Controversy Surrounds Turkey’s Expulsion of Foreign Christians
The recent expulsion of foreign Christians from Turkey has sparked a significant debate between Turkish authorities and international bodies. The European Parliament has raised concerns about the deportations, which have affected more than 200 foreign Christian workers since 2020, impacting roughly 350 individuals in total.
These expulsions have left many Protestant communities without their leaders, as a significant number of those removed are ordained ministers who have long served in Turkey. The Turkish government has justified these actions by citing national security concerns, preventing the entry or re-entry of these Christians.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has recently engaged with Turkey on this matter, “communicating” 20 cases and requesting the government to provide their observations. Additionally, the European Parliament has passed a resolution denouncing these expulsions, claiming they are based on “unsubstantiated national-security pretexts and without due process”.
Turkey’s foreign ministry has dismissed the European Parliament’s claims as “unfounded allegations”, viewing them as interference in its domestic matters. ADF International, a legal advocacy group representing many of the cases brought to the ECHR, argues that Turkey is inappropriately applying anti-terrorism measures against peaceful Christians.
Kelsey Zorzi, Director of Global Religious Freedom at ADF International, stated, “The Turkish government’s rejection of the European Parliament’s vote shows a clear lack of respect for its human rights obligations. When a government weaponizes national security mechanisms to target peaceful missionaries and faith communities, they must not be allowed to act with impunity.”
During a European Parliament debate, Croatian MEP Tomislav Sokol criticized the expulsions as another attack on Christians, whom he identified as the “most persecuted religious minority around the world.” He emphasized, “The EU cannot talk of human rights and then remain silent when Christians are facing problems in Africa or persecution in a neighbouring country. We must stand up for freedom of religion everywhere without any double standards … Turkey must put a stop to these deportations of Christians.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
