Hasan Küçük: Appointed mufti practice in Dimetoka violates the Lausanne Treaty
Hasan Küçük, President of the Western Thrace Turks Solidarity Association (BTTDD), has issued a written statement strongly condemning the appointed mufti practice implemented in Dimetoka, describing it as a serious infringement on the religious freedom and legitimate rights of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.
Küçük stated that the mufti issue has been deliberately, systematically and intentionally left unresolved by Greece for years, while the will, democratic choices and legitimate representatives of the minority have been consistently ignored.
“The appointment carried out in Dimetoka without consulting the minority in any form constitutes a clear usurpation of authority and a blatant violation of rights,” Küçük said.
Violation of International Law and Democratic Principles
According to Küçük, the imposed model directly violates the Lausanne Peace Treaty, international law, European Court of Human Rights rulings, and fundamental democratic principles. He stressed that the mufti institution is a cornerstone of the religious and social existence of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority and cannot be subjected to arbitrary state control.
“The refusal to recognize muftis elected by the free will of the minority is an open attack on collective rights,” he added.
Warning Over Expansion of the Model
Küçük also reacted strongly to statements suggesting that the same appointed-mufti model could be extended to Gümülcine and İskeçe, noting that such plans clearly demonstrate Greece’s lack of genuine intent to protect minority rights.
“This approach has completely eroded trust between the state and the Western Thrace Turkish Minority and has deliberately undermined social peace,” he said.
Reciprocity and Ecumenical Claims
In his statement, Küçük further pointed out that while the religious rights of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority are systematically violated in Greece, claims of ecumenical status by the Fener Greek Patriarchate in Türkiye have no legal basis under the Lausanne Treaty or the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye.
He emphasized that the Patriarchate is a minority religious institution operating within Türkiye’s borders and does not possess supranational or international authority.
Call to Greece
Concluding his statement, Hasan Küçük called on Greece to immediately put an end to these unlawful practices, to fully comply with its obligations under the Lausanne Treaty, and to respect the religious freedoms, institutions and free will of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the mufti appointment in Didymoteicho and the continued refusal to recognize the muftis elected by our community,” Küçük stated, adding that such practices are incompatible with democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
