ABTTF President: “It is evident that the values of liberal democracy in our country do not apply to the Turkish community in Western Thrace through the rights violations and discrimination which has increased and that we have faced since that time and the years after.”
Our country Greece celebrated the 47th anniversary of the restoration of democracy which took place in 1974 following the seven-year military junta regime of 1967-1974. On the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the restoration of democracy, a reception was held in Athens on 24 July 2021, hosted by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. In her speech, President Sakellaropoulou touched upon the importance of liberal democracy, noting that the restoration of democracy in July 1974 was the basis for healing the wounds of the past.
“Democracy was restored in our country in 1974 following the collapse of the Greek military junta, but it fell off the bridge and drowned as it passed through the Nestos River (Karasu River). Indeed, it is evident that the values of liberal democracy in our country do not apply to the Turkish community in Western Thrace through the rights violations and discrimination which has increased and that we have faced since that time and the years after. When it comes to us, democracy is shelved in our country. Yes, the military junta does not exist today, but our country’s systematic discriminatory practices against us persist. Our country, which denies our right to define ourselves, denies our Turkish identity and bans our associations which include the word ‘Turkish’. Our educational and religious autonomy, guaranteed by the bilateral and international treaties, has been seized by practices implemented without consulting us. As the Turkish community in Western Thrace, we will continue our struggle to find long lasting solutions to the issues we are facing within the framework of democracy and law and to have a real functioning liberal democracy in our country”, said Halit Habip Oğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).
