20 December 2003 07:28
US report slams Turkey for discriminatory religious policies
Turkey is placed on the list of countries pursuing 'discriminatory legislation or policies disadvantaging
certain religions,' a category which includes Belarus, Brunei, Eritrea, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Moldova and
Russia
Complaining that some non-Muslim communities, Christians and Baha'is face some restrictions and occasional
harassment, the report also notes a continuing ban on wearing headscarves in state offices, including universities
ANKARA - An annual U.S. religious freedoms report criticized Turkey for "discriminatory legislation or policies
against certain religions" and said government-imposed restrictions on religious freedoms continued despite
constitutional guarantees.
"The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in
practice; however, the Government imposes some restrictions on religious groups and on religious expression in
government offices and state-run institutions, including universities," the International Religious Freedom Report
2003 from the U.S. State Department said in its Turkey section.
The report, released Friday, classified world countries where it said religious freedom was restricted into five
categories. Turkey was placed in the list of countries pursuing "discriminatory legislation or policies
disadvantaging certain religions," a category which includes Belarus, Brunei, Eritrea, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia,
Moldova and Russia.
Complaining that some non-Muslim communities, Christians and Baha'is faced some restrictions and occasional
harassment, the report also noted a campaign by pro-secularists against "Islamic fundamentalism."
"Secularists in the military, judiciary, and other branches of the State bureaucracy continued to wage campaigns
against what they label as proponents of Islamic fundamentalism. These groups view religious fundamentalism, which they
do not define clearly, but which they assert is an attempt to impose the rule of Shari'a law in all civil and
criminal matters, as a threat to the secular republic," the report said.
"The generally tolerant relationship among religions in society contributed to religious freedom in principle;
however, a sharp debate continued over the State's definition of "secularism," the proper role of
religion in society, and the potential influence of the country's small minority of Islamists. Christians,
Baha'is, and some Muslims faced societal suspicion and mistrust, and more radical Islamist elements continued to
express anti-Jewish sentiments. Additionally, some persons wishing to convert from Islam to another religion experienced
social harassment from friends and neighbors," it went on.
The report also cited past court decisions against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, banned Welfare Party's
(RP) former leader Necmettin Erbakan and Fethullah Gulen, a controversial religious leader now residing in the United
States.
Headscarf ban
The report noted a continuing ban on wearing headscarves in state institutions, including universities in the chapter
focusing on restrictions on freedom of religion.
"State authorities continued to enforce a long-term ban on the wearing of religious head coverings at
universities and by civil servants in public buildings. Women who wear head coverings and persons who actively show
support for those who defy the ban have been disciplined or lost their jobs in the public sector as nurses and teachers.
Students who wear head coverings are not permitted to register for classes," it said.
The report took note of a boycott by the president, military leaders and opposition party members of a traditional
state reception in April, marking the anniversary of the Republic, because Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc's wife,
who wears a Muslim headscarf, was listed on the invitation as co-host.
Announcing the report in Washington, John Hanford, ambassador at large for international religious freedom, said the
United States would watch a move by French President Jacques Chirac to advise a ban on the headscarf carefully and went
on to say: "This fits with an approach we have taken with a number of countries that restrict headscarves, where we
have felt that where people are wearing these with no provocation, simply as a manifestation of their own heartfelt
beliefs, that we don't see where this causes division among peoples."
Asked if he was referring to Turkey, Hanford said, "Turkey would be another country, yes."
Plight of non-Muslims
The State Department report cited complaints from some members of non-Muslim religious groups that they have limited
career prospects in government or the military service, particularly as military officers, judges, or prosecutors.
Although no law explicitly prohibits proselytizing or religious conversions, many prosecutors and police regard
proselytizing and religious activism with suspicion, especially when such activities are deemed to have political
overtones.
According to the State Department assessment, Turkish authorities continue to monitor the activities of Greek
Orthodox churches but generally do not interfere with their activities. It notes the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate's
efforts to reopen the Halki seminary on the island of Heybeli in the Sea of Marmara and says, under existing
restrictions, religious communities largely remain unable to train new clergy in the country for eventual
leadership.
Improvements
The report cited a reform measure in October 2002 to allow, non-Muslim foundations to acquire property for the first
time since 1936, although a number of foundations criticized the application process as lengthy and burdensome.
In May 2002, the Directorate of Religious Affairs adopted a series of decisions after holding a 4-day conference on
religious and formally decided to allow women to participate in the congregation for daily prayers on Fridays, during
religious holidays, and funeral prayers; allow original Arabic prayers to be recited in native tongues; rule that men
may not use the Koran as a premise for domestic violence; underline the fact that civil marriages (rather than religious
marriages) are required by law; and state that social and legal advances for women are not against the spirit of the
Koran.
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
