The draft law of the Ministry of Education, Religions and Sports entitled “Establishment of a Legal Entity of Public Law under the name” Greek Orthodox Holy Royal Autonomous Monastery of Saint and Theopistus of Sinai “was put into public consultation in public. Settings ».

The consultation will run until Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 10:00, and the bill is available for reading and submitting comments at https://www.opengov.gr/ypepth/?p=6843.

What does the bill provide

In particular, the bill includes, inter alia, a new legislative framework for the protection of academic freedom and the treatment of violence in universities, a new institutional framework for the highest duration of study and the possibilities of completion of studies at HEIs, as well as a provision for the establishment of a Greek Law Law. Sinai in Greece. “

The legislation of the draft law follows in detail

A) New legislative framework for protecting academic freedom and dealing with violence in universities

As stated in a relevant information note by the Ministry of Education, with this bill by the Government, “responding to the requirement for practical protection of academic life and with respect to the Self -Government of HEIs and following the significant reform of Law 4777/2021, […] It is proceeding with the necessary changes to ensure the full application of the law, in the context of a comprehensive and institutional treatment of violence within university sites by the state, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the proper functioning of institutions, unhindered freedom of speech, and freedom of freedom, Members of the academic community, as well as against the facilities and property of HEIs. “

Draft purpose

It is noted in the same note that the draft law aims to treat malfunctions of Law 4777/2021, the treatment of chronic pathogens in the field of higher education and the establishment of a coherent legislative framework for direct and effective action towards violence and infringement, as well as strictly and transgressor. “Applying good international practices and respecting the self -evident right of every young person to knowledge and education, the state simply does its duty to society,” he emphasizes.

Six central axes

This legislative initiative is inspired by basic rules that enhance the sense of security in the university sites and derives from six central axes related to:

Strengthening the criminal arsenal, establish a direct reaction mechanism, rationalizing the disciplinary procedure and securing accountability, the utilization of technical means of controlled access and identification, the immediate burden of existing and damages to damaging or destroying public property. behaviors.

Key points of legislative intervention:

1) Strengthening the criminal arsenal:

* Extension of Article 168 CC, so that the concept of “disturbance of service” can now explicitly cover the functioning of universities.

* Penalties for organized and violent actions, up to 10 years in prison, in cases of serious attacks and damage.

* New provisions for immediate prohibition of entry of the defendants to university sites, immediately after the prosecution.

* The supervision is undertaken by a special prosecutor in Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki, with a central coordination by the Supreme Court’s deputy at the time of the Supreme Court.

2) Establishment of self -sanctions:

* Immediate suspension of student status for those who are illegitimate.

* Removal of access, benefits and participation in academic activities.

* Final deletion in cases of irrevocable condemnation of heavy felonies.

3) rationalizing the disciplinary procedure and securing accountability:

* Institutionalization of a single disciplinary council by institution, with new composition and binding timetables.

* Institutional liability clause for inactive governing bodies, with disciplinary sanctions to pause from office.

* Converting the disciplinary procedure into an absolutely binding institutional obligation, guaranteed by clear boundaries, obligations and consequences, so that the protection of academic functioning can be based not only on the content of the rule but also in its guaranteed application.

4) Technical means of controlled access and identification:

* Establish a digital controlled access system using academic identity.

* Operation of Control and Business Center.

* Installation of surveillance media with strict guarantees of protection of all -duties of all.

* The framework does not remain at the theoretical level but is produced, since I have been confirmed in collaboration with the institutions that infrastructure, security protocols and data protection guarantees are ready.

5) Compensation for public property damage:

* ‘Immediate procedure for documenting and costing damage to short time limits.

* Fuding to the perpetrators, with a certificate of amount to be collected as any debt to the State.

6) Establishment of a National Observatory for Violence in Universities:

* Recording cases of violence and preventive actions design.

* Promoting zero tolerance culture in violence and intimidation.

(B) New institutional framework for the maximum course of study and the possibilities of completing studies in HEIs

As noted in the Ministry of Education’s information note, “with a view to respecting the efforts of all students, but also the need for institutional credibility and meritocracy during studies”, the government and the ministry “proceed to a substantial intersection that serves a dual and a dualism”:

* (a) Ensure the possibility of completing studies for those who have already progressed significantly in the program, through targeted support mechanisms.

* (b) clear limits and guarantees of transparency for the proper functioning of universities, in the European footing it must have.

Main interventions of reform

1) Establishment of maximum duration with clear boundaries

* The reform will of Law 4957/2022 is confirmed according to which the maximum period of study (minimum duration +4 or +6 semesters) is set.

* In the event of exceeding, it is provided for two months after the completion of the September repetitive examination.

2) Last Opportunity Mechanism »for active students

* Extension of attendance up to two semesters (or three, if an internship or thesis is required).

* It concerns students who have completed at least 75% of the required credit units.

3) Flexible settings for special categories

* Possibility of part -time study and suspension up to two years for workers, disability students, parents of minors, pregnant women, highly discrimination athletes and students with serious health problems.

4) New Opportunity through Exams Classification

* Increase percentage of 12%to 20%, while in regional HEIs and Theological Schools reach 30%.

* The right to participate and for students who were deleted due to time exceeded if they have guaranteed at least 120 credits.

(C) Establishment of a Legal Entity of Public Law under the name “Greek Orthodox Holy Royal Autonomous Monastery of the Holy and Theodistus Mount Sinai in Greece”, Regulations of Affairs

With this draft law, as stated in the note, “the fundamental problem of the legal personality of IM is permanently resolved. Sinai in Greece. “

“This is a critical reform for the implementation of the government’s overall policy to strengthen and support Orthodoxy in the East,” he said.

In addition, it is emphasized that the legislative framework for the licensing of places of worship that were in force from the Silk period is abolished, while ensuring that “the right to the right of worship of all religious communities and their members, through the formation of a modern, complete and coherent legislative, Orthodox Church of Christ. “

Also secured:

(a) Strengthening the Higher Ecclesiastical Academies and Departments of Theological Schools of Higher Education Institutions by facilitating the attendance of foreign students.

b) The Bektashides – Alevis Muslims of Thrace as a religious legal entity of Law 4301/2014.

(c) The facilitation of the public work of ecclesiastical institutions.

d) The strengthening of the School of Apprenticeships of Clergymen (SMK) and the facilitation of attending foreign students in the standards of ecclesiastical schools.

Finally, the Church of Sweden in Greece is recognized as a religious legal person of Law 4301/2014 (A’223), on the organization of the legal form of religious communities and their associations in Greece.