The Turkish government on Sunday issued a formal condemnation regarding the decision by Greece to close eight primary schools serving the Turkish minority in Western Thrace. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the closures were justified by Greek authorities under the pretext of an insufficient number of students, a move that reduces the total count of minority primary schools in the region to 76.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli expressed strong criticism regarding the decision, specifically highlighting new obstacles placed on first-grade enrollment at the 1st Turkish Minority Primary School of Xanthi. Keceli described these actions as part of a systematic effort to erode the educational rights of the Turkish minority living in Western Thrace. He explicitly stated that these oppressive decisions and practices constitute a violation of the provisions established in the Treaty of Lausanne.
Keceli urged the Greek government to adhere to its international obligations concerning fundamental human rights and minority protections. He further noted that Greece continues to refrain from implementing recommendations from European institutions and rulings from international courts that have identified rights violations against the Turkish minority in the region. Emphasizing that Türkiye remains committed to the issue, the spokesperson affirmed that the country will continue to provide firm support to the Turkish minority in Western Thrace as they struggle to protect their legal status and rights.
