FUEN releases analysis on challenges faced by the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace and the Turks of Rhodes and Istanköy

The Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), of which the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) is a member, has published a new analysis on the challenges faced by the Turkish minority in Western Thrace as well as the Turkish communities of Rhodes and İstanköy. The analysis was released on FUEN’s MinorityMonitor.eu platform, which aims to provide a common space for Europe’s autochthonous national minorities and linguistic communities to publicly report rights violations.

The study, jointly presented by ABTTF, the Association of Higher Education Graduates of the Western Thrace Minority (BTAYTD), and the Cultural and Solidarity Association of Turks of Rhodes, İstanköy and the Dodecanese (ROISDER), reviewed 18 FUEN resolutions adopted between 2013 and 2024. It raises concerns about denial of ethnic identity, restrictions on education and religious freedoms, neglect of cultural heritage, revocation of citizenship, and limitations on the right to association.

According to FUEN’s assessment, Greece has violated several fundamental rights of the Turkish minority:

Right to Identity: The Turkish community’s ethnic identity is not officially recognized, being instead classified merely as a “Muslim minority,” fostering assimilation.

Freedom of Religion: The community’s right to elect its own religious leaders is denied, and arbitrary interventions are made in the administration of community foundations.

Right to Education: Bilingual Turkish schools have been closed, and there are no Turkish schools remaining in the Dodecanese.

Right to Citizenship: Thousands of people whose citizenship was revoked under Article 19 between 1955 and 1998 remain stateless.

Freedom of Association: Associations containing the words “Turk” or “minority” in their names are denied legal recognition.

Protection of Cultural Heritage: Mosques and historical structures have been left neglected, with some being demolished.

The FUEN report highlights how decades of cultural pressure, legal discrimination, and administrative obstacles have led to deep marginalization of the Turkish communities in Western Thrace and the Dodecanese. Despite repeated calls through resolutions adopted by the FUEN Congress, Greek authorities have failed to recognize the ethnic Turkish identity of the Western Thrace minority or to implement measures ensuring equal treatment in line with international human rights standards.

FUEN calls on Greece to comply with international conventions and address the systematic human rights violations faced by the Turkish communities in Western Thrace and the Dodecanese.

The full analysis is available at: https://minoritymonitor.eu/case/CHALLENGED-IDENTITY-THE-CASE-OF-THE-TURKISH-MINORITY-IN-GREECE