PACE to vote on Greece’s Council of Europe membership obligations report

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is set to vote on a periodic report assessing Greece’s compliance with its membership obligations, with the document raising concerns over freedom of association in Western Thrace and the implementation of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgments.

The report, prepared by PACE co-rapporteurs Laura Castel of Spain and Miapetra Kumpula-Natri of Finland, is scheduled for debate and a vote on September 29 during the Assembly’s autumn 2026 session.

WESTERN THRACE ASSOCIATIONS HIGHLIGHTED

The report directly refers to Western Thrace Turks in its section on minority rights and freedom of association.

It notes that Greece has not ratified either the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages or the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The report states that Greece currently argues against ratifying the two instruments in part because of its position regarding people who identify themselves as Macedonians and Western Thrace Turks.

According to the report, associations whose names include references to these identities can face refusal of administrative registration or dissolution. It also notes that Greek authorities classify Western Thrace Turks as part of the “Muslim minority in Greece,” alongside Muslim Roma and Pomaks, in accordance with their interpretation of the Treaty of Lausanne.

ECtHR JUDGMENTS AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

The report also examines Greece’s implementation of judgments by the European Court of Human Rights.

PACE says Greece has taken measures to implement ECtHR judgments and align its legal framework with the Court’s case law, while noting that a significant number of issues remain under the supervision of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.

In relation to freedom of association, the report lists cases involving the refusal to register or dissolution of associations connected to the Muslim minority in Thrace. It notes that some of these cases remain among the issues under supervision concerning the execution of ECtHR judgments.

The background to these cases includes the Bekir-Ousta group of cases and the case concerning the Tourkiki Enosi Xanthis, in which the ECtHR found violations of freedom of association under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Previous Council of Europe documents have also recorded concerns over the lack of effective implementation of these judgments.

PACE CALLS FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION

In the draft resolution accompanying the report, PACE says Greece should ensure the full and effective implementation of ECtHR judgments, including those concerning freedom of association.

The Assembly also calls on Greece to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

The report covers a broader range of issues, including the judiciary, corruption, media freedom, migration, detention conditions and the protection of civil society.

The PACE Monitoring Committee concluded in September that Greece’s democratic institutions remain established but said sustained efforts and constructive political dialogue are needed to strengthen the rule of law.

The European Federation of Western Thrace Turks (ABTTF) participated in the preparation process by meeting with the rapporteurs and presenting its views and recommendations concerning the rights and problems of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.