ABTTF participates in UN Review of Greece under ICCPR
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), which holds special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, took part in the UN Human Rights Committee’s 142nd Session, which included a review of Greece’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The review was conducted online on October 21-22, 2024, as part of the session held in Geneva from October 14 to November 8, 2024.
In its detailed report submitted to the Committee, ABTTF highlighted the ongoing violations faced by the Turkish minority of Western Thrace, particularly concerning ethnic identity, education, freedom of association, religious rights, political representation, and hate speech, all under Article 27 of the Covenant. ABTTF emphasized that despite three European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings in the Bekir Usta case group affirming the community’s right to freedom of association, Greece has failed to implement these rulings for the past 16 years.
Melek Kırmacı, ABTTF’s Director of International Relations, raised these concerns during a civil society briefing on October 21. She pointed out that the refusal to implement ECHR decisions extends beyond these three cases, including the closure of a simple fan club for containing the term "Western Thrace" in its name, which Greek authorities deemed contrary to national unity.
In response to the review, Greece reiterated its usual position, stating that the “Muslim minority in Thrace” enjoys freedom of association, citing over 200 functioning associations. Regarding the non-implementation of ECHR rulings, Greece claimed legislative changes in 2017 now allow civil law cases to be reopened, addressing this issue.
