Measures to put right the injustices suffered by the Greek minority in Turkey
24.3.2014
Question for written answer E-003498-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE)
The expulsion of Greek nationals from Istanbul, which took place exactly 50 years ago on 16 March, was the harshest measure to which they had been subjected. On 16 March 1964, the Government of Turkey, having only a few months previously (in 1963) signed the first Association Agreement with the European Community[1], proceeded to expel Greek nationals from their homes in Istanbul in violation of the Treaty of Lausanne, using methods amounting to human rights infringements on a massive scale, including forcible expulsion and confiscation of all their property, with the result that, from 100 000 in 1960, the Greek community in Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos had fallen to only 30 000 by 1966, while today it numbers no more than 3 000.
In view of this:
- 1.Can the Commission say to what extent Turkey has taken measures to compensate for and put right the injustices suffered by the Greek minority in Turkey, in line with those repeatedly requested by their representatives in response to the European Parliament, the Commission and the Turkish Government?
- 2.How is this situation being dealt with in the context of EU accession talks with Turkey? Is the need for reparations for the injustices and acts of violence suffered by Greek minorities in Turkey among the requirements regarding compliance with basic EU tenets and the provisions of international law regarding the rights of minorities?
- [1] http://eur-lex.europa.eu/el/dossier/dossier_07.htm
OJ C 343, 01/10/2014