ABTTF President: “How can the public have confidence in the government after the recent succession of legal scandals in our country? The government is using strategic lawsuits as a tool of intimidation for political purposes and is directly attacking the fundamental values of the EU. For years, prominent members of our community or associations have also been subjected to constant pressure and intimidation through strategic lawsuits against them.”
According to the results of the Eurobarometer 2024 public opinion survey on Justice, rights and values, conducted by the European Commission in the 27 EU Member States, 68% of people in Greece, i.e. almost 7 out of 10, do not believe that the fundamental values of the EU, such as fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law, are well protected in the country.
In the EU as a whole, where Greece ranks last, 66 per cent believe in EU values, with the highest share in Finland at 92 per cent.
In Greece, only 16 per cent of the population are aware of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and what it provides for citizens, whereas this rate is 25 per cent across the EU.
‘‘The Eurobarometer public opinion survey has once again revealed the systematic violation of the rule of law in our country in recent years. The vast majority of citizens in our country believe that their fundamental rights and freedoms are under threat and do not trust the government in any way. How can they trust the government after the recent legal scandals in our country The government is using strategic lawsuits as a tool of intimidation for political purposes and is directly attacking the fundamental values of the EU. The prominent members of our community or associations have been subjected to constant pressure and intimidation for years through strategic lawsuits against them. The continuous investigation and prosecution of Mufti of Komotini İbrahim Şerif on the allegation of ‘‘usurpation of office’’ or the dissolution of the Western Thrace Fenerbahçe Culture and Sports Association due to the phrase ‘‘Western Thrace’’ in its name despite being officially registered by the court are just two examples of this situation. The government, being aware that democracy and the protection of the rule of law are indispensable for the EU, should urgently take the necessary steps in this regard and stop ignoring the warnings from the EU’’, said Halit Habip Oğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).
Please click below to access the results of the survey:
https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3225
*Image: www.anadoluimages.com
