Reciprocal Insincerity: Current Trends in the Treatment of Minorities in Greece and Turkey, Fall 2010

Reciprocity, a principle that should never be used by a state on its own citizens, has nonetheless been applied by the Greek government to legitimize policies limiting or violating the rights of Turkish-Muslims in Greece, and by the Turkish government to do the same for the Greek-Orthodox in Turkey. Fortunately, the approach of both governments toward reciprocity has recently shown signs of change. Minorities are now considered in a more positive light. Yet, the governments of the two countries appear unwilling to fully abandon reciprocity and take steps to address the demands of minorities. Their rhetoric is insincere and a way to hide this mutual unwillingness.