Arbitrary interventions in Turkish Minority schools: Tensions persist, joint statement from School Committees
The School Committees of the Komotini and Xanthi Turkish Minority High Schools issued a joint statement on September 21, 2024, responding to claims made by Marigula Kosmidou, the Acting Director of Primary and Secondary Education for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
The School Committees rejected Kosmidou's claims about the school principal appointments, stating that their objections were legitimate and justified. They emphasized that ignoring the role of the Committees in the appointment process was unacceptable, highlighting that the status of minority education is protected by the Lausanne Peace Treaty and other international agreements, which cannot be violated.
The statement also criticized Kosmidou's evaluation of minority education as incomplete and erroneous. They expressed concern over attempts to weaken the authority of minority education institutions, warning that such actions would constitute a violation of human rights. The School Committees called for an immediate resolution to this situation, asserting that their legal and historical rights must be respected.
The joint statement reflects the ongoing tensions surrounding minority education and calls for adherence to international agreements, particularly the Lausanne Treaty, which guarantees the rights of the Turkish minority in Greece.
