2 February 1995

Doc. 7233

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 360

by Mr GÜL, Turkey, EDG *

on Minority Rights in Greece

      Mr GÜL,

1.       Noting that the Turkish Moslem minority in Greece has certain rights and freedoms guaranteed by international treaties;

2.       Learning with regret of the imprisonment of Mr Mehmet Emin Aga, the Müfti of Xanthi, on 24 January 1995, just before the Turkish Moslem minority was preparing to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, who has been sentenced simply for carrying out his religious duties, and thus not only religious freedoms of the Turkish Moslems in Western Thrace are violated, but also the said community is deprived of the leadership of their Müfti during the holy month,

3.       To ask the Committee of Ministers,

      If the behaviour of the Greek authorities is in conformity with the European values regarding freedom of religion of minorities.

Signed:

Gül

* EDG = European Democratic Group