Problems of Western Thrace Turks voiced in the international seminar
The seminar themed "Human Rights Violations Encountered by Muslims" is held in Istanbul. A comprehensive delegation from Western Thrace attended the seminar.
Within the scope of the Turkey visit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (BDIHK) delegation, T.R. An international seminar themed “Human Rights Violations Encountered by Muslims” is held in Istanbul on 16-17 February 2022 in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the BDIHK Secretariat.
In the speeches made at the seminar, the injustices suffered by the Turks of Western Thrace were expressed and it was emphasized that the Members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation should react strongly to these injustices.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who participated in the seminar on "Human Rights Violations Encountered by Muslims and Minorities" via video message, said that populist discourse fuels violence against Muslims all over the world and especially in Europe.
Noting that legal steps have been taken towards this in some European countries, Çavuşoğlu said, "These steps and the political language used almost legitimize Islamophobia. Western thought is an understanding that sees the progress of society in competition and conflict. Colonialism causes conflict between races, Marxism conflicts between classes, extreme nationalism creates conflict between nations. , Huntington's thesis, on the other hand, highlights the conflict between civilizations. Our civilization, on the other hand, underlines harmony, respect and solidarity."
Noting that building mosques or keeping existing mosques open in many European cities has become a serious issue, Çavuşoğlu continued: "The Christchurch attack in New Zealand on March 15, 2019 showed that Muslims are not safe anywhere in the world. "It is an important step that Turkey is designated as the International Day for the Elimination of Islamophobia. We must continue to work together to have a similar resolution adopted at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. As Turkey, we have pioneered many international mechanisms aimed at making the voice of Muslims heard."
Noting that they closely follow the cases of Islamophobia in the world and that they will publish them in annual reports, "We have a lot of work to do together to defend the rights and law of Muslims all over the world. All Muslim countries have a responsibility to support our brothers. Especially the isolation of Turkish Cypriots and "We need to look for solutions together to problems such as the deprivation of basic human rights of the Turkish minority in Greece. Of course, it is of great importance to protect the rights of Uyghur Turks, Rohingya Muslims and all our Muslim brothers and sisters who have difficulties in all parts of the world." Çavuşoğlu said.
A large delegation from Western Thrace participated in the seminar themed "Human Rights Violations Encountered by Muslims".
İbrahim Şerif, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority and Mufti of Komotini, took the floor in the second session of the seminar and made a speech. In his speech, İbrahim Şerif expressed the injustices suffered by the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority and stated that they will continue to fight within the framework of democracy and law to end these unfair practices as soon as possible.
A comprehensive delegation representing Western Thrace Turks attended the seminar in Istanbul. Chairman of the Advisory Board of Western Thrace Turkish Minority and Mufti of Komotini İbrahim Şerif, Mayor of Kozlukebir Rıdvan Ahmet, Mayor of Mustafçova Rıdvan Delihüseyin, Chairman of FEP Party Çiğdem Asafoğlu, President of Xanthi Turkish Union Ozan Ahmetoğlu, President of Western Thrace Minority Graduates Association Hüseyin Baltacı, ABT President Halit Habipoğlu, BAKEŞ Director Pervin Hayrullah, former Mayor of Mustafçova and journalist-activist Cemil Kabza, BAKEŞ Human Rights and Balkans Specialist Kerem Abdurrahimoğlu, ABTTF International Relations Director Melek Kırmacı Arık and Trakya University Assoc. Ali Hüseyinoğlu participated. Anna Stamou, Representative of the Greek Muslim League, also attended the seminar from Athens.
