ABTTF criticizes Greece over minority rights and recognition issues
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has criticized Greece's stance on minority rights, accusing the country of applying double standards while calling on neighboring Albania to respect the rights of its Greek minority.
The statement came after Greece reacted to incidents that occurred during protests on May 30 against a planned tourism investment project in the protected ecological area of Zvërnec in Albania. Greek authorities called for an investigation into the injury of a citizen of Greek origin and emphasized the importance of protecting property rights, the rule of law, and the rights of the Greek National Minority in Albania, linking these issues to Albania’s European Union accession process.
Commenting on the matter, ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu argued that Greece should address its own record on minority rights before criticizing neighboring countries.
“While we understand Greece’s reaction as the kin-state of the Greek minority in Albania, it is difficult to comprehend why the issue is once again being linked to Albania’s EU accession process and the rule of law,” Habip Oğlu said.
He further claimed that Greece continues to deny the ethnic identity and existence of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and the Macedonian minority living within its borders. Habip Oğlu also stated that Greece has yet to implement judgments of the European Court of Human Rights concerning the ‘Home of Macedonian Civilization’ case and rulings related to Western Thrace Turkish associations.
According to ABTTF, Greece should end what it describes as a long-standing policy of double standards and recognize the rights and identities of minority communities residing in the country.
The Greek government has consistently maintained that it fully respects human rights and minority protections in accordance with its constitutional and international obligations.
