European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) convicted Greece for the suit that was filed by Evros Minority Youth Association. ECHR decided that Greece had violated ‘‘Article 11’’ which regulates freedom of organization and association. Hasan Bekir Usta had applied to ECHR in 1996 right after the Greek court closed Evros Minority Youth Association due to association’s establishment objective. Meanwhile, Evros Administrative Court did not permit the establishment of the association by reason that Treaty of Lausanne described Western Thrace Turkish minority as Muslim Minority rather than Turkish Minority.
ECHR concluded the file on 11 October 2007, stating that the association was closed even before its activities were observed, as a sign of prejudiced opinions of Greek authorities against Turkish associations. In its reasoned statement, ECHR clearly stated that “Associations’ conditions of establishment do not imply any kind of violence and threat against democratic society.”
The concerning judgement is available under the following link.
The significance of the decision lies in the fact that this decision will be a good example for other Western Thrace Turkish minority association cases (Iskece (Xanthi) Turkish Solidarity Union, Western Thrace Teachers Association, Rodop Women’ Association) which hang on ECHR.
With that decision of ECHR, it is the first time that Greece is convicted in a suit that was filed by a Western Thrace Turkish Minority.
Following the decision of ECHR, Greek courts’ decisions that ban the Turkish Association due to their Turkish names might fall void. Additionally, experts claim that Greek authorities may have to recognize “Turkish Minority” definition from now on.
Another noteworthy feature of this event is that it was an unanimous decision, signalling the support of ECHR for the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. Meanwhile, it is clear that Greek and Greek Cypriot judges voted in favour of Western Thrace.
Justice at last…
“…Justice at last…Even Greek and Greek Cypriot judges at ECHR voted in favour of Western Thrace Turks, and ECHR decision constitutes an example for the other cases of Western Thrace Associations. ECHR accepted that Greek courts violate ‘‘Article 11’’ which regulates freedom of organization and association of minorities. That decision must pave the way for the recognition of Turkish identity by Greek authorities.” stated Halit Habipoglu, chairman of Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).
Habipoglu underlined that ABTTF exerted great effort at every international platform to protect the rights of Turkish minority in Western Thrace, adding that endless efforts of ABTTF began to give fruits at last. Meanwhile, experts underline that this decision will force Greece to give back the rights of Western Thrace Turkish minority also recognizing the Turkish identity in Western Thrace.
