Minister of Foreign Affairs: "Europe must protect human rights and the rule of law"
The Western Thrace Turkish Minority Federation in Europe (ABTTF) has called on Greece to respect the rule of law by implementing the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings concerning the associations of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, speaking at the meeting of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) held in Crete on May 26–27, 2025, emphasized that Europe must prioritize humanitarian values and the rule of law.
Gerapetritis noted that the Council of Europe has been a guardian of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law in all its member states. He warned that the rise of populism, the spread of misinformation, and the erosion of legislation protecting fundamental freedoms pose a serious threat to democratic resilience.
He further added that the Council’s steadfast commitment to human rights, grounded in the European Convention on Human Rights, is reflected in the vital work of the Committee.
In response, Halit Habipoğlu, President of ABTTF, stated:
"We fully agree with Foreign Minister Gerapetritis’ remarks that, in times of change and political instability across Europe, we must uphold human rights and the rule of law. However, we pose the following question to him: Isn’t our own country — a member of the Council of Europe — the very one that ignores its obligations stemming from the European Convention on Human Rights by failing to implement for 17 years the ECHR’s rulings concerning our community’s associations?
How can a country that disregards all warnings from the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and politicizes the case group 'Bekir Usta and Others' claim to be defending fundamental freedoms and the rule of law?
Our country must be honest with itself first and then with the other Council of Europe member states, and must immediately implement the court rulings related to our associations."
