ABTTF represents Western Thrace Turkish Community at ELEN 2025 General Assembly
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) brought the views and demands of the Western Thrace Turkish community to the agenda during the 2025 General Assembly of the European Language Equality Network (ELEN), which brings together linguistic and national minorities across Europe.
ABTTF participated in the general assembly of ELEN, held on 14–15 November 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, hosted by CIEMEN. ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu and Deniz Servantie from the ABTTF Brussels Office attended the meeting.
Workshop on Endangered and Minority Languages
On the first day, a workshop was held within the EU-supported project “FOSTERLANG (Developing Language Capital),” aimed at protecting endangered and minority languages. Representatives from various countries shared their experiences, with a particular focus on multilingual classroom practices through the example of Catalonia.
Following the workshop, the general assembly officially began with opening remarks by ELEN President Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, ELEN Secretary General Davyth Hicks, and CIEMEN Director Jordi Garrell.
During the reception held later that evening, UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues Nicolas Levrat delivered a presentation, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation for the protection of minority languages and the advancement of minority rights. He pointed out that discrimination continues both in Europe and globally.
ABTTF Highlights Issues of Western Thrace Turks
On the second day, seven resolutions submitted by ELEN members were unanimously adopted. ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu took the floor to introduce ABTTF’s recent work — as the organization newly joined ELEN this year — and highlighted the key challenges faced by the Western Thrace Turkish community. He also shared the Federation’s activities in international platforms.
As part of the program, Habip Oğlu held discussions with UN Special Rapporteur Nicolas Levrat and Aleksandria Oszmianska-Pagett, Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. He provided updates on the current issues affecting the Western Thrace Turkish community. He also met with representatives of various minority groups in attendance.
The ELEN 2025 General Assembly concluded with a renewed call for joint action to protect minority languages and the announcement that the 2026 General Assembly will be held in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland.
