Türkiye condemns Greece’s mufti appointments in Western Thrace: Minority rights at risk
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry has issued a strong condemnation of Greece’s recent actions in Western Thrace, where Greek authorities have appointed muftis without consulting the local Turkish minority. Ankara warns that these measures violate international law and the Lausanne Treaty, which guarantees the rights of minority communities in Greece.
According to the official statement, the Greek government’s top-down mufti appointments undermine the authority of locally elected religious leaders and threaten the cultural and religious identity of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. The process, previously implemented in Dimetoka, is now reportedly being extended to Rodopi and İskeçe, escalating tensions.
Türkiye calls on Greece to reverse these policies, stating that respecting the minority’s right to select its own religious leaders is non-negotiable. Ankara also emphasizes that ignoring these rights not only harms the minority but could negatively affect bilateral relations between Türkiye and Greece.
“We urge Greek authorities to step back from the wrong path regarding the Western Thrace Turkish Minority,” the statement reads.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation closely and ensuring that minority rights under international agreements are upheld.
