ABTTF submits two written texts on minority issues to the UN
ABTTF brought the problem of freedom of association and the targeting of the Turkish community in Western Thrace to the agenda before the UN. In its written statements, ABTTF explained how the rule of law in Greece has been seriously undermined.The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) submitted two written statements to the 56th Ordinary Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council held in Geneva, Switzerland between 18 June-12 July 2024, entitled "Violation of freedom of association within the framework of restrictions on democracy and the rule of law in Greece" and "Defamation and targeting of rights defenders within the framework of systematic discrimination against the Turkish community in Western Thrace".
Regarding the question of the rule of law and freedom of association, ABTTF stated that the Turkish community in Western Thrace, whose status was determined by the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, has been struggling with systematic discrimination for many years and that in recent years, the rule of law in our country Greece has been undermined and pressure and difficulties against human rights defenders and national minorities have increased.
Stating that the freedom of association and the implementation of ECtHR judgements is one of the most important indicators of democracy and the rule of law, ABTTF stated that Greece has persistently failed to implement the three judgements against the associations of the Turkish community in Western Thrace, known as Bekir Usta and Others Group of Cases, for 16 years. ABTTF called on Greece to fully respect the freedom of association of the Turkish community in Western Thrace and to immediately implement the ECtHR judgments concerning the three Turkish associations. ABTTF also reported that in the lawsuit filed against the Western Thrace Fenerbahçeliler Culture and Sports Association, an officially registered supporters' association founded by Western Thrace Turks, on the grounds that the expression "Western Thrace" is contrary to the law and public order and poses a danger to the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the country, the association was ordered to be closed down. Stating that this decision is a clear violation of the freedom of association, ABTTF stated that this decision is a step taken to punish our community. In the second statement titled Denigration and targeting of rights defenders within the scope of systematic discrimination against the Turkish community in Western Thrace, ABTTF stated that Greece is one of the countries with the worst record on minority rights in Europe, has not ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and has not signed the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages.
ABTTF said that Turkish MPs, heads of associations and representatives of our community representing the Turkish community in Western Thrace in our country are constantly subjected to pressure and intimidation and that the news reports in the media that pump provocation and manipulation against the members of the Turkish community in Western Thrace make these people a target.
Stating that prosecutions and investigations are carried out as a means of pressure and intimidation, ABTTF noted that Ozan Ahmetoğlu, the president of our oldest association, Xanthi Turkish Union, was subjected to an investigation and then a lawsuit was filed. Stating that investigations have been initiated many times against the elected Muftis in Xanthi and Rhodope, ABTTF stated that the Turkish community in Western Thrace and the rights defenders representing the community continue to face discrimination and racism.
In a news article published in October 2021 on newsbreak.gr, a news website based in Athens, ABTTF noted that unfounded and defamatory accusations were made and ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu was constantly targeted in the local press. ABTTF called for the prevention of stigmatisation, defamation and discrediting in the political sphere and in the media. The written statement titled "Violation of the freedom of association within the framework of restrictions on democracy and the rule of law in Greece" is available at https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g24/104/91/pdf/g2410491.pdf?token=SMakzZc8TA8BR6rhWA&fe=true; the written statement titled "Defamation and targeting of rights defenders within the framework of systematic discrimination against the Turkish community in Western Thrace" is available at https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g24/110/10/pdf/g2411010.pdf?token=vVbsmAuJuDaE9olUez&fe=true.
