PACE adopts resolution on Greece’s Council of Europe obligations
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a resolution on Greece’s compliance with its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe, addressing concerns over freedom of association for the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and the implementation of judgments by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
The resolution was adopted during PACE’s autumn plenary session on September 30, based on a periodic monitoring report prepared by co-rapporteurs Laura Castel of Spain and Miapetra Kumpula-Natri of Finland. The review examined Greece’s progress in meeting Council of Europe standards on democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
WESTERN THRACE TURKISH MINORITY REFERENCED
The resolution specifically addresses freedom of association in relation to the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.
Paragraph 40 of the report states that associations in Greece whose names contain the word “Turkish” have faced refusals of registration or, in the case of existing associations, dissolution.
The document also addresses Greece’s failure to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, while referring to the need to protect freedom of association and implement relevant ECHR judgments.
The issue of the execution of ECHR judgments concerning associations in Western Thrace has remained on the Council of Europe’s agenda for years. The PACE debate also included references to the Bekir-Ousta group of cases, concerning restrictions on the registration and operation of associations established by members of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.
TURKISH MPs RAISE MINORITY RIGHTS
During the debate, Turkish members of PACE also raised concerns about minority rights in Greece.
AK Party Istanbul MP Sena Nur Çelik Kanat said issues concerning the closure of minority schools, the absence of bilingual kindergartens and the non-recognition of elected muftis should be addressed through genuine consultation with minority communities.
Çelik Kanat also called for PACE to insist on a clear timetable for Greece to fulfill its obligations arising from its membership of the Council of Europe.
CHP Deputy Chair and İzmir MP Gökçe Gökçen expressed concern over restrictions on the freedom of association of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace. She said the invocation of Article 45 of the Treaty of Lausanne to justify restrictions on associations using the word “Turkish” required clarification.
İYİ Party Edirne MP Mehmet Akalın likewise emphasized the right of individuals and communities to express their ethnic identity and referred to relevant ECHR judgments concerning Greece.
BEKİR-OUSTA CASES REMAIN UNDER SUPERVISION
The debate highlighted the long-running implementation issues surrounding the Bekir-Ousta group of cases.
The cases include the closure of the Xanthi Turkish Union and the refusal to register other associations established by members of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace. The ECHR found violations of Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects freedom of assembly and association.
During the PACE debate, speakers noted that the implementation of the relevant judgments remains under the supervision of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. PACE members also referred to a 2025 ECHR judgment concerning the refusal to register the Cultural Association of Turkish Women of Xanthi.
The resolution forms part of PACE’s periodic review of Greece, which began in 2023 and included a fact-finding visit by the co-rapporteurs in April 2026. The review covered a broad range of issues, including the rule of law, judicial effectiveness, corruption, media freedom, migration, minority rights and the implementation of ECHR judgments.
