ABTTF issues message on 21 March International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
This year's theme of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March, which is celebrated with various events around the world, is "A Decade of Recognition, Justice and Development: Implementing the International Decade for People of African Descent".
Noting that the legacy of racial discrimination, slavery and colonialism continues to ruin lives and limit opportunities, preventing billions of people from fully enjoying their human rights and freedoms, the UN notes that some 200 million people who identify themselves as of African descent live in the Americas, while millions more live outside Africa in other parts of the world.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March, underlined that racism is an evil that affects countries and societies around the world, an entrenched legacy of colonialism and enslavement, noting that its consequences are devastating, rights are violated and lives are destroyed. Noting that people of African descent face a unique history of systematic and institutionalised racism and profound challenges today, he said governments must implement policies and take measures to eliminate racism against people of African descent.
Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) President Halit Habip Oğlu said: "While racism and xenophobia unfortunately continue to increase worldwide, especially in Europe, far-right and populist parties are gaining more power in politics. In our country Greece, the Turkish community in Western Thrace is subjected to racist and discriminatory discourses and practices today as in the past, and is shown as a threat and danger in politics and mainstream media. The Turkish identity and existence of our community, which has been experiencing systematic discrimination in its own country for years, is rejected by the state and as a result of this, our associations with 'Turkish' names are not registered. Before and after the last general elections held in our country last year, our community was directly targeted in politics and the media, and the free will of the voters from our community was ignored. We demand from our country to stop seeing and showing us as an element of threat and danger and to establish direct dialogue with us for the solution of our problems by fully respecting our rights."
