Statement of Consultative Committee of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace

Consultative Committee of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace

19 January 2005

Statement / press release

As it is reported in the national press, as well as international news bulletins, the General Assembly of the Court of Appeal of Greece, in its close session held on 13 January 2005, together with other petitions, has ruled on the appeal petition of the Turkish Union of Xanthi.

Although an official statement from the relevant authorities is yet to be made, it is understood from the informal “leaks” to the press that the General Assembly of the Court of Appeals of Greece has unanimously rejected the petition of the Turkish Union of Xanthi and hereby ratified the ruling of the lesser Court of Appeals of Thrace.

The ruling of the General Assembly of the Court of Appeals of Greece is expected to become official with its publication during the upcoming days. Should the forthcoming official ruling be not different from the one that has been leaked to the press, the judicial struggle of the Turkish Union of Xanthi which had began in 1983 will have come to an end within the Greek national justice system.

Although still unofficial, the ruling of the General Assembly of the Court of Appeals of Greece has created dismay and worry among the members of the Turkish Union of Xanthi, as well as the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace in general. These feelings and state of mind are shared by all who believe in and are favor of multiculturalism.

The Turkish Union of Xanthi during its 80 years history has never acted against the Greek State. On the contrary, it has always been in accordance with the law and, with its activities based on the its firm belief of peaceful co-existence in the region and aiming only to further the cultural and intellectual state of the minority as well as to strengthen the ties of friendship and collaboration between the Minority and Majority populations, has been successful in attracting respect and praise from not only members of the Turkish Minority, but also from those of the Hellenic Majority.

Just because it carries the adjective “Turkish” in its name, a pretext has been created stating that the Turkish Union of Xanthi is endangering Greek national security and public order. This, at least, degrades our country’s position in European Union, of which it has been a full member for more than 20 years.

It is simply not possible to comprehend the manner of conduct of our state, which claims to be respectful to human rights and democracy.


Shortly, regardless of being based on different allegations, the Turkish Union of Xanthi has shared the same fate with the Turkish Youth Union of Komotini and the Turkish Teachers Union of Western Thrace within the Greek national justice system.
Following the publication of the official ruling, the Turkish Union of Xanthi, representing the other two civil associations besides itself, shall apply to the European Court of Human Rights in search for justice which has been denied to it within Greece.

Once the ruling of the general Assembly of the Court of Appeals of Greece become official, the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, with its civil unions and associations and especially the Consultative Committee of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, by evaluating recent developments, will elaborate on the future actions to be taken.

Members of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace will continue to live peaceful co-existence with the Hellenic Majority. They, together with the members of the Turkish Union of Xanthi will assuredly continue the efforts in becoming “ a bridge of peace” between Greece and Turkey.


Consultative Committee of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace
Turkish Union of Xanthi
Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association
Friendship-Equality- Peace Party
Turkish Youth Union of Komotini
Turkish Teachers Union of Western Thrace
Medrese - Graduate Muslim Teachers Association
Minority Educational and Cultural Association of Hilia
Clergymen Association of Western Thrace Mosques
Council of Preaching and Guidance of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace
Educational and Cultural Association of Ifestos
Turkish Women’s Cultural Association of the Rodopi Prefecture
Association of Graduates of Special Pedagogical Academy of Thesaloniki in Evros-Rodop