ABTTF President Habipoğlu condemns “scandalous” remarks by two Greek Ministers

The President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), Halit Habipoğlu, has strongly criticized statements made by two members of the Greek cabinet targeting international law and human rights institutions, warning that dismissing international legal norms undermines the rule of law and disproportionately harms vulnerable groups.

In a written statement, Habipoğlu stressed that replacing international law with a system shaped by political power would have negative consequences for all segments of society.

“If international law is disregarded and replaced by a law shaped by those in power, everyone in the country will suffer—first and foremost vulnerable groups. We have seen this; we are living it,” he said.

Habipoğlu pointed to the continued non-implementation of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings in the Bekir Usta and Others group of cases, noting that the decisions have remained unenforced for 18 years due to a lack of political will.

Controversial Ministerial Statements

The controversy began on Saturday, December 27, when Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis posted on social media platform X, describing Amnesty International and the International Court of Justice in The Hague as “indifferent, leftist-dominated groups,” adding that “no one should pay attention to them.”

Following this, Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris publicly supported Georgiadis, also via X. Plevris claimed that the rulings of many European and international courts, as well as decisions by international institutions, have long been influenced by a left-wing ideological hegemony, arguing that such decisions are based not on international treaties but on what he described as anti-Western, pro-migrant ideological approaches.

Political Reaction

According to Ekathimerini, the ministers’ remarks drew sharp criticism from the opposition. PASOK parliamentary spokesperson Dimitris Manos stated on Monday, December 29, that the “unacceptable posts by Ministers Georgiadis and Plevris raise serious questions about Greece’s participation in the international system governing the interpretation and application of international law.”

ABTTF’s Warning

Habipoğlu emphasized that the ministers’ statements go beyond rhetoric, revealing how the principle of the rule of law is being eroded in practice.

“Two ministers are now openly questioning international law. Under these conditions, can legislative changes truly pave the way for the implementation of ECHR rulings in the Bekir Usta case group? I highly doubt it. As we have already communicated to the Committee of Ministers, the aim is not to ensure implementation, but to prolong the process as much as possible,” he concluded.