Athens 9/10/97

I consider it my obligation to condemn the upcoming trial of activists of the "Rainbow" political party, in Florina, on the 14/10/97. These cadres are prosecuted because the party used an inscription in the mother language of the minority citizens in Macedonia similar to those used in their own mother language by politicians of the minority in Thrace without them being prosecuted.

I consider that it is time for Greek justice to align itself with the internationally applicable principles of human and minority rights, which are binding also for Greece. Inter alia, these allow for the possibility of minorities to self-ascription and not hetero-determination, as well as for the respect and free use of mother languages.

Akifoglou Birol
Member of Parliament for Xanthi

(The translation in English is the responsibility of Greek Helsinki Monitor)