ECHR to hear cases on deportations and entry bans for Christians in Turkey

Building of the ECHR. Photo: open sources

The European Court of Human Rights has notified the Turkish authorities of a series of complaints concerning the deportation of foreign Christians and bans on their entry, and has requested official explanations in these cases, Christian Today reports.

At least 20 cases are involved, for which the Strasbourg court has initiated proceedings. Since 2020, more than 200 foreign Christian ministers have been expelled from Turkey, affecting around 350 people in total. Many of them were later barred from re-entering the country on “national security” grounds.

According to lawyers, the restrictions have affected pastors, teachers, missionaries, and other representatives of Protestant communities – some of whom had lived in Turkey for decades. As a result, a number of parishes have been left without pastoral care. The applicants’ lawyer, Lydia Rider, said that peaceful participation in church life cannot be treated as a security threat, and that those expelled were denied access to the allegations against them and the ability to mount a full defense of their rights.

An ECLJ report published last year states that Christianity and Christian converts in Turkey are often portrayed negatively in textbooks and media, and "hate speech" against Christians is "widespread" in public discourse.

Human rights advocates note that the cases under review may point to a systemic practice of discrimination against Christians in the country. Earlier reports have described administrative restrictions, attacks on churches, difficulties in registering religious organizations, and the confiscation of church property. The ECHR’s position is expected to become an important benchmark in the protection of freedom of religion in Turkey.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that those who attacked a Catholic church in Turkey were sentenced to life imprisonment.

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