Content tagged with minorities in Turkey

A document dated 1942, which became accessible last year, has once again exposed the official policies targeting minorities in Turkey. In the document, sent by the Ministry of National Defense to the Prime Ministry for distribution to relevant units, officials are instructed to be cautious when responding to applicants who are denied admission to military schools due to their "race." The instruction states: “If a negative response must be given, cite mild health-related or administrative reasons such as the school’s lack of available capacity, and do not mention race.”

In Istanbul, two Greek Orthodox clergymen serving on the board of directors of minority foundations had been dismissed by the General Directorate of Foundations (VGM) on the grounds of their clerical status. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that this decision lacked any clear basis in law.

HDP Istanbul MP Garo Paylan brought the impunity of the hate crimes against the minority groups to the parliamentary agenda.

A document in the appendix of the indictment prepared for Hrant Dink case revealed the fact MİT (intelligence agency of Turkey) was monitoring Armenians, Greeks and other non-Muslim communities under the title of “Ethnic Separatist Activities”.

Turkish Ministry of Education (MEB) reminded the Armenian question with two questions in high school entrance exam.

The Greeks will hold a memorial ceremony in Istanbul on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of September 6-7 Pogrom. On September 6, Yeniköy Panagia Greek Orthodox Church and School Foundation will hold a memorial ceremony at the church for the ones who lost their lives during the pogrom.