ABTTF responds to Archbishop Elpidoforos over religious freedoms
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has responded to comments by Archbishop Elpidoforos of America concerning the reopening of the Halki Seminary, emphasizing that religious freedom and human rights must be applied universally and not only to a specific minority.
ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu criticized the archbishop's remarks, arguing that discussions on religious freedom and minority rights should address the rights of all minority communities.
Elpidoforos links Halki Seminary to religious freedom
Archbishop Elpidoforos, who was born in Istanbul, recently spoke about the reopening of the Halki Seminary, arguing that the issue should not be viewed solely from the perspective of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople or the wider Orthodox world.
According to Elpidoforos, the matter should instead be considered within the broader framework of protecting religious freedoms and human rights.
ABTTF highlights Lausanne Treaty framework
Responding to the comments, Habip Oğlu emphasized what he described as the principle of universality in religious freedoms and minority rights.
He said the 1923 Lausanne Treaty established the status of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority in Greece and the Greek Orthodox minority in Türkiye, while providing guarantees concerning their educational and religious autonomy.
Habip Oğlu also argued that Türkiye has taken a number of concrete steps in recent years to improve the rights of the Greek Orthodox minority, while claiming that the problems facing the Western Thrace Turkish Minority in Greece remain unresolved and that new difficulties have emerged.
Dispute over mufti appointments
Habip Oğlu specifically criticized Greece's policy regarding muftis in Western Thrace, claiming that the Greek government does not recognize muftis elected by the Western Thrace Turkish Minority according to its own preferences and instead appoints state-designated muftis.
He argued that this practice is incompatible with the religious autonomy of the minority.
The ABTTF president further claimed that Law 4964/2022 abolished the autonomous structure of the mufti offices and transformed them into state administrative bodies, describing the change as an infringement on the religious autonomy of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.
The ABTTF's response comes amid broader debates over minority rights, religious freedom and the status of religious institutions in Greece and Türkiye.
