The 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, which governs the legal status of the Muslim Minority in Thrace, is clear: it is a religious minority. Its character cannot be challenged or redefined at will. The Muslim Minority in Thrace consists of Greek citizens and constitutes an integral part of Greek society.
Through Law 4964/2022, Greece established a modern and democratic process for the selection of Muftis, involving members of the Minority itself—including women—thereby enhancing transparency and ensuring full respect for religious freedom.
It is, to say the least, hypocritical for Türkiye to lecture Greece on religious freedom and respect for human rights, all the more so given that, in Türkiye itself, Muftis are appointed by the state. For such admonitions to be credible, there must, first and foremost, be consistency between words and actions.
The free exercise of religious faith is a fundamental right. However, it cannot be invoked selectively, nor can it be used as a pretext for interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. Greece, as a European state governed by the rule of law - fully committed to the principles of equality before the law and equal citizenship - protects the rights of all its citizens, while upholding international law in its entirety.
October 24, 2026