VIOLENT CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN THE PARA-STATE MECHANISMS OF GREECE AND TURKEY

GREEK HELSINKI MONITOR

(Greek National Committee of the International Helsinki Federation)

& MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP - GREECE

(Greek Affiliate of Minority Rights Group International)

P.O. Box 51393, GR-14510 Kifisia, Greece; tel. 30-1-620.01.20; fax: 30-1-807.57.67;

e-mail: panayote@greekhelsinki.gr      http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

14/1/1998

 

 

TOPIC: VIOLENT CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN THE PARA-STATE MECHANISMS OF GREECE AND TURKEY

 

The cooperating organizations Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group - Greece express their disgust at the murder (12/1) of the Christian warden, Vassilis Haviaropoulos, at the Holy Spring of Saint Therapon in Istanbul. We also blame the Turkish nationalist circles in Turkey who do not hesitate to use these means to fuel intolerance and fanaticism, as well as the Turkish security authorities for their failure to bring to justice those responsible for many similar incidents against their Christian fellow-countrymen.

 

Equally, we feel the need to condemn outright the beatings of members of the Turkish minority which have taken place during the last 15 days in Thrace. It is typical that in spite of the fact that our office in Komotini had recently informed the local police and other appropriate state authorities that it must take the necessary security measures to safeguard the personal safety of our minority fellow-citizens, the authorities’ indifference resulted in the unhindered perpetuation of  physical violence. It appears that the recent issuing of identity cards to the minorities in Thrace, has infuriated the nationalistic elements in the area to such a degree that they resort to violent acts and beatings, even using under-age children to carry them out. Unfortunately, the police acted only “the day after the fair”, in fact only after specific criticism by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

 

Also, we condemn the vast majority of the Greek Press, which suppressed the news about the unacceptable violent attacks that took place in Thrace by proceeding in an orchestrated populist campaign of misinformation. Finally we invite the Greek and Turkish governments not to involve the minorities of both sides in their political games and to intervene immediately to stop these confrontations between the para-state mechanisms of both countries.