The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement regarding the Chapter on Turkey of the “2020 Report on International Religious Freedom” published by the US Department of State which is described as “far from objectivity.”
In the same statement, it mentioned that Turkey has always had a social fabric “where individuals of various religions coexisted in peace and harmony.”
“Our country takes the necessary steps not just in words but in deeds to further advance the freedom of religion and worship of all our citizens. In fact, the Human Rights Action Plan, which was made public on 2 March 2021, sets goals and activities aimed at protecting freedom of religion and conscience as well as further securing the activities of representatives of non-Muslim communities and their foundations,” said the statement.
In conclusion, the Foreign Ministry reiterated that Turkey’s resolve to protect freedom of religion and worship of Turkish citizens remained firm while reaffirming that they will continue to pursue this goal.
It is reminded that the suffocating restrictions and unjust pressures on the Ecumenical Patriarchate, along with other religious minorities in Turkey, are documented in a new State Department report on Religious Freedom.
According to the report, the Turkish government continued to restrict the rights of non-Muslim religious minorities, especially those not recognized by the Lausanne Treaty.
Nevertheless, the report argues that even the three recognized communities (Greek Orthodox Christians, Jews, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Christians) are systematically discriminated against, which is in stark contrast to the Treaty of Lausanne.