(Liberties on CIVICUS Monitor) A new central database is to be created by anti-money laundering authorities in Greece, according to media reports in November 2018. The initiative is led by the Supreme Court deputy prosecutor with the aim to create a national register to enable authorities to supervise all operations of NGOs, particularly regarding funding. This is a concerning development, given the growing hostile environment towards NGOs in Greece. NGOs working on behalf of refugees and migrants in Greece have been particularly targeted and prosecuted for money laundering, based on accusations which misrepresent their humanitarian fundraising activities. The CIVICUS Monitor reported in October 2018 of humanitarian volunteers arrested and charged with a number of offences including money laundering for helping migrants, with some facing up to 20 years imprisonment.
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