Ishtartv.com
- vision.org.au
Monday, June 7th, 2021
Four Christian charities have
urged the United Nations’ Human Rights Committee to help persecuted believers
in Turkey.
The four groups are the European
Evangelical Alliance, World Evangelical Alliance, Middle East Concern and the
Turkish Association of Protestant Churches.
Barnabas Fund reports the groups
cite examples of institutionalised discrimination against Protestant
Christians.
Their report wants the UN’s Human
Rights Committee to ask a series of questions of the Turkish Government.
These relate to fair procedures
for pastors faced with deportation, churches seeking legal recognition, and
Christians freely practising their faith.
Churches in Turkey are often
prevented from obtaining legal status as a religious congregation, or from
having their church buildings and meeting places officially recognised as
places of worship.
This is despite Turkey being a
signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The report says the
discrimination is caused by an ingrained suspicion and hostility towards
Christians, especially Protestants, which is encouraged by the Turkish
government.
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