Monitoring Report on the Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Turkey

The Freedom of Belief Initiative and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee are pleased to share the English translation of our Monitoring Report on the Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Turkey (July 2014 – June 2015).

The report which was written by Dr. Mine Yıldırım finds that there are numerous old and new problems related to the exercise of freedom of religion or belief in Turkey that still await solutions. For years, including during recent attempts to draft a new constitution, different religious or belief groups have expressed demands that political actors find permanent solutions to their problems in a participatory and inclusive way. International human rights protection mechanisms as well as Turkish court judgments have pointed to the need for Turkish legislation and practice to be brought into harmony with human rights standards on freedom of religion or belief. The post-election government will face the task of ensuring a true change for the better in this regard.

Please contact Mine Yıldırım at yildirim@nhc.no for questions or comments.