Western Thrace Turks criticize Greece for its 'double standards' approach to human rights

By Ayhan Mehmet

KOMOTINI, Greece (AA) – The Federation of Western Thrace Turks (ABTTF) in Europe on Thursday condemned Greece for having "double standards" in its approach to human rights as it has a different stance on the issue in Albania and in relation to its Turkish minority.

The strong criticism from the umbrella organization of the members of the Turkish minority living in the Western Thrace in the country came in the wake of Greece's interference in the membership negotiations between Albania and the EU, citing the imprisonment of an elected mayor from the Greek national minority in Albania.

The organization in a statement expressed understanding of Greece's concern over the imprisonment of the elected mayor representing the Greek minority in Albania, emphasizing that such reactions are "perfectly normal."

However, the ABTTF contends that the same level of "sensitivity" should be extended to the West Thracian Turkish community, whose rights and freedoms are "systematically violated."

The ABTTF drew attention to ongoing issues faced by the Western Thrace Turkish community, particularly in the areas of education and organization.

The statement underlined the importance of upholding democratic values, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights and minorities, as outlined in the Copenhagen Criteria.

The organization asserted that these principles should apply not only to candidate countries seeking EU membership, such as Albania but also to the existing 27 member states of the EU, including Greece.

The ABTTF's critique came at a time when the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime in Albania detained Fredi Beleri, the mayoral candidate representing the Greek minority, on charges of "active corruption in the elections."

The arrest occurred prior to the local elections held on May 14 in Albania.