"UNITED NATION COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
SUB-COMMISSION ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
WORKING GROUP ON MINORITIES
TWELFTH SESSIONON, GENEVA 8-11 AUGUST 2006
MUSLIM TURKISH MINORITY OF WESTERN THRACE – GREECE
Thank you Mr. Chairman,
My name is Tzemil Kapza; I am representing Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association in Greece.
INTRODUCTION
With the expansion of the Ottoman Empire during the twelfth century in the Balkans, Turks settled in Western Thrace, in the North East part of Greece and today the estimated population of ethnic Turks living in this area is around 150.000. Members of the Muslim Turkish Minority identify themselves as ethnic Turks.
Although Greece has been a member of the European Union for 25 years, has signed and ratified most of the international instruments protecting basic human rights, unfortunately continues to ignore its obligations regarding the recognition and the protection of the rights of the Muslim Turkish Minority of Western Thrace as well as the rights of other existing ethnic minorities in Greece, such as the Macedonian minority.
Our 24-year-old association has been participating to the UN Working Group on Minorities since 1998. The Greek delegation by using the right to reply has been showing the good will; however, it is embarrassing to receive insults such as “so-called NGO”. By appraising our statements, as “allegations” is only misleading the truth. "
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