They are facing discrimination from the government.
The Diyarbakir Protestant Church Foundation, established in 2019 to support Protestant Christians in southeastern Turkey, faces significant challenges in acquiring land to build a new worship center. Despite a growing congregation of over 100 attendees, their requests for suitable land have been repeatedly denied or ignored by local authorities, citing lack of jurisdiction to approve such requests. This discriminatory treatment, according to ADF International, stems from the church not aligning with the state’s preferred religion.
Kelsey Zorzi of ADF International emphasizes that the land in question is designated for religious use, highlighting the government’s discriminatory practices against non-preferred religious groups. This situation not only violates the fundamental human right to religious freedom but also contradicts Turkey’s international obligations. The foundation currently operates in cramped conditions, prompting a legal battle to secure adequate space for worship.
Orhan Kemal Cengiz, leading ADF International’s efforts in Turkey, describes the situation as a severe infringement on freedom of religion. He points out that Christians in Turkey face numerous legal and practical barriers when attempting to establish recognized places of worship, reflecting broader issues of religious discrimination amid Turkey’s increasing Islamization and nationalism.
The challenges extend beyond land acquisition. Since 2018, Turkey has deported at least 185 foreign Protestant ministers under vaguely defined security pretexts, severely limiting legal avenues for appeal. Recent rulings by Turkey’s Constitutional Court uphold such deportations, reinforcing concerns about the arbitrary use of security codes to suppress religious activities deemed non-conducive to national interests.
Internationally, there is growing concern over Turkey’s treatment of Christians, exemplified by controversial conversions of historic Christian sites into mosques. These actions, including the conversion of the Church of Saint Savior in Chora and the Hagia Sophia Basilica, are seen as attempts to diminish the historical Christian presence in Turkey and undermine efforts at interreligious dialogue.
In summary, the plight of the Diyarbakir Protestant Church Foundation underscores broader issues of religious discrimination in Turkey. It highlights ongoing struggles for religious minorities to practice their faith freely and legally, amidst a backdrop of increasing state control and nationalist policies that marginalize non-dominant religious groups.