ABTTF urges Greece to end discrimination
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has called on Greece to end discriminatory practices against the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, in a statement marking March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
ABTTF President Halit Habipoğlu highlighted that March 21, established by the United Nations (UN) in 1966, is being observed this year under the theme "60th Anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)." He emphasized that systematic discrimination against the Turkish community in Western Thrace continues in Greece.
“Our country, Greece, must stop perceiving our community as a threat and take immediate steps to address our concerns,” said Habipoğlu.
He criticized Greece’s denial of the Turkish identity, the ban on associations using the name ‘Turkish’, and the hate speech targeting the community.
Additionally, Habipoğlu recalled that in last year’s European Parliament elections, the Friendship, Equality, and Peace (DEB) Party, which won the most votes in Rhodope and Xanthi, was stigmatized in Greek politics and media, with a petition submitted to the Supreme Court for its closure.
Quoting UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who recently warned that racism remains a global threat, Habipoğlu stressed that Greece must fully implement the ICERD convention and take effective measures against racism.
ABTTF urged Greece to take concrete steps to ensure that the Turkish minority in Western Thrace can live with equal rights, free from racial and discriminatory practices.
