Western Thrace Turkish Minority marks January 29 with calls for rights, identity, and solidarity

Institutions representing the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace issued a series of statements on the occasion of January 29 – National Resistance and Social Solidarity Day, underscoring the historical, social, and political significance of the date for the minority community.

Statements were released by the İskeçe Mufti Office, the Association of University Graduates of the Western Thrace Minority, the İskeçe Turkish Union, the Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union, and the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers’ Union. In addition, several institutions shared short video messages commemorating the day.

January 29 marks the anniversary of the mass demonstrations of 1988, when tens of thousands of Western Thrace Turks took to the streets in peaceful protest against the denial of their ethnic identity and the restriction of minority rights. The day has since become a symbol of resistance, collective memory, and social solidarity for the community.

Emphasis on Identity and Equal Citizenship

In its statement, the İskeçe Mufti Office described January 29 as a symbol of the determination shown by the Turkish Minority to protect its identity, rights, and dignity. The statement highlighted the importance of unity and social cohesion, stressing the responsibility to carry this collective memory into the future.

The Association of University Graduates of the Western Thrace Minority marked the 38th anniversary of the 1988 events, recalling that the minority’s rights are guaranteed under the 1923 Lausanne Peace Treaty. Despite fulfilling all civic duties as Greek citizens, the association noted ongoing challenges in areas such as education, religious freedom, political representation, and the recognition of ethnic identity.

The association emphasized that persistent inequalities continue to justify the demands first voiced on January 29, calling for the peaceful continuation of the struggle for equal treatment and full citizenship rights.

Reference to the 1990 Pogrom

The İskeçe Turkish Union highlighted January 29, 1988, as the culmination of a long-standing and legitimate struggle for rights that began in the early 20th century. The statement also recalled the events of January 29, 1990, when violent attacks targeted Turkish-owned homes and businesses in Gümülcine and other parts of Western Thrace.

According to the union, these attacks represented an attempt to intimidate and marginalize the minority population. While some legal improvements followed, the statement stressed that past injustices have not been remedied and that their socio-economic consequences are still felt today, particularly through migration and regional underdevelopment.

Education and Minority Rights

The Western Thrace Turkish Teachers’ Union described January 29 as a day when the Turkish Minority firmly rejected discrimination and repression. The union condemned the vandalism of 1990 and criticized the European Union for remaining largely silent in the face of ongoing minority rights violations.

The statement called for concrete steps, including the reopening of minority schools, the establishment of bilingual Turkish-Greek kindergartens, the restoration of elected school boards, and the protection of educational autonomy.

“More Than a Date on the Calendar”

The Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union characterized January 29 as “more than a date on the calendar,” calling it a symbol of dignity, identity, and the will to exist as a community. The union stressed that the word “Turkish” is an inseparable part of the minority’s identity and should never be subject to restriction or negotiation.

The statement reaffirmed the minority’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and democratic values, while expressing expectations that Greece will respect freedom of expression, religion, education, and thought in line with international human rights standards.

Call for Dialogue and International Standards

Across all statements, Western Thrace Turkish Minority institutions reiterated their commitment to peaceful, democratic methods in pursuing their rights. They collectively called on Greek authorities to align minority policies with international law, European Union principles, and human rights conventions, emphasizing that genuine social harmony can only be achieved through equality, dialogue, and mutual respect.