Western Thrace Turkish population faces discrimination by Greece
In an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Asafoğlu explained that the Turkish population in Western Thrace has been subjected to ethnic oppression and discriminatory policies by the Greek government. She emphasized that despite the Turkish community's efforts to be good citizens, Greece has continued to marginalize them and view them as a "security issue."
Asafoğlu noted that the Turkish population in Western Thrace has more than halved since the 1920s, with the proportion of the Turkish minority in the region dropping from 65% to 30%. Similarly, land ownership among the Turkish minority, which was around 84% in 1923, has decreased to 23%. She attributed this significant decline to Greece's discriminatory and assimilationist practices.
She further explained that the Turkish community has been removed from the management of their own foundations since 1967, and the use of the term "Turkish" has been criminalized since the 1970s. In the 1980s, minority civil society organizations with "Turkish" in their names were declared illegal, and a discriminatory law regarding Western Thrace foundations was enacted. Additionally, in the 1990s, a law that allowed for the election of muftis was annulled, and a presidential decree introduced the practice of appointing muftis instead.
School Closures
Asafoğlu emphasized that one of the most pressing issues facing the Turkish minority is the closure of their schools. Despite Greece's obligations under international and bilateral agreements, the country has obstructed the Turkish community's ability to exercise their rights. She noted that the number of teachers assigned to minority schools in Western Thrace has been reduced from 35 to 16, and the number of minority schools has dropped from 231 to 86 over the past 28 years, with four more schools being closed before the 2024-2025 academic year.
She pointed out that Greece justifies the closure of Turkish schools by citing low student numbers, but these schools are not reopened even when the student population increases. Asafoğlu argued that Greece's policies are aimed at assimilation, pushing Turkish children into state schools with the ultimate goal of erasing the Turkish minority's presence in the region.
Response of the Turkish Population
The Turkish population in Western Thrace is deeply concerned and angry about these developments. Asafoğlu stressed that the Greek government's actions are unacceptable and that the autonomy and special status of minority schools must be respected. She called for an immediate end to these discriminatory policies and for the restoration of the rights guaranteed under the Treaty of Lausanne and other bilateral agreements.
Continuing the Struggle for Rights
Asafoğlu concluded by stating that the FEP Party is working hard to protect the rights of the Turkish population in Western Thrace on the political stage. The party is a member of the European Free Alliance (EFA), and Asafoğlu expressed their intention to raise awareness of the issues faced by the Turkish minority in Europe.
She also acknowledged the efforts of Turkey in advocating for the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, emphasizing that both the Turkish and Greek minorities should have equal rights as outlined in the Treaty of Lausanne and other agreements. Asafoğlu criticized Greece for deliberately leaving issues unresolved, describing it as a form of oppression.
