Habipoğlu: 'Greece must take into account ECtHR judgements and case law'

Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) President Halit Habipoğlu evaluated the statement of Public Law Professor Vasilis Skuris, who served as President of the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) for 12 years, on the relations of Greek judges with the ECJ. 

Habipoğlu said that Greek national courts and judges should definitely take into account the ECtHR judgements and case law.

In a programme on state television ERT3, Skuris pointed out that the European Court of Justice is the institution that ensures that the EU is a community of laws and that its most important task is to assist national courts in the correct application of EU law.

ABTTF President Habipoğlu’s statement is as follow:

"While I agree with Professor Skuris' remarks on the relationship between the Court of Justice of the EU and national courts, I would like to add. 

Just as the European Court of Justice is an indispensable institution for the correct implementation of EU law in the member states, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is equally important for the preservation and promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights in the member states of the Council of Europe. 

The implementation of ECtHR judgements is one of the most important indicators proving that the rule of law is guaranteed in the state parties. 

However, our country has been disregarding the rule of law and European values by not implementing the ECtHR judgements on the Bekir Usta and Others Case Group, which includes associations of our community in Greece, for 16 years. 

If the national courts and judges of our country do otherwise, it will not be a surprise that other associations of our community will be cancelled and closed down by the national courts on the same grounds as in the court decision regarding the closure of the Western Thrace Fenerbahce Culture and Sports Association."