Greece once again denies Turkish identity of Western Thrace minority
The Greek government has once again officially denied the ethnic Turkish identity of the Western Thrace minority. In a written statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Greece responded to a social media post by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry celebrating the anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Union of Xanthi.
According to the statement, the Lausanne Treaty makes reference to a religious, not ethnic, minority in the region. “The Lausanne Treaty is clear and explicitly defines the minority in Thrace as a religious minority. The Greek state fully respects the religious beliefs and cultural characteristics of the Muslim minority in Thrace and ensures full equality before the law for all Greek citizens who are members of this minority,” the ministry stated.
CONTINUED DENIAL OF TURKISH IDENTITY
Despite repeated international criticism, Greece continues to officially deny the existence of an ethnic Turkish minority in Western Thrace. Relying on the wording of the Lausanne Treaty, Greece permits associations that do not include the word “Turkish” in their name to operate freely, while refusing to reinstate the legal status of the Turkish Union of Xanthi—even after judgments by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in its favor.
This longstanding policy raises significant concerns from the perspective of universal human rights principles and international minority rights standards. The Greek state’s persistent denial of the Turkish identity and refusal to legally recognize one of the region’s oldest associations is widely considered a violation of fundamental rights.
RIGHT TO IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION
The recognition of ethnic identity and the freedom to express it are fundamental human rights. Systematically denying the identity of a group that self-identifies as Turkish amounts to a violation of freedom of expression and community rights.
ECHR JUDGMENTS
The European Court of Human Rights has issued several rulings condemning Greece’s stance on this matter, emphasizing the importance of freedom of association and respect for identity. Greece’s refusal to comply not only breaches its domestic legal obligations but also its commitments under the Council of Europe.
THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE
Modern international law affirms the right of minorities to establish their own associations to preserve their ethnic and cultural identities. By banning or refusing to recognize associations that include the word “Turkish,” Greece undermines this essential right.
THE LAUSANNE TREATY IN CONTEXT
Although the Lausanne Treaty identifies the minority in religious terms, it does not mandate the denial of ethnic identity. On the contrary, evolving international human rights norms call for expanding these rights and allowing for the free expression of identity.
The Greek government’s refusal to acknowledge the ethnic Turkish identity of the Western Thrace minority is not only a historical and political issue but also a legal and moral one. The right of minorities to define and maintain their ethnic identity is a cornerstone of democratic societies. Denying this right risks fostering exclusion, discrimination, and societal division.
Despite clear legal obligations and the principles of pluralism and tolerance embraced by the European Union, Greece remains unwilling to recognize the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.
