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Question for written answer to the European Commission regarding hate speech targeting the Turkish community in Western Thrace

28.04.2023

Member of the European Parliament (MEP) François Alfonsi (France, Greens/EFA) submitted a question for written answer to the European Commission as regards hate speech and systematic discrimination targeting the Turkish community in Western Thrace in Greece.

In the question for written answer which was directed by MEP Alfonsi to the European Commission - whom the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has met many times within the framework of its lobbying activities carried out before the EP – he indicated that the EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs had visited Greece on 6-8 March 2023 and at that occasion, it was noted that there were very serious threats to the rule of law and fundamental rights in the country. 

Moreover, in its written question for answer, Alfonsi stated that the Turkish community in Western Thrace, which is an autochthonous minority community, is exposed to hate speech in politics and in the media in Greece, and in this regard, he explained that MP from SYRIZA in Xanthi Hüseyin Zeybek was threatened with death during a live broadcast on a local television channel by a viewer who accused him of being a ‘‘spy of the Turks’’. 

Alfonsi asked the European Commission what steps it intends to take to strengthen the rule of law and protect fundamental rights of persons with different backgrounds against hate speech and hate-motivated attacks in Greece. Furthermore, Alfonsi asked what steps the European Commission will take to ensure that EU citizens belonging to the Turkish community in Western Thrace are protected from discrimination and hatred in their own country Greece.

*Image: www.anadoluimages.com   


 

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