ABTTF President criticizes Mitsotakis over international law and rule of law
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has issued a strong response to recent statements by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, criticizing what it describes as a clear contradiction between Greece’s rhetoric and its actual practices regarding international law and the rule of law.
In his first weekly review of the new year, Prime Minister Mitsotakis stated that the international community cannot remain indifferent to unlawful and authoritarian practices, emphasizing that respect for popular will, democratic transition and adherence to international rules are the only legitimate paths forward. He underlined that a world order based on human rights and respect for international law is indispensable for Greece.
“Words Do Not Match Actions”
Responding to these remarks, ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu argued that Greece’s actions fundamentally contradict its declared commitment to international law. Referring to reports by the European Commission and the European Parliament, Habip Oğlu claimed that the rule of law in Greece is being systematically violated and that international legal principles are frequently disregarded.
He noted that Greece ranks near the bottom among European countries in rule of law indices, adding that a significant portion of the population has lost trust in the government and the national parliament.
Western Thrace Turks Feel the Impact Firsthand
According to Habip Oğlu, the consequences of this democratic and legal deficit have been directly experienced for decades by the Western Thrace Turkish community. As a key example, he cited the fact that European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings against Greece concerning minority associations have remained unimplemented for nearly 18 years.
ECHR Rulings Still Ignored
In his statement, Habip Oğlu said:
“Prime Minister Mitsotakis claims that our country respects international law under all circumstances. Yet the continued failure to implement ECHR rulings for years clearly shows that this commitment does not exist in practice. Is this how our country demonstrates respect for international law?”
The ABTTF President stressed that respect for international law cannot be selective, warning that ignoring binding court rulings undermines not only minority rights but also Greece’s credibility within Europe and the international community.
