In the report prepared by the International Religious Freedoms Committee of the US Foreign Ministry, it was expressed that the freedom of faith in Turkey is going towards a worrying direction in 2020. The transformation of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque was evaluated as a hostile and discriminative step against the minorities. Here are the highlights from the report on its evaluations for Turkey:
- The government refrained from taking steps on the freedom of faith, neglecting the targeting and attacks against minorities. The perpetrators were left under impunity.
- The call of the Alevis on cemevis having a religious status were not replied. Claims on religious classes in education were also left unanswered.
- Many different religious societies felt under threat due to direct pressure by the government or attacks by civilians.
- Lawsuits continued against individuals and groups having different faiths and thoughts, accused by the officials of “insulting religious values.”
- Individuals belonging to neither of the religions as well as the LGBTQ+ community were exposed to hate speech.
Please click here for the full report…
22.04.2021
bianet.org