FEP Party voices support for Minority School Boards in Western Thrace
The Friendship, Equality, and Peace Party (FEP Party) has expressed concern over reports that school boards (Encümen Heyetleri) of Turkish minority schools in Western Thrace are being denied entry to the schools they legally oversee.
In a statement, the party emphasized that school boards are the rightful administrators of minority schools, and preventing their access contradicts minority rights and the official rhetoric of Greece.
The FEP Party statement said:
“We have been following with concern the refusal to allow our Encümen Heyetleri to enter minority schools.
Schools are not just classrooms; they are institutions where our language, culture, and identity are managed collectively. The role of school boards is not a privilege but a founding principle.
Denying school boards entry undermines minority rights, contradicts the Lausanne Treaty, and threatens the integrity of education. The recent action by the İskeçe Minority High School Board is a clear reminder that the rightful administrators are present and active. FEP Party stands firmly with the Encümen Heyetleri and will continue to advocate for genuine autonomy and democratic management of minority education.”
The statement reflects ongoing tensions regarding the administration of Turkish minority schools in Greece and highlights the FEP Party’s commitment to defending the rights and autonomy of these institutions.
