The problems of the Macedonian minority in Greece discussed in the program "Facts About Our Country"

The fifth episode of online program series titled "Facts About Our Country" that organised by Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) was broadcast on February 24, 2022.

Eugenia Natsoulidou, a founding member of the Macedonian minority non-profit organization "Krste Misirkov (Movement to Promote Macedonian Mother Tongue)," was the guest of the fifth episode. Natsoulidou answered the questions of the program's moderator, Nihan Ayan from the Athens Office of the ABTTF, about the problems faced by the Macedonian minority, which Greece does not accept their existence and does not recognize as a minority.

Natsoulidou stated that the language and culture of the Macedonian minority in Greece is completely different from the Greek language and culture and noted that Greece does not recognize any ethnic minorities within its borders, because if it starts to recognize ethnic minorities, the structure based on the assumption that all Greeks came from Ancient Greece will collapse. Natsoulidou added that it is very difficult to change this perception in the country because there is no political will in this direction.

Natsoulidou stated that the most important problems of the Macedonian minority are not being officially recognized as well as being excluded and being deprived of their citizenship rights protected by the country's constitution. She further emphasized that Greek authorities do not allow them to express their Macedonian identity, that they are unable to form associations promoting local Macedonian traditions, and that they are not provided a location when they request to host an event.

Explaining the legal process before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the Macedonian Culture House, Natsoulidou noted that the registration application of the association, which was requested to be established by Macedonians living in Florina in 1990, was rejected by Greek courts on the grounds that Macedonian ethnicity did not exist in the country. Stating that they applied to the ECtHR after the domestic remedies were exhausted, Natsoulidou said that the ECHR condemned Greece twice for violating Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights on freedom of association.

Natsoulidou stated that the main purpose of "Krste Misirkov" is to promote Macedonian language learning, noting that their application for registration in the Greek Ministry of Culture's registry of associations was initially accepted but later cancelled. Natsoulidou added that they will apply again to the Ministry of Culture for the registration of their organization, and that they will take legal action if they receive a refusal.

Natsoulidou stated that Greece's claim that there is no ethnic minority in the country is not true and emphasized that what the state should do is to protect minorities and respect their rights on the basis of international agreements accepted by the Council of Europe and other international organizations, calling the government to grant and protect the rights of all minorities in Greece.

You can watch the entire program, which is broadcast live simultaneously on ABTTF's YouTube channel and Facebook page, in Greek and English by clicking the links below:

YouTube English : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRMRSREn4SA&t=92s

YouTube Greek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1n6Axld4dI&t=30s

Facebook English: https://www.facebook.com/939989616164959/videos/529074878514789

FacebookGreek:

https://www.facebook.com/939989616164959/videos/258445379780642