YTB president Turus criticizes closure of Turkish minority schools in Western Thrace
Yurtdışı Türkler ve Akraba Topluluklar (YTB) President Abdulhadi Turus has criticized Greece’s decision to close additional Turkish minority schools in Western Thrace, arguing that the move represents another step in policies that restrict the minority’s right to education, mother tongue and institutional presence.
In a written statement, Turus said the closure of eight more Turkish minority primary schools in Western Thrace was part of ongoing practices targeting the educational rights and cultural institutions of Western Thrace Turks.
Rejecting the Greek authorities’ justification based on declining student numbers, Turus pointed to the simultaneous difficulties faced by families seeking to register their children at the İskeçe 1st Turkish Minority Primary School.
"While schools are being closed on the grounds of insufficient student numbers, obstacles are being placed before children who want to enroll at the İskeçe 1st Turkish Minority Primary School. This clearly shows that the issue is not only about student numbers," Turus said.
Turus emphasized that minority rights guaranteed under the Lausanne Peace Treaty cannot be weakened through unilateral administrative decisions. He called on Greece to fulfill its international obligations and reconsider the school closure decisions.
Expressing support for the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, Turus said: "Western Thrace Turks are not alone. We will always stand with our kinsmen in their rightful efforts to protect their identity, language and educational rights.
