ABTTF and Rhodes, Kos and Dodecanese Turks Culture and Solidarity Association are for the first time co-organising a side event

The problems of the Western Thrace Turks and Rhodes, Kos and Dodecanese Turks will be discussed at the UN Forum on Minority Issues

Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) and Rhodes, Kos and Dodecanese Culture and Solidarity Association will be co-organising side event “Freedom of Religion and Challenges faced by religious/ethnic Minorities in Greece” during the 6th Session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues in Geneve.

ABTTF and Rhodes, Kos and Dodecanese Culture and Solidarity Association are for the first time merging their sources for a common event at the UN Forum on Minority Issues, which is a unique platform in support of dialogue cooperation for settlement of problems of national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.

The side event will run in parallel with the 6th Session on “Beyond Freedom of Religion or Belief: Guaranteeing the Rights of Religious Minorities” and will elaborate on problems Western Thrace Turkish Minority and Turks living in Rhodes and Kos Islands face in terms of religious freedom in Greece.

The international experts will speak on problems the religious minorities in Greece encounter and present their recommendations to Greece on protection of the identity of religious minorities.

Speakers:

Rıdvan Hacıbedel, Vice-President, Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe

Panayote Dimitras, Spokesperson, Greek Helsinki Monitor

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kaymakçı, President, Rhodes, Kos and Dodecanese Culture and Solidarity Association

Willy Fautre, Director, Human Rights Without Frontiers Int’l

Dr. Sebahattin Abdurrahman, Post-doc Researcher, SOAS, University of London, ABTTF Board Member

Moderator: Melek Kırmacı Arık, International Affairs Director, Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe

Date and Time: 27 November 2013, 13:15-15:00
Venue: Palais des Nations, Meeting Room XXVII
Geneve / Switzerland