ABTTF President: "Unfortunately, in our country, which prides itself on being the cradle of democracy in the 72nd year of the declaration, the Turkish community in Western Thrace is still being deprived of its fundamental human rights."
Today is Human Rights Day! The United Nations (UN) General Assembly had declared the 10th December as Human Rights Day in 1950, two years after having adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948 after the severe conditions brought at the end of the Second World War. Worldwide, 10th December is celebrated with various events as Human Rights Day.
In connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the entire world, the UN has declared the theme ‘Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights’ for the Human Rights Day in the year 2020. On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the UN called for creating equal opportunities for all in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing systematic and intergenerational inequalities, and implementing human rights standards against social exclusion and discrimination.
As the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), we celebrate the 10th December Human Rights at the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu made the following statement in this important day: "Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, while Article 2 indicates that everyone is entitled to all rights and freedoms without distinction such as race, language, religion or any other kind. Article 19 of the Declaration clearly states that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Unfortunately, in our country, which prides itself on being the cradle of democracy in the 72nd year of the declaration, the Turkish community in Western Thrace is still being deprived of its fundamental human rights. The State, the government and politicians claim that there are no Turks in the region, ignoring our freedom of expression, and our freedom of association is violated by the dissolution of our associations bearing the word ‘Turk’ in their names. Our community is discriminated against in all aspects of life as victims of systematic and institutional discrimination. When we fight for our fundamental rights and freedoms, for our special status and rights that we have been granted under the Treaty of Lausanne, we are accused by some politicians of ‘Turkish nationalism’ with the allusion that we are extremists. We celebrate this day under these circumstances, we demand the restitution of our rights and freedoms arising from special treaties as well as equal treatment with equal opportunities as citizens.”
*Image: www.un.org
