FUEN adopts resolution on religious autonomy of Western Thrace Turkish minority
The resolution was submitted jointly by the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association (BTAYTD) and the Friendship Equality Peace (DEB) Party during FUEN’s annual congress in Helsinki, Finland, held from September 17 to 20.
The resolution, titled “Ongoing Interference in the Religious Autonomy of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority and Violations of Freedom of Religion,” was approved by the FUEN Delegates’ Assembly on September 19.
Resolution focuses on mufti elections
According to the resolution, the religious status and rights of the Western Thrace Turkish minority are protected under the 1913 Treaty of Athens and the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne.
The resolution argues that these frameworks give the minority the right to elect its own muftis as religious leaders and to administer its religious institutions.
It also refers to the appointment of muftis by the Greek state since 1991 and to Law 4964/2022, under which mufti offices were restructured as public services under the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.
The resolution further refers to the appointment of a mufti in Didymoteicho (Dedeağaç) in 2026 and to processes concerning new muftis in İskeçe (Xanthi) and Gümülcine (Komotini). The organisations behind the resolution argue that these practices are incompatible with the minority’s religious autonomy and its claimed right to choose its own religious leaders.
Resolution compares treatment of religious communities
The FUEN resolution also discusses the treatment of several religious communities in Greece, including Orthodox, Catholic, Jewish, Armenian Apostolic and Evangelical communities.
It argues that these communities have the right to select their own religious leaders, while claiming that the religious institutions of the Western Thrace Turkish minority remain subject to state control.
The resolution frames the issue in terms of equality and non-discrimination.
It also refers to an incident at Çınar Mosque in İskeçe (Xanthi) during Friday prayers on October 11, 2024. According to the resolution, four members of the Western Thrace Turkish minority were subsequently sentenced to 17 months in prison in a case arising from the incident.
FUEN calls on Greece to recognise religious autonomy
The resolution calls on Greece to grant the Western Thrace Turkish minority the same religious autonomy and right to choose its religious leaders as other religious communities in the country.
It also calls for an end to the practice of state-appointed muftis, the restoration of the minority’s religious autonomy, and recognition and respect for elected representatives of the minority in matters concerning religious institutions and religious life.
These are recommendations contained in the resolution and represent the position adopted by FUEN’s Delegates’ Assembly; their adoption does not itself constitute a change in Greek law.
Separate resolution addresses Turks of Rhodes and Kos
FUEN’s Delegates’ Assembly also adopted a separate resolution concerning the rights of the Turkish community on Rhodes and Kos.
Submitted by the Association for Culture and Solidarity of Turks of Rhodes, Kos and the Dodecanese (ROİSDER), the resolution calls on Greece to recognise the community’s right to freely express its ethnic identity and organise collectively.
It also calls for permission to establish bilingual schools providing education in Turkish and Greek, respect for religious autonomy and the right to choose religious leaders, greater community involvement in the administration of charitable foundations, and protection of Turkish cultural heritage and historical sites.
The resolution additionally calls on Greek authorities to establish dialogue with community representatives to address what it describes as longstanding issues affecting Turks of Rhodes and Kos.
