“By legalizing the muftis of Western Thrace, Greece once again violated the rights and freedoms of the “Turkish minority of Western Thrace”, guaranteed by international treaties, especially the Lausanne Peace Treaty.

This law, drawn up without consultation with representatives of the “Turkish minority of Western Thrace”, once again ignores the muftis elected by the “Turkish minority of Western Thrace”, and therefore the will of the “Turkish minority of Western Thrace” and freedom of religion. In this context, we fully support the statement made yesterday by the Consultative Committee of the “Turkish Minority of Western Thrace”, which reflects the just reaction of our compatriots.

Article 40 of the Lausanne Peace Treaty grants the “Turkish minority of Western Thrace” the right to establish, manage and control their own religious, educational and charitable organizations. The violation of this right by Greece in relation to its treaty obligations has also been recorded by the decisions of the ECtHR in the past.

While Greece should provide the “Turkish minority of Western Thrace” with the necessary support and assistance to elect, manage and structure its muftis, it is unacceptable for it to try to put a mufti under its own control against its will. minority of Western Thrace

With this legal system, Greece continues to violate the religious rights and freedoms of our compatriots, guaranteed by international treaties, and is trying to turn the institution of the mufti into a structure controlled by the Greek state. Turkey does not prevent the functioning of religious institutions of non-Muslim minorities in its country and the election of their leaders by such repressive laws and methods.

We once again call on Greece to respect international law, to comply with its treaty obligations arising from the Lausanne Peace Treaty and other related agreements, and to end its policy of pressure and intimidation against the “Turkish minority of Western Thrace”.

As before, we will continue to closely monitor the observance of the rights and freedoms of our expatriates.”