I wish the case of the Xanthi Turkish Union, one of the most important milestones in this legal battle, which will be discussed at the Court of Appeals of Thrace on 9 February 2018, will start a new process.

The fact that the European Court of Human Rights' decision, given before 10 years ago about the Xanthi Turkish Union, has not been implemented for 10 years is a shame for our country, Greece. It is an obligation of law and human rights to return the official form of the Xanthi Turkish Union, the oldest association of Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority, as soon as possible. As FEP Party Leader, I would like to emphasize that our minority's freedom of association can not be restricted any more.

I would like to repeat our support for the Xanthi Turkish Union which has been continuing this struggle for years in the country and also on the international platform.

It is an obligation of international law to give an end to that policy of state which is based on “denial” over 30 years. As FEP Party we remind you that we are waiting in the name of law and democracy, starting from the Xanthi Turkish Union, to return the official forms of associations which their names contain the words of “Turk” and “Minority”, to implement the decisions of European Court of Human Rights about those associations. I would like to express very sincerely that I do not want the state, which we are citizens in, to disappoint once again the minority.

Mustafa ALİ ÇAVUŞ
FEP Party Leader