive women and charged them with criminal offences. The women had allegedly been working illegally as prostitutes. The arrests came amid a crackdown on hundreds of unlicensed brothels around Greece a few days before the general election. In the course of the operation, 130 sex workers were arrested and subjected to compulsory HIV testing. The government has announced that hundreds more will be checked in the next few weeks.
Furthermore, on 28 April 2012 the Greek authorities — in an action without precedent in any European country — issued a press release giving full details about a 22-year-old sex worker from Russia, including photographs and information from her medical records. She denied knowing about her medical condition. On 30 April 2012 the authorities uploaded photographs of another 12 prostitutes to the Internet.
- —Does the Commission think that such acts by the Greek authorities — in particular the campaign of arrests, compulsory testing and publication of personal and sensitive medical data — comply with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the EU Treaties and the obligations deriving from the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to upholding, protecting and promoting fundamental rights, human dignity and equality, to the prohibition of discrimination (notably against HIV-positive individuals, sex workers and migrants), to the right to privacy and to the protection of personal and sensitive data, such as medical information?
- —Will the Commission consult data protection authorities to ensure that EU and national rules on data protection are complied with?
- —Will it raise its concern with the Greek authorities?
OJ C 166 E, 12/06/2013