Habipoğlu criticizes Greek Media for ignoring ECtHR ruling on Minority Association
Halit Habipoğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), has sharply criticized the Greek media for failing to report on a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in favor of the Turkish Women’s Cultural Association of Xanthi.
In a written statement, Habipoğlu stated that the ECtHR had unanimously ruled that Greece violated the association’s freedom of association rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. However, the verdict received no coverage in the Greek press.
“It is deeply concerning that the decision, which clearly points to a human rights violation, was ignored by our national media. Yet Türkiye’s official response to the ruling was portrayed with headlines such as ‘Ankara Challenges Again,’” said Habipoğlu.
He emphasized that Türkiye’s reaction to the ruling is entirely legitimate, given its cultural and historical ties to the Turkish minority in Western Thrace. “It’s pure hypocrisy to criticize Türkiye for speaking out, while the Greek Foreign Ministry often issues statements concerning the Greek diaspora abroad,” he added.
Habipoğlu pointed out that this marks the fourth ECtHR ruling on similar minority issues involving the Turkish community in Western Thrace. “Three earlier rulings have remained unimplemented for 17 years. The Sağır case is now the fourth. The Court clearly stated that even if the Treaty of Lausanne only recognizes a ‘Muslim minority,’ referring to the group as a ‘Turkish minority’ poses no threat to public order or democratic society.”
He urged not only the government but also all political parties and the Greek media to break their silence on this matter. “Even Panayote Dimitras, Director of the Greek Helsinki Monitor, has drawn attention to this issue. Anyone in this country who believes in democracy should abandon this willful blindness,” Habipoğlu said.
He concluded by calling on other human rights organizations to raise their voices and urged the Greek Parliament to bring the ruling to its agenda. “These violations are not just legal issues; they concern fundamental human rights, democracy, and the rule of law,” he said.
