12/07/2020 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern) – International Christian Concern (ICC) and Middle East Concern (MEC) have published a joint report entitled Turkey: Challenges Facing Christians 2016-2020. This report analyzes how the dynamics of historical revisionism and legal identity have impacted Turkey's Christian community, as well as those living in neighboring regional areas under Turkish influence.
These combined dynamics make the integration of religious freedom into society a challenge that directly influences Christians. The report examines relevant case studies about how these dynamics impact both churches and congregants. The following themes were found:
- Emphasis on forming and maintaining the Turkish identity around Islam
- Suppression of legal status for Christians and their institutions
- Historical revisionism as a type of virtue signaling
- Excluding Christians from full acceptance and participation in Turkish society
- Neglecting the place of Christians in the lands, their history, and suffering
- Using intimidation tactics to suppress the cultural and ethnic expression of Christians
- No active promotion of human rights
- Exploitation of the vulnerabilities of Christians
- (Ab)use of Christians as an international bargaining chip and domestic political leverage.
"The institutionalized use of religious freedom as a political bargaining chip should prompt caution amongst human rights advocates," warns the report. "Turkey conditionally tolerates Christians based on factors which impact domestic and international affairs according to the ruling government's strategy."
As the report states in its conclusion, "Turkey has an obligation under national and international law to uphold Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The authorities must provide a legal framework to accommodate its religious minorities and develop a national narrative that promotes social cohesion… This obligation extends to those territories under Turkish military control."
The report Turkey: Challenges Facing Christians 2016-2020 can be read here.
Claire Evans, ICC's Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, "It is our earnest hope that this report can facilitate an open dialogue about the ongoing challenges faced by Christians living in Turkey. Though the challenges may appear daunting, the underlying issue is primarily one of legal identity and status. This issue has been inherited throughout the decades, but now is the time to address it. Religious freedom is integral to social peace, stability, growth, and international connectivity. We hope that this report can contribute to a flourishing society throughout all of Turkey."
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