ABTTF: "Legal scandals and pressures expose the direct influence of politics on the judiciary"
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has issued a statement highlighting the legal challenges faced by Western Thrace Turks in Greece.
The statement referred to remarks made by former Deputy Prime Minister and constitutional law professor Evangelos Venizelos on March 27, 2025, in which he criticized the rule of law, the justice system, and economic governance in Greece. ABTTF emphasized that his comments once again underscored the significance of the issue.
"The rule of law in the country is under serious threat, and the influence of politics over the judiciary has become increasingly evident," the statement read.
ABTTF also pointed to recent legal scandals and pressures, including illegal wiretapping cases and the Tempi train disaster, as clear examples of political interference in the justice system.
A 17-Year Violation of ECHR Rulings
The statement particularly focused on Greece's failure to implement European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings regarding Turkish minority associations in Western Thrace.
"For 17 years, the Greek government has refused to comply with ECHR decisions regarding our community’s associations. This is perhaps the most blatant example of the systematic violation of the rule of law and the politicization of justice in our country," ABTTF declared.
The organization’s statement appears to be an appeal to European institutions and the international community, urging them to take action against Greece’s persistent failure to uphold legal obligations concerning minority rights.
