FoRB News
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Churches of Diyarbakir also expropriated
While clashes and curfews continue in Diyarbakir, the cabinet took an urgent expropriation decision. Surp Giragos Church, the largest Armenian church in Middle East, is among the places in Sur province of Diyarbakir that are expropriated by the decision of…
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Preliminary findings of Country Visit to Denmark by Heiner Bielefeldt Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
Copenhagen, 22 Mars 2016 I. Introductory remarks From 13 to 22 March I have undertaken a visit to the Kingdom of Denmark in my capacity as UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. First and foremost, I would…
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High Court exempts cemevis from paying bills, ending decades-long discrimination
The ECtHR ruled on Dec. 2 of last year that Turkey’s failure to exempt cemevis — Alevi places of worship — from paying their electricity and water bills violates Article 14 on the prohibition of discrimination and Article 9 on…
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Alevi inmate granted meeting with religious official in Ankara
The meeting between inmate Miktat Algül, 47, and an AleviDede from the Cem Foundation’s Ankara branch occurred on May 18 and marked a first in Turkey’s history. The move came after a new protocol between the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) and the…
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Alevis Worried as Houses Marked with Crosses in Turkey’s Kocaeli
Members of the Alevi community in Turkey’s northwestern province of Kocaeli have voiced concern after a number of their homes were allegedly marked with a cross by unknown people. Crosses marked with red paint were spotted on the outside walls and doors…
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European court hears Alevi demands to cover cemevi expenses
A total of 203 Alevis applied to the ECHR after their request for the provision of a religious public service was rejected by the Turkish state, with the applicants saying they had been discriminated against, unlike Turkey’s Sunni citizens. The applicants also…
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Armenian Church seeks to reclaim historic HQ from Turkey
Lawyers for the Armenian Church have started the groundwork for the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia to reclaim its historic headquarters in Turkey, from where they were forced to flee in 1921. The Catholicosate’s legal team filed a…
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Preliminary findings of Country Visit to Lebanon by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
Beirut, 2 April 2015 Today, I present my preliminary findings, i.e. some main observations to which I wish to draw your attention. This press statement is not to be confused with the final report. The official report will be presented…
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Turkey to have its first Alevi high school
Minister of National Education Nabi Avcı pointed out that the Dost Eli Assistance Education and Culture Foundation had contributed much to the starting of the construction of the Hacı Bektaş-I Veli Anatolian High School and said he is very happy…
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Historical synagogue in Turkey’s northwest to open soon
A historical synagogue, the subject of an outcry due to a governor’s remarks to turn it into a museum, is waiting to be reopened for services at the end of the month. The Great Synagogue, in the northwestern province of…
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