#Kolokotronis again: “Our #Revolution is unlike any of the others that are taking place in Europe. The European revolutions against the governments are civil wars. Our war is a just war between two nations, one of which has suppressed the other with violence.” 6/6

It was this unbroken historical continuity spanning more than 3,000 years that led the #Greeks to launch the first national revolution in #Europe, reconstitute their state, and set an example for #freedom fighters everywhere. 5/6

The British admiral could not have imagined that in 1822 this simple Greek guerrilla in front of him was still evoking Constantine XI #Palaiologos, the last #RomanEmperor who had fallen fighting at the gates of #Constantinople almost 400 years before. 4/6

Hamilton was baffled. Who was that king #Kolokotronis was talking about? #Greece had been under the #Ottoman yoke for centuries and most certainly didn’t have a state, let alone a king. 3/6

'We will never do so, now is the time for freedom or death. We, admiral, never negotiated with the #Turks. Many of us were killed, many enslaved, and a few lived free from one generation to the next. Our King was killed, he never negotiated, and his guard continued the war' 2/6

'#Turkey’s deadly assault against #Kurdish positions in north-eastern #Syria has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, the #UnitedNations said. “An estimated 100,000 people have already left their homes,” it said in a statement' https://t.co/jczjhmcdym

'Songs, dancing, then a bomb: How Turkey may have committed a war crime against a protest convoy in Syria. A dozen people were killed when forces attacked the Kurdish demonstrators' https://t.co/FdvdE1NdgR

#HagiaSophia sits at the top of a long list of #Christian and #Byzantine monuments that were left to decay, or were simply vandalised or destroyed by successive #Turkish governments and religious organisations. A point perhaps worth considering for #UNESCO decision makers 8/8

In October 2023, distinguished Turkish historian Ilber Ortayli said he feared that the large number of additional daily visitors to #HagiaSophia could even lead to catastrophic structural failure if not addressed immediately by restricting entry to the monument 7/8

Since the ticketed entrance was abolished, millions of #Muslim believers visiting #HagiaSophia are changing the building’s environment. Increased #humidity caused by intensified visitor traffic is affecting the stonework and fragile artworks, such as #mosaics 6/8

According to the Turkish newspaper #Cumhuriyet, a tour guide on the site said, “This historic building has faced tremendous damage. When #HagiaSophia was a museum, people visited it with great respect. It’s like a fairground now. 5/8

In June 2022, a number of the ancient #marble tiles on the floor of the #HagiaSophia were reportedly cracked by heavy machinery used to clean the building 4/8

In April 2022, the historical Imperial Gate of #HagiaSophia, dating back to the 6th century, was vandalised, presumably during prayer hours. The security manager of the site claimed he had “not noticed anything” 3/8

In July 2020, the Byzantine #mosaics of #HagiaSophia were covered with curtains to avoid offending praying #Muslim believers. The curtains are supported by metal supports, inserted into the structure of the building without prior consultation about potential damage 2/8

Türkiye's crackdown on freedom of expression continues, affecting journalists, writers, and critical voices, undermining the informed choice of voters during the May 2023 election campaign, says the European Commission's 2023 report. #FreedomOfExpression #EUTurkiyeReport 5/5

The European Commission's report on Türkiye for 2023 points out a continued deterioration of human and fundamental rights, with the need for legislative alignment with ECHR and ECtHR case law. #HumanRightsConcerns #EUTurkiyeReport 4/5

Civil society in Türkiye faces increased pressure, with a shrinking space to operate, limiting freedoms of expression, association, and assembly, as reported by the European Commission. #CivilSocietyUnderPressure #EUTurkiyeReport 3/5