Greek government ignores Western Thrace Turks' right to have a say in their schools

The powers of school committees are being restricted, and decisions are made without consulting them. This situation is causing significant concern within the minority community and is in violation of international law.

Ozan Ahmetoğlu, President of the Committee of Xanthi Minority Secondary School and High School, explained to an AA correspondent, "The powers of our school committees, which are elected by parents, have unfortunately been curtailed by laws and decisions made by Greece over the years." He emphasized that until now, decisions regarding the extension or replacement of school principals in Xanthi and Komotini were made after consulting with these committees.

However, on September 2, changes were made at the Celal Bayar Minority Secondary School and High School in Komotini without consulting the committees, effectively stripping them of their decision-making authority in such matters. Ahmetoğlu highlighted that this has significantly disturbed the minority community.

This Decision Violates the Treaty of Lausanne

Ahmetoğlu stated that the decision violates the Treaty of Lausanne, as well as other bilateral agreements on education and culture between Turkey and Greece. He called for greater dialogue between the committees and educational authorities, rather than excluding them from these processes.

Aydın Ahmet, President of the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers' Association, also pointed out that the practice violates both bilateral agreements and international law. He stressed that it is an attempt to deprive the Turkish minority of their right to have a say in their schools, which is unacceptable.

"The Disregard for Our Minority Is Now an Open Violation of Rights"

Ahmet further remarked, "We are facing yet another violation of rights that proves how justified our previous reactions were to the forced removal of the educational rights granted to us by international and bilateral agreements. The mindset that has ignored our minority in all issues now openly violates our rights without hesitation."

Hüseyin Baltacı, President of the Western Thrace Minority Graduates Association, added that Greece’s longstanding practices, especially in the past year, have become intolerable. He stated, "This destructive mindset is undermining Greece's democratic values, the Treaty of Lausanne, and bilateral relations and agreements between Turkey and Greece."

Baltacı linked this move to increased pressure on the Turkish minority following Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay's visit to the Celal Bayar Minority Secondary School and High School on July 25. He warned that the ultimate goal seems to be the closure of all Turkish schools.

He concluded, "The Turkish community of Western Thrace will never give up its fight for rights. With a spirit of unity and solidarity, we will strive to reverse this negative management mentality. We will continue to fight resolutely to protect our fundamental rights and freedoms."

(Source: AA)