Our Valued People,

As we continue our struggle for rights as the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority, the latest pressures and intimidations moves we are exposed to are unacceptable.

First of all, I strongly condemn the detention of Iasmos Mayor İsmet Kadı by the police on 19th December 2016 and the extremely ugly treatment he was subjected to when he was taken into custody. Which other mayor has been treated in this manner as Minority member Iasmos Mayor Ismet Kadi? Even if you are a mayor and a minority member then it is possible to see all kinds of oppression in this country.

On 12th December 2016, as the FEP Party with the Greek Helsinki Monitor we organised around table meeting in Athens at the Journalists’ Union about ‘National Minorities in Greece and Recommendation from International Organisations.’ Our meeting was sabotaged with unfit and unbelievable behaviour. It was invaded by MPs and sympathizers from the racist Golden Dawn Party. These people, who threatened me also, insulted my colleagues, participants, our minority and national identity. We are against an understanding that does not respect our minority people’s ideas and struggle for rights.

We, as members of an official minority, want to lives as happy individuals entitled with our rights in our own country. Is it a crime to want to serve our own country as a happy minority individual with our knowledge and experience?

We, as a society with its identity recognised it this country, its minority rights given with the Lausanne Treaty and with its rights as equal citizens will continue our struggle tirelessly. Despite all obstacles once day as a minority with all our rights hand in hand with the majority for better days for this country will work to make this dream true. This I sincerely believe and share with the public.

Regards,

Mustafa Ali Cavus
FEP Party President