PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights adopted the draft resolution with regard to the report of Michel Hunault

The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted the draft resolution with regard to the report prepared by Michel Hunault on “Freedom of religion and other human rights for non-Muslim minorities in Turkey and for the Muslim minority in Thrace (Eastern Greece)” on 24 March 2009.

Problems of Turkish Minority in Greece are to be solved

The highlights from the draft resolution adopted by the PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights can be summarized as follows;

• It is underlined that existence of “national”, “religious” or “linguistic” minority groups in a country should be considered as a major factor, not of division, but of enrichment for society.
• Greek authorities should provide appropriate support to minority schools so that they are in a position to provide high-quality teaching, adding that opening new high schools for minority should be considered as well.
• Greek authorities should guarantee that the Special Teacher Training Academy of Thessaloniki (EPATH) provide high-quality education, both in Turkish and Greek languages.
• Regarding the educational situation, last recommendation is calling for providing lasting support including funding help to guarantee permanent financial support for “Education of Muslim children”programme.
• With regard to the issue of Vakfs, Greek authorities are urged to fully implement Law No. 3647 of February 2008, connected with the legal status of those foundations.
• As for Muftis problem, the Muslim minority should choose freely its muftis as mere religious leaders (i.e. without judicial powers), through election or appointment.
• Greek authorities should resolve as soon as possible the cases of the persons still affected by the withdrawal of their Greek nationality in pursuance of the former Article 19 of the Nationality Code, including the persons who became stateless in application of the said article although they no longer live in Greece;
• Regarding freedom of association and religion, Greek authorities should fully implement the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) relating to the titles of associations, and to allow associations to use the adjective “Turkish” in their name if they so wish.

Halit Habipoglu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) stated “During our official visit to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 26 to 30 Januray 2009, we could obtain detailed information onthe draft report prepared by Michel Hunault. As the draft report was formed in a way that is supportive of Greek’s thesis regarding minority issues, we submitted our detailed work prepared by Melek Kirmaci, member of ABTTF International Affairs and Lobby Group, to the related authorities. We see in the draft resolution that Mr. Hunault considered the views of the Minority. We will submit our evaluations next week to the related parties when we see the final version of the report.” stated Halit Habipoglu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).