ABTTF urges Greece to address Western Thrace Turkish minority rights
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has called on Greece to address long-standing concerns over the rights of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, arguing that the European Union’s principles on minority protection and the rule of law must apply equally to member states and candidate countries.
ABTTF President Halit Habipoglu made the appeal following remarks by Ireland’s Ambassador to Athens, Ciara O’Floinn, on the rights of the Greek minority in Albania. Habipoglu said comparable attention should be paid to the rights and concerns of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.
In a statement reported by Gündem newspaper on 14 October 2026, Habipoglu called for action on issues including the recognition of the minority’s Turkish identity, freedom of association and the implementation of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) judgments against Greece.
ABTTF CALLS FOR EQUAL STANDARDS ON MINORITY RIGHTS
O’Floinn reportedly addressed the Greek Parliament’s committees on European affairs and foreign affairs, outlining Ireland’s priorities during its presidency of the Council of the European Union. Speaking about Albania’s EU accession process, she stressed the importance of compliance with the Copenhagen criteria, the rule of law and respect for the rights of the Greek minority in Albania.
Habipoglu argued that these principles should also guide the treatment of minorities within EU member states.
“The Copenhagen criteria, respect for the rule of law and the protection of minorities are not obligations that only EU candidate countries must fulfil,” Habipoglu said, according to the report. He added that EU membership should not exempt any country from scrutiny over human rights and minority rights.
IDENTITY AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION REMAIN KEY CONCERNS
Habipoglu said the Western Thrace Turkish Minority continues to face what ABTTF describes as the denial of its ethnic Turkish identity and restrictions on freedom of association.
He also highlighted ECHR judgments against Greece that, according to ABTTF, have remained unimplemented for more than 18 years. The statement further raised concerns about education and religious autonomy, which the federation says are protected by international treaties.
ABTTF called for these issues to be addressed through the principles of the rule of law, equality and human rights.
CALL FOR ACTION ON ECHR JUDGMENTS
The federation urged Greece not to overlook the concerns and alleged rights violations affecting the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. It called for outstanding issues to be resolved in line with European human rights standards and the principles underpinning the EU.
The claims regarding minority rights and the implementation of court judgments reflect ABTTF’s position as an advocacy organisation. The status of individual judgments and the relevant legal proceedings should be assessed against the records of the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe.
Source: Gündem
