The dissolved minority associations bearing the word “Turk” in their names were discussed at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)

Greece’s non-execution of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) decisions on associations founded by the Western Thrace Turkish Minority was discussed at PACE Side Event organised by ABTTF

The problems faced by associations of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, which were previously dissolved on the grounds of bearing the word “Turk” or “Minority” in their titles, were discussed at the side event organised yesterday, 25 April 2013, by Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

The event, hosted by Latvian Parliamentarian Boriss Cilevičs at the PACE 2013 Spring Session, brought together more than 50 participants from different political groups, Council of Europe (CoE) Member States and civil society members, which stressed Greece’s pertinacious attitude in non-executing with the ECtHR decisions favouring the re-establishment of the three associations founded by Western Thrace Turkish Minority members; Xanthi Turkish Union, Cultural Association of Turkish Women of Rodopi and Evros Minority Youth Association.

PACE member Boriss Cilevičs: “Non-execution of ECtHR decisions by the CoE Member States is a fundamental problem!”

Moderated by Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) President Hans-Heinrich Hansen, the event was joined also by representatives of the Turkish Press. In his opening speech as the hosting parliamentarian, Boriss Cilevičs stated non-execution of ECtHR decisions by the CoE Member States constitutes a fundamental problem. Cilevičs backed his statement by releasing Greece as CoE Member State with poor records of compliance.

ABTTF President Habipoğlu: “We hope to see this event being received by Greece instrumental for the execution of ECtHR decisions”

ABTTF President Halit Habipoğlu reiterated gratitude to hosting parliamentarian Mr. Cilevičs for his inexhaustible and gracious support to the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. Habipoğlu pointed out the memorable aspect of the event by referring to the presence of chairpersons of the two associations, Xanthi Turkish Union and Cultural Association of Turkish Women of Rodopi, of which the ECtHR decided in favour. Habipoğlu furthermore expressed the general expectations to see this event catalysing Greece’s approach to implement the respective ECtHR decisions. Being optimistic in this sense, especially after the previous experiences is difficult, said Habipoğlu.

Following the opening speeches, FUEN President Hans-Heinrich Hansen shared his observations from the fact-finding mission to Western Thrace in October 2012. Hansen transmitted the first-hand information; he was reported during the interviews on freedom of association with minority members.

Cultural Association of Turkish Women of Rodopi Chairwoman Emin: “In 1986, the associations bearing the word “Turk” in their names, were dissolved; from 1986 on no association bearing the word “Turk” in its title has been registered”

Cultural Association of Turkish Women of Rodopi Chairwoman Hülya Emin, in her speech, stressed the fact that Greece denies minority’s ethnic identity, which brought out the closure of associations founded by the minority. The foundation of the Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic in 1983 exacerbated this tendency, which set a barrier to each association to be established by the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. Cultural Association of Turkish Women of Rodopi, as the very concrete case of this issue, has not been authorised for re-establishment despite the ECtHR decision favouring the association. Emin, following the introduction of the case, has informed the participants on the judicial procedure of the complaint lodged at the ECtHR.

Xanthi Turkish Union President Ahmet Kurt: “With reasoning on non-binding nature of international court decisions, Xanthi Turkish Union was not authorised to official re-establishment”

Xanthi Turkish Union President Ahmet Kurt, who is a lawyer in profession, provided an historical overview about the association and added association was founded initially in 1927 as “Home of Turkish Youth of Xanthi”, adopted the name “Xanthi Turkish Union” in 1936 and was dissolved in 1986 on the grounds of having the word “Turk” in its name. Following a national judicial procedure for 20 years, which finalised in 2005 in contradictions, the same year the Xanthi Turkish Union lodged a complaint at the ECtHR, which decided for Greece’s conviction in 2008, said Kurt. Upon the ECtHR decision, Xanthi Turkish Union applied to national court for retrieving its official status, yet the request was refused by the respective court of appeal, which was approved by the court of cassation, informed Kurt the participants. Kurt furthermore indicated that upon the approval of court of cassation, Xanthi Turkish Union has for the second time lodged a complaint at the ECtHR in September 2012.

After the speakers’ sessions, the parliamentarians, who participated at the event acknowledged that Greece violates the freedom of association of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority and called on Greece to urgently implement the three ECtHR decisions that concerns freedom of association of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.