How is this still happening?
Protestant Christians in Turkey continued to experience difficulties practicing their faith in 2023, as highlighted by a rights report. According to the Human Rights Violation Report 2023, published on June 4 by the Protestant Churches Association (Protestan Kiliseler Derneği), incidents of both verbal and written hate speech, alongside some violent episodes, were documented.
The report detailed opposition to some of the 205 Protestant churches, which are either independent or part of fellowship clusters, particularly regarding their church buildings. It also highlighted the ongoing issue of denied legal rights for training ministry leaders. The association reported no progress in 2023 concerning the rights of Christians to train their own religious workers. Many foreign church leaders faced deportation, denial of entry, or challenges in renewing residence permits.
Christian education and ministry training remain significant challenges due to official opposition. Turkish laws continue to prevent the training of Christian clergy and the establishment of religious education institutions for church communities. This is a fundamental issue as the right to train religious leaders is a cornerstone of religious freedom.
To address this, Protestant communities attempt to send students abroad or invite foreign ministry leaders to train local Christians. However, the need for foreign workers to support these churches remains critical. The report noted ongoing issues in 2023 with foreign religious workers and congregation members being deported, refused entry, or denied residence permits and visas, leaving many congregations in difficult situations.
Hate crimes and physical attacks based on faith were also reported. Incidents included a pastor in Eskişehir Province being punched during a service, threats against another pastor in Tepebaşı, and vandalism of church property in İstanbul. In Kayseri, stones damaged a church facility used for earthquake relief, and similar attacks occurred in Amasya Province. Verbal incidents were also noted, such as false accusations, mockery during aid efforts, and harassment by individuals in religious attire.
New Protestant churches, unlike traditional and historic ones, lack official support for using buildings. They often register as religious associations and rent spaces like shops or depots for worship, but these premises are not officially recognized as places of worship. This means they miss out on benefits such as free utilities and tax exemptions. Authorities often warn these new churches about their lack of legal status, which can lead to potential closures. Most of Turkey’s 205 Protestant churches are located in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.