The 16th Session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues took place in Geneva,
Switzerland, between 30 November and 1 December. Western Thrace Turks were represented at the Forum by the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association (WTMUGA) and the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe ABTTF). WTMUGA was represented by Human Rights Experts Kerem Abdurahimoglu and Meltem Giritli, and ABTTF was represented by Melek Kırmaci.
At the forum where the participation and inclusion of minorities in economic and social life was discussed, the Western Thrace Turkish Delegation took the floor and expressed the problems of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. Speaking at the second session of the forum titled “Economic Empowerment”, WTMUGA touched upon the problems experienced by Western Thrace Turks in the economic field and
drew attention to the sharp difference in development between Greek and Turkish settlements in the region. In the same speech, WTMUGA also mentioned the building problem experienced in Xanthi Minority Secondary School and High School.
Speaking at the first session of the Forum titled “Minorities and Societies in Unity: Equality, Social Inclusion and Socio-Economic Participation”, ABTTF expressed the problems of the Western Thrace Turkish minority in the field of education. After the forum, the WTMUGA delegation met with Mr. Nikolas Levrat, who was newly appointed as the UN Special Rapporteur on Minorities. The delegation wished success to the Special Rapporteur on Minorities in his new position and also gave information about the problems of Western Thrace Turks.
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