GREECE........ This is how Greeks like to identify their culture and their country. And I know many Greeks or Turks of Greek origin who deserve to be proud. Because they live by the rules of decency and civilized behavior. For example, I often fondly remember my Greek American professor at UCLA who was someone I always looked up to as a new student from Turkey. He was always supportive, always friendly, always helpful. I think of my best friends at the university who now live in Athens. I think of many great days I spent in Athens during a conference I attended there. But I do not have such good words when it comes to the majority of Greek politicians and those bigoted and racist Greek minority who would do anything in their power to disseminate hatred of anything Turkish. These people act as if they have nothing else in their lives. They wake up in the morning with the hatred of Turks, and they go to bed with the same hatred. How else would you explain the actions of those who threatened Mr. Banderas for accepting to portray great ATATURK in an upcoming movie. Who on this earth would reach to such lows. Let us now set aside the mischievous actions of some misfits in the Greek community and concentrate on the "great achievements" of the Greek governments, ruling the cradle of democracy. I recently read a report by the "International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights" presented to the UN Commission on Human Rights during the 54th Session in Geneva (March 16- April 24, 1998) regarding "Protection of Ethnic Minorities in Greece". I want to share with you some excerpts from this revealing document:
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| The Macedonian Minority This minority is still not recognized by the Greek government and consequently faces various forms of harassment an discrimination. These include restrictions on freedom of cultural expression, violations of freedom of association, harassment of its political party, Rainbow, denial of entry to Greece by ethnic Macedonians and former Greek citizens living abroad, and citizenship issues. On June 24, 1996, the European Commission of Human Rights declared admissible the complaint against Greece, filed by the founders of the association Home of Macedonian Culture. The Greek state attempted to refute the applicant’s claim by arguing that no such minority existed in Greece (Macedonians just vaporized in Greek government’s imagination- my addition).
The Turkish Minority The Greek government does not acknowledge that the vast majority of Thracian Muslims identify themselves as Turks (cradle of civilization or cradle of vaporization ?-my addition). Even Greek Supreme Court decisions have refused to accept the names of associations which contain the adjective "Turkish". Throughout recent decades, Greek governments have actively encouraged the "Muslim" minority to leave the country. They have frequently resorted to discriminatory measures and created a climate of insecurity. Cultural isolation constitutes the most serious complaint made by members of the Turkish minority. Turkish teachers are also frequently harassed and sued. No member of the minority is known to be employed in any position in the region’s public administration (come again ??? was it the cradle of democracy ??? - my addition). The Greek government insists on having the right to appoint the religious leader of the Turkish minority. People who are elected by the community are convicted for "pretense of authority" for using the title "Mufti". A law was introduced which redrew the borders of the electoral districts, making it extremely difficult for the Turks to elect their chosen candidates. The law joined minority districts with adjacent ones so that ethnic Turks have no chance to elect a person of their own choice as prefect or their representatives in local councils.
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| The Roma Minority The major common problem for all Roma remained discrimination and open racism, both among the population and in local governments. In addition, many Roma do not have identity cards because some local authorities have arbitrarily refused to register Roma or placed so many hurdles in their way that they have given up the attempt. The lack of identity cards prevents them from having access to large number of services, particularly in the health sector. Forceful expulsion or replacement of Roma were also undertaken by municipal authorities, for example, in Agia Paraskevi, Trikala and Evosmos in the summer of 1997.
I did not come up with these stories. I just relayed to you some portions of a lengthy human rights report. These are facts that we have to know and talk about. When Turkey is criticized for human rights violations we should be concerned and demand correction from the Turkish government. But, at the same time we should tell the story of how decades after decades of near-sighted politicians turned the neighboring cradle of democracy into a state where any non-Greek is assumed to be non-existent. 12 Agustos 1998 © COPYRIGHT 1998, TURKIYE NET (www.turkiye.net) Önceki Yazilar |