Published September 03,2023
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Türkiye strongly condemned destruction of tombstones in a Turkish cemetery in Western Thrace, a spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated on Sunday.
“We have taken word of the assertion made by the Greek Secretary General on the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs on this heinous incident, stating that an investigation has been initiated.
“We expect the Greek authorities to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice as soon as possible, to ensure that they receive the punishment they deserve and to clarify the reasons behind the incident,” Tanju Bilgiç stated in an announcement.
His remarks got here after tombstones within the cemetery of the Turkish minority in Narlikoy had been broken by unidentified individuals over the weekend.
“We convey our condolences to our kinsmen residing in Narlikoy and share their sorrow.
“The fact that even the cemeteries of Muslims are being targeted as part of the increasing Islamophobia across Europe demonstrates the importance and urgency of the struggle to defend our common human values,” he stated.
Türkiye calls on Greece to take the required measures on this route, to stop related acts sooner or later, and to make sure the peace and safety of the Turkish minority of Western Thrace, Bilgic added.
The Western Thrace region-located close to Greece’s northeastern border with Türkiye-is house to a considerable, long-established Muslim Turkish minority numbering round 150,000.
The rights of Turks of Western Thrace are assured beneath the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne. But over the many years, the scenario has critically deteriorated, with Greece refusing to hold out rulings by the European Court of Human Rights.
Türkiye has lengthy criticized Greece for depriving the Muslim Turkish minority of their fundamental rights and freedoms.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
