Surprising statement from the Deputy-Minister of Public Order!

ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu: “If SYRIZA is sincere in its desire to create a real change on minority rights as well, it should first of all dismiss the policy of ignoring Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.”

Greek Deputy-Minister of Public Order, Mr. Yannis Panusis stated that migrants and also people from different ethnic groups will be admitted to police academies. The fact that he didn’t mention the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace in his speech was criticised.

Yannis Panusis declared that he supported the idea that some migrants and also people from differ-ent ethnic groups should be admitted to police academies. According to Millet newspaper, Panusis said: “We need multicultural police forces in a multicultural society. These communities who for-merly used to be excluded should now be included in police forces. We need to fully understand what is happening if we have to assure the security in a region that has a special demography.”

Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF)’s President Halit Habip Oğlu commented on the issue: “The statements of Deputy-Minister of Public Order Mr. Panusis are highly unfortu-nate. It is quite disappointing for us, especially during these first days of SYRIZA government who was promising a change in state structure and governance, that Panusis didn’t mention our minority while explaining on fundamental changes in the police. If SYRIZA is sincere in its desire to create a real change on minority rights as well, it should first of all dismiss the policy of ignoring Turkish Minority of Western Thrace by creating a formal communication mechanism. It should also listen to our demands on promoting and guaranteeing minority rights and the participation of minority members in all parts of life.”