Minority Associations with ‚minority’ word are being prohibited in Western Thrace

In Western Greece, as the prohibitons to establish foundations continue, new prohibitions come to scene. Recently, Iskece (Xanthi) Administrative Court did not permit the establishment of “Minority Civil Society Solidarity Association” as the name carries ‘minority’.

The application of “Minority Civil Society Solidarity Association” which was established by the Turkish Minority in İskeçe (Xanthi) was rejected by the Administrative Court by the decision numbered 293/2007 on the legal ground that it is not clear whether the ‘minority’ word in the name of the association defines religious minority or ethnic Turkish minority and thus that ambiguity constitutes risk for the public order. Furthermore, in the statement, it was underlined that the state had the right to protect its own security and thus the foundations that constitute risk for the security of the nation can be prohibited in that sense. The Court also stated that the minority group in Western Thrace was defined ‘Muslim Minority’ both in Turkey and Greece under the framework of Lausanne Treaty. However, the fact that Western Thrace Minority was clearly defined as ‘minority’ in the Lausanne Treaty and has the right to establish foundations under ‘minority’ definions was absolutely ignored.

As might be recalled, Greek authorities prohibited the establishment of Meric Minority Youth Association on the back of same reasoning, yet permitting the establishment of Iskece (Xanthi) Pomak Culture Association. That harmed the credibility of the authorities seriously.

Iskece (Xanthi) Administrative Court made a conflicting action by permitting the Pomak Culture Association.


That unfairness should be brought up to European Agenda

That last event which is the most recent example of the anti-democratic implementations was seriously criticized. Halit Habipoğlu, chairman of Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europea, made a press release. Habipoğlu stated that Greece fell short of democracy day by day, prohibiting Associations with Turkish word in it and now minority names are also banned. Habipoğlu underlined that those implementations were completely aganist democracy and freedom of association. Habipoğlu said that that unfair decision of the Court should be brought up to European agenda. He also added that every legal way should be abused to establish the association in Greece.