PUBLIC APPEAL OF 3 MINORITY DEPUTIES AND 28 MINORITY OR NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ON THE OCCASION OF THE UNIVERSAL DAY AGAINST RACISM (21 MARCH)

To the Speaker of the Greek Parliament and the Party Leaders for the Immediate Ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

19 March 1999

On the occasion of the celebration on the 21st of March of the «Universal Day Against Racism,» the Political Party, the 3 minority deputies and 27 minority or non-governmental organizations that defend the rights of minorities launch an appeal to the Speaker of the Greek Parliament and to the Party Leaders for the prompt and unconditional ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protectin of National Minorities. Only Albania and Turkey have also not yet ratified the Convention, recently ratified by Bulgaria.

TEXT OF THE APPEAL

We, the undersigned, belonging to the national, religious, or linguistic minorities in Greece or to non-governmental organizations, which defend the rights of these minorities, call upon the Greek Parliament to ratify as soon as possible the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, without any accompanying texts or explanatory declarations.

Deputies and Organizations of National Minorities (14)

- Birol Akifoglu, Deputy of New Democracy, Xanthi
- Galip Galip, Deputy of PASOK, Rhodope
- Mustafa Mustafa, Deputy of the Coalition of the Left, Rhodope
- Association of Teachers Graduates of the Thessaloniki Special Pedagogical Academy (EPATH) from the Prefecture of Rhodope
- Committee of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace
- Turkish Minority Teachers’ Association
- Turkish Union of Xanthi
- Union of the Turkish Youth of Komotini
- Western Thrace Minority Scientists’ Association Association of Minority Teachers
- Western Thrace Minority Young Academicians’ Club
- Home of Macedonian Culture
- Macedonian Movement for Human Rights
- Rainbow [political party of the national Macedonian minority]

Organization of Roma (1)

- Panhellenic Federation of Greek Roma Associations

Organization of Linguistic Minority (1)

- Association of Aromani (Vlach) Culture

Organizations of Religious Minorities (5)

- Association of the Christians Jehovah’s Witnesses of Greece
- Catholic Diocese of Syros, Caritas of Syros
- Union of Catholic Students of Greece
- Union of the Catholic Youth of Greece
- Hellenic Watch (Protestant)

Non-Governmental Organizations (10)