The Cooperation of ABTTF and DEB Party goes on with strengthening pace

Representatives of the Hungarian Minority in Romania and Federal Union of European Na-tionalities (FUEN) Director visited Western Thrace

Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) and Friendship, Equality, Peace (DEB) Party have jointly hosted a delegation composed of Federal Union of European National (FUEN) Director and Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (RDMSZ), as a FUEN member minor-ity organisation, during their visit to Western Thrace on 7-8 June 2013.

Accompanied by ABTTF President Halit Habipoğlu and ABTTF International Relations Director Melek Kırmacı, FUEN Director Jan Diedrichsen, RDMSZ Vice-President and member of the Ro-manian Chamber of Deputies László Borbély, RMDSZ International Secretary Lorant Vincze and Borbély’s media advisor Hilda Fleischer obtained first-hand data and in-depth analysis regarding problems of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.

The delegation has met minority representatives in Komotini and Xanthi

Upon arrival at Komotini on Friday, 7 June 2013, the delegation has paid a visit to DEB Party Headquarters, where the minority’s problems in the field of political representation was communi-cated to the attention of high representatives within the delegation. Later on, the delegation met Komotini Elected Mufti Fehim Ahmet, whereby it was informed on minority’s problem in terms of religious freedom, i.e. the dichotomy between appointed and elected Mufti and 240 Imams Law. In follow up with this, a visit has been paid to Rodopi SYRIZA Deputy Ayhan Karayusuf, who uncov-ered problems the minority encounters, especially with regard to education. Given his tight agenda, Xanthi SYRIZA Deputy Hüseyin Zeybek could only meet in the evening of 6 June for a very short time with ABTTF and DEB Party, when the details of “one million signatures” campaign and its potential benefits to the Western Thrace Turkish Minority has been discussed.

Following the departure of representatives of the Hungarian minority of Romania on Saturday, 8 June, FUEN Director Jan Diedrichsen, assisted by ABTTF and DEB Party continued his visit in the region. The delegation has first met Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association (BTAYTD) President Mehmet Emin. Upon its visit to Western Thrace Turkish Teachers Union, the delegation exchanged views with the President of the association Ali Sami Toraman. The delegation has also paid a visit to Komotini Turkish Youth Union (GTGB) and had a meeting with GTGB President Hasan Koray, who transmitted the problems association has been facing throughout its history.

Delegation heard minority’s problems from first and genuine source

On Saturday, FUEN Director Jan Diedrichsen visited Xanthi Elected Mufti Ahmet Mete in his premises in Xanthi. Diedrichsen reiterated FUEN’s support to Western Thrace Turkish Minority for the settlement of problems in general and as for religious freedom. The visit to Xanthi elected Mufti was followed by Sminthi village where the delegation had a meeting with the Mustafa Çukal, Mayor of Myki Municipality. The kermis organised at Xanthi Minority School on the very same day has been another interesting destination throughout delegation’s visit in Xanthi.

Further to this, Xanthi Turkish Union (ITB) had been visited and the delegation was provided in-depth information by ITB Vice-President Ahmet Çıtak on the legal procedure the association has been going through after its dissolution on the ground of bearing the word “Turk” in its name and the minority members’ lodging complaint to European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) due to violation of freedom of association.