FUEN raises Western Thrace Turkish Minority rights at Council of Europe CINGOs General Assembly
The Federal Union of European Nationalities brought renewed international attention to the rights of the Western Thrace Turkish minority during the Spring General Assembly of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe, held between April 14–17.
Representing its member organization, the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe, FUEN highlighted what it described as the systematic violation of freedom of association in Greece, affecting both the Turkish minority of Western Thrace and the Macedonian minority.
During the session, FUEN—through its Turkish Minorities/Communities Working Group (TAG)—raised concerns over Greece’s continued failure to implement rulings by the European Court of Human Rights. Specifically, it pointed to the long-standing non-enforcement of decisions related to the “Bekir Usta and Others” case group, which has remained unresolved for 18 years.
The General Assembly also reviewed a report prepared following a CINGOs fact-finding mission to Greece in November 2025. Presenting the findings, Jeremy McBride, Chair of the Expert Council on NGO Law, sharply criticized Greek authorities for failing to comply with ECHR rulings concerning minority associations.
McBride stated that justifications presented by Greek officials—particularly those rooted in geopolitical concerns—were political in nature and could not legally justify ongoing restrictions on freedom of association. He further warned that a second legislative amendment currently under preparation in Greece is unlikely to resolve the issue or ensure compliance with ECHR decisions.
Calling for stronger action, McBride urged the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to adopt a firmer stance toward Greece regarding the implementation of these rulings.
Speaking on behalf of FUEN, TAG Secretariat member Melek Kırmacı emphasized that objections by Greek authorities to the use of the term “Turkish” in association names lack both legal and democratic legitimacy. She stressed that ECHR jurisprudence is clear: the inclusion of an ethnic identifier in an association’s name does not constitute a threat to public order or national security.
Kırmacı also highlighted broader concerns regarding civil society freedoms in Greece, noting that while associations using certain ethnic identifiers face barriers, others—such as those using the term “Pomak”—have not encountered similar restrictions. She argued that this inconsistency directly impacts the functioning and existence of civil society in the country.
The intervention underscored growing international scrutiny over minority rights and democratic standards in Greece, with calls intensifying for the full and immediate implementation of ECHR rulings.
