ABTTF President holds working visit to PACE Autumn Session
Accompanied by ABTTF’s Director of International Relations, Melek Kırmacı, Habip Oğlu met with PACE members and representatives of Council of Europe bodies, raising pressing issues concerning the Western Thrace Turkish community.
During his meetings, Habip Oğlu emphasized Greece’s persistent refusal to implement rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), particularly regarding the Bekir Usta case group, which has awaited enforcement for 16 years. He noted that the Greek government continues to employ delaying tactics, while the case remains under review by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
Ahead of the Committee's examination in December, Habip Oğlu stressed that the enforcement of the ECHR rulings in the Bekir Usta case is crucial for Greece's democratization and rule of law.
He also expressed concern over the recent decision to shut down the Western Thrace Fenerbahçe Cultural and Sports Association and the media and legal efforts to dissolve the Friendship, Equality, and Peace (DEB) Party, which represents the Turkish minority. Habip Oğlu highlighted the increasing stigmatization and hate speech against representatives of the Western Thrace Turkish community, stating that this rhetoric aims to foster an "internal enemy" perception.
