Destruction of Greek cemetery in Istanbul

10.9.2009

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4486/09
by Athanasios Plevris (EFD)
to the Commission

During the night of 2-3 September 2009, members of a parastatal organisation vandalised a large number of tombs in the Greek Orthodox cemetery at the Zoodochos Pigi Monastery at Baloukli in Istanbul. These acts of vandalism were perpetrated on the occasion of the sad anniversary of events in 1955 when an organised mob backed by the Turkish Government destroyed the properties of the Greeks of Istanbul. Furthermore, the recent reference by a Turkish MP to registering the homes of the Greek minority in Istanbul is of particular concern.

1. Is the Commission aware of the recent sacrilegious acts of destruction in the Greek cemetery in Istanbul and what are its views on this subject?

2. What view does it take of Turkey's persistent lack of respect for Greek Christian monuments?

3. Will it take measures to support the Greek minority in Istanbul?

4. Does it intend to take initiatives to safeguard the property and holy sites of the Greek minority?

5. Does it believe that such acts as the above are consistent with the Turkish State's ‘European’ orientation?

OJ C 10 E, 14/01/2011