Geneva: The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has raised concerns about the Western Thrace Turkish minority's right to elect its muftis and the status of its religious institutions before the UN Human Rights Council. The federation submitted a written statement to the council's 63rd regular session, being held in Geneva, Switzerland, from Sept. 7 to Oct. 7.

According to Anadolu Agency, the statement, titled 'Ongoing interference with the religious autonomy of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace in Greece and violations of freedom of religion,' highlights that the minority's religious status and rights were guaranteed under the 1913 Treaty of Athens and the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne. These arrangements historically allowed the minority to elect its muftis and administer its religious institutions independently.

The federation reports that the community elected its own muftis until 1985, but a legal change in 1991 led to the Greek state appointing them, effectively ending the community's ability to choose its own religious leaders. In 2022, Law No. 4964 altered the status of the mufti offices, converting them into public institutions under Greece's Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Ministry.

A state-appointed mufti was installed in Didymoteicho in 2026, and similar appointment procedures are in progress in other areas such as Xanthi and Komotini, according to the ABTTF. The federation argues that while other recognized religious communities in Greece can select their leaders, the Turkish minority's religious institutions remain under state control. This raises concerns about the freedom of religion or belief and equality.

In Greece, the state appoints the religious leaders, or muftis, of the Western Thrace Turkish minority and the administrative boards of minority foundations. The Turkish minority opposes this practice and calls for the recognition of community-elected muftis.