Support from EFA (European Free Alliance) to DEB Party and President Asafoğlu
The statement is as follows:
"Following the release of a video by DEB’s President Cigdem Asafoglu (Dostluk Esitlik Baris Partisi – The Party of Friendship, Equality and Peace) expressing her sadness and concerns about the lack of contact from Greece’s President during her visit to the region, a smear campaign against DEB’s President and the party has been launched by several media outlets in the country.
DEP represents the Turkish minority of Western Thrace in Greece. They have participated twice in the elections, becoming the first elected party in the provinces of Xanthi and Rhodope, where the minority population is greatest. They stand for democratic and peaceful dialogue with state officials to solve the multiple injustices that they face. These demands for dialogue continue, so far, to be ignored, as demonstrated by the lack of contact from Greece’s President during her last visit.
After the release of the video, a smear campaign in nearly 100 media outlets against the DEB and its President was launched, including death threats, slander and verbal abuse, as well as racist speech against the community in Western Thrace.
At EFA we support our member party DEB and their democratic demands. We are strongly against any kind of violence or abuse towards the Turkish minority of Western Thrace in Greece and demand an end to the smear campaign to DEB and its President.
Watch the Video"
