The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights published a report on human rights of the minorities in Greece

Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, published on February 9th a report on human rights of the minorities in Greece. It is underlined in the report that effective protection of minority rights is a fundamental pillar of pluralist societies and Greece still needs to make more and strenuous efforts to ensure that these rights are fully respected.

Greece must respect minority rights

With regard to the characteristics of the minorities in Greece, it is stated in the report that according to the Greek authorities, the minority population numbers around 100 000 persons and consists of three distinct groups, whose members are of Turkish, Pomak or Roma origin, each representing respectively 50%, 35% and 15% of this minority population.

In the report, despite Greek authorities’ statements about the right of each individual to identify him or herself, Greek authorities’ visible reluctance about the establishment of association with Turkish or Macedonian names is underlined as a serious concern. Furthermore, it is stated that some Greek courts reject to register some minority associations via some over-restrictive practices.

Regarding the former Article 19 of the Greek Nationality Code, the report urges Greek authorities to restore immediately the nationality of those minority members who were denationalized under the above mentioned provision.

It is stated in the report that appointment of Muftis and application of Sharia law causes serious disappointment and reaction, adding that Greece violates religious rights. Furthermore, it is remarked that the application of the Sharia Law in family and inheritance law matters by Muftis who are appointed by the Greek state is incompatible with with European and international human rights standards.

With regard to the report published by Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Halit Habipoglu, President of Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), stated that “The report considers the minorities that are classified as “other” in Greece as a part of European family. In 2009, three more reports on the minorities in Greece will be published by the Council of Europe. However, the Greek state continues with its unfair minority policy without taking the claims and demands of the minority into consideration”.