The European Parliament’s President Schulz responds to ABTTF

The European Parliament’s President Martin Schulz responded to the letter sent by the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) with regard to the closure of two branch offices of the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association (WTMUGA) in Komotini by the Greek authorities. In his response, Mr Schulz firstly expressed his gratitude to receive the letter dated 3 June 2016 concerning the situation of Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and the recent events in Komotini. He further stated that he had submitted the letter to Mr József Nagy who is the Member of the European Parliament and Rapporteur for the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2015 in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) for information and any follow-up that may be deemed appropriate.

In its letter addressed to the EP President Martin Schulz on 3 June 2016, ABTTF had emphasized that the two branch offices of WTMUGA were closed down by the decision of the Mayor of Komotini for their activities for the minority children on the ground that the branch offices were unlicensed nurseries. ABTTF underlined that the decision was a part of a strategy of deterrence and fear by Greek authorities against the minority NGO of WTMUGA and a clear restriction to the use of the mother tongue by minority children through social and cultural activities.

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