Balkans | The reaction of the Turks of Western Thrace to the closure of 9 schools for minorities

The Turks of Western Thrace responded to the decision of the Greek Ministry of Education to close 9 more schools for minorities, citing the insufficient number of students in the region.

In a written statement issued by the Advisory Council of Western Turkish Minorities in Thrace, the Greek Ministry of Education, which decided to close 9 more schools for minorities, was condemned.

“We strongly condemn these and similar outdated decisions in the field of education,” the statement read. expressions were used.

Emphasizing that the status of education for minorities is determined by international agreements, especially the Treaty of Lausanne, it has been stated that there is a regression rather than an improvement with regard to minority rights.

In the statement, the statement stressed that Greece does not interpret international law and international treaties only against the minority.

The Friendship, Equality and Peace Party (DEB) said in a statement: “Facing such a decision after threatening statements and attitudes towards the Turkish Muslim minority in Western Thrace during the general elections disappoints the minority once again.”

In a statement issued by the Turkish Komotini Youth Union (GTGB), it was emphasized that the decisions taken by the government without taking into account the demands of minority officials are “unacceptable”.

While the number of Turkish minority primary schools, which have been systematically closed since 2011 due to a shortage of students, has increased steadily, the number of functioning minority schools in Western Thrace has decreased to 90.

In 1995, 231 schools for minorities were operating throughout Western Thrace.

AA