Western Thrace Turks: "Greece's stance on Minority Rights remains unchanged for years"
Organizations representing the Turkish Muslim minority in Western Thrace released statements on December 10, Human Rights Day, criticizing Greece's continued violations of their fundamental rights.
Key Points from the DEB Party
The Friendship, Equality, Peace (DEB) Party highlighted Greece’s discriminatory policies in education, religious freedom, and ethnic identity, stating:
"Greece, despite being an EU member championing human rights, fails to meet its obligations towards the Turkish Muslim Minority and shows no effort for improvement."
They condemned Greece's failure to implement European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings favoring the minority, describing it as a significant shortfall in human rights adherence.
Educational and Identity Issues
The Western Thrace Turkish Teachers’ Association (BTTÖB) underscored the denial of ethnic identity and systemic restrictions in minority education.
They criticized Greece for violating the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and European norms by limiting the right to organize and denying ethnic recognition.
ABTTF's Call for Action
The European Western Thrace Turkish Federation (ABTTF) referenced the 2024 Human Rights Day theme, "Our Rights, Our Future, Now," emphasizing the daily significance of human rights.
They reiterated systematic infringements on the community’s rights, such as freedom of expression and ethnic denial.
These messages collectively urge Greece to align its policies with international human rights standards and address long-standing grievances of the Turkish Muslim Minority.
