Hakan Çavuşoğlu calls for protection of Western Thrace Turkish minority education rights
Presidential Legal Policies Board member Hakan Çavuşoğlu has criticized recent developments affecting the educational rights of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, urging Greece to fully uphold its obligations under international law and the Treaty of Lausanne.
Çavuşoğlu condemned reported attempts to cancel the registrations of students enrolled at the İskeçe Central Turkish Minority Primary School, describing the move as unacceptable. He also voiced concern over the planned suspension of several Turkish minority primary schools in Western Thrace due to low enrollment, arguing that such measures weaken minority education instead of protecting it.
Emphasizing that the Treaty of Lausanne guarantees the educational, religious and cultural rights of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, Çavuşoğlu said Greece is expected to preserve and strengthen minority educational institutions rather than impose additional restrictions.
He stressed that minority schools represent an essential component of the community's identity and cultural continuity, calling on Greek authorities to safeguard these institutions and ensure that minority children can fully exercise their right to education.
The remarks come amid growing criticism from representatives of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority over recent decisions affecting minority education in the region.
