Advisory Board shows support to ITB in investigation

Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board (BTTADK) reacted to the investigation initiated regarding the Xanthi Turkish Union march.

In the statement made by the Advisory Board, it was stated that, "As a result of the investigation launched months later, it is our final wish that the policies of suppression and considering our minority and its struggle for rights a national threat to end."

The Advisory Board reiterated its expectation that the problems of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority should be resolved through a constructive dialogue.

The statement made by the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board is as follows:

“On July 10, 2021, seven months after the action, which was held after the Greek authorities did not implement the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in favor of the Xanthi Turkish Union. Seven months after our minority peacefully protested the usurpation of rights, the President of Xanthi Turkish Union and our board member, Mr. Ozan Ahmetoğlu was invited to Xanthi Police Department yesterday (February 9, 2022) to testify within the scope of an investigation.

As the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board we declare that we exercised our right to protest in accordance with democratic norms, without any extremism, without any provocative discourse and action.

As the Turkish minority of Western Thrace, we reiterate that we expect our country, Greece, to implement the decisions of the ECHR and to deal with the problems through a constructive dialogue.

As a result of the investigation launched months later, it is our final wish to abandon the policies of repression and considering our minority and its struggle for rights as a national threat.

Finally, we state that we are with them at every stage of this just struggle of the Xanthi Turkish Union and will provide full support.”