ABTTF submits written opinion on Greek Ministry report concerning Western Thrace

Federation Criticizes Bias and Calls for Restoration of Religious Autonomy

The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has submitted a written opinion to the relevant Greek authorities regarding issues related to the Western Thrace Turkish community contained in a report published by Greece’s Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports titled “Incidents in Areas of Religious Significance in Greece – 2024.”

In its submission, ABTTF highlighted the problems and demands faced by the Western Thrace Turkish community in religious matters, emphasizing its religious autonomy guaranteed under international treaties. The federation also drew attention to the state-led violation of religious freedoms of the Turkish communities in Rhodes and Kos (Istanköy).

Additionally, ABTTF addressed ongoing issues related to the protection and restoration of historic mosques inherited from the Ottoman era across Greece.

“Superficial, Incomplete, and Biased”

ABTTF criticized the report for containing superficial, incomplete, and inaccurate information regarding both the Western Thrace Turkish community and the Turkish communities of Rhodes and İstanköy. The federation stated that the report merely reiterates the official state narrative, undermining its credibility and reliability at the most fundamental level.

International Treaties Ignored

ABTTF underlined that the religious autonomy of the Western Thrace Turkish community is guaranteed under the 1830 Protocol, the 1881 Convention, the 1913 Treaty of Athens, and the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne.

While the Greek state does not interfere in the organization and functioning of the Orthodox Church, recognized as the dominant religion, or the Jewish community, recognized as a religious community, ABTTF stressed that it directly intervenes in the religious affairs of the Turkish minority, thereby violating the international treaties to which Greece is a party.

Dual Mufti System in Western Thrace

The federation recalled that a law enacted in 1991 led to the state appointment of muftis in Gümülcine, İskeçe, and Dimetoka, contrary to the community’s religious autonomy. As a result, Western Thrace currently has a dual structure: muftis appointed by the state but not recognized by the community, and muftis elected by the community but not recognized by the state.

ABTTF also criticized the appointment of a new mufti in Dimetoka under Law No. 4964/2022, titled “Modernization of the Mufti Offices in Thrace,” a law the Turkish community has opposed from the outset. The federation stated that this unilateral appointment once again disregards the community’s will and religious autonomy guaranteed by the 1913 Treaty of Athens and the Treaty of Lausanne.

Religious Rights in Rhodes and İstanköy

ABTTF further noted that the religious freedoms of the Turkish community in Rhodes and İstanköy continue to be violated. The mufti on the islands served until his death in 1974, after which the state closed the Mufti Office in Rhodes, stripping the local Turkish community of its right to determine its religious leadership. To this day, no mufti exists on the islands.

ABTTF’s Demands

In its written opinion, ABTTF called for:

• The full restoration of religious autonomy of the Western Thrace Turkish community
• Official recognition of muftis elected by the community as legitimate religious leaders
• Repeal of Law No. 4115/2013, Presidential Decree No. 52/2019, and Law No. 4964/2022
• Restoration of the religious, cultural, and educational rights of the Turkish communities in Rhodes and Kos