Çınar Association: "The court's decision is contrary to the Treaty of Lausanne and human rights"
The Çınar Association, based in Xanthi, Western Thrace, reacted strongly to the decision of the Rodopi Civil Court of First Instance to close the Western Thrace Fenerbahçe Fenerbahçe Fenerbahçe Sports and Culture Association. The association stated that they met this decision taken on 28 May 2024 with concern. The court had ordered the closure of the association on the grounds that the expression "Western Thrace" in the name of the association was against the national interests of Greece.
Çınar Association emphasised that the decision contradicts international law, human rights and democratic values.
International Law and Human Rights Violations
Çınar Association stated that the rights of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace are violated despite the judgements of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). It stated that the closure of associations due to their names is a violation of fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of association and is clearly against the rules of international law.
Treaty of Lausanne and Democratic Values
Çınar Association reminded that the expression "Western Thrace" was included in Article 2 of the Turkey-Greece population exchange agreement made in addition to the 1923 Lausanne Peace Treaty. It was stated that Greece officially recognised the expression "Western Thrace" with this agreement and it was emphasised that the prohibition of the expression "Western Thrace" in the name of the association is contrary to the Treaty of Lausanne and constitutes a great contradiction.
Indicator of Antidemocratic Policies
Çınar Association stated that the closure of the Western Thrace Fenerbahce Association, which was previously registered with a court decision, now due to the expression "Western Thrace" in its name, is a clear indication of antidemocratic policies towards the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace. It stated that this is an attitude that disregards the concepts of democracy, equality, law and human rights.
Call for Solidarity and Support
Çınar Association expressed that it hopes that this antidemocratic decision will be reversed as soon as possible and that they stand by the Western Thrace Fenerbahce Association in its just struggle. It emphasised that the decision should be condemned by the international community and should be withdrawn immediately.
Conclusion
Çınar Association strongly condemned the decision of the Rodopi Civil Court of First Instance to close down the Western Thrace Fenerbahçe Fenerbahçe Fenerbahçe Sports and Culture Association. Stating that the decision is a clear attack on the fundamental rights of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, the association invited the Greek government and judicial bodies to respect minority rights and to act in accordance with international law and human rights. The association demanded the immediate withdrawal of this decision.
