Foreign Christians Face Expulsions Amid National Security Concerns in Turkey
In a move that has drawn international attention, Turkey has been deporting foreign Christians and blocking their return, citing national security threats. This development has raised concerns among religious communities and advocates globally.
At a recent Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe conference in Warsaw, Lidia Rieder of ADF International highlighted the use of internal security codes that have effectively removed Protestant leaders from their congregations. These codes, N-82 and G-87, have led to the expulsion of approximately 350 individuals since 2020, according to ADF International.
The Ministry of Interior employs these codes to deny entry or residence permits without accusations or evidence of criminal activity. This has affected Christians from various nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Korea, many of whom had long-term residence in Turkey without any criminal records.
The situation escalated with a June 8 decision from Turkey’s Constitutional Court, which upheld the expulsion of nine foreign Christians. Following the ruling, their names were publicized, leading to widespread media labeling them as threats. This has spurred a wave of violent rhetoric online.
From late 2024 to early 2025, at least 35 new security codes were issued, impacting individuals with decades-long ties to Turkey. Such measures have disrupted religious communities, which often depend heavily on foreign pastors for leadership.
The case of Wiest v. Türkiye, currently before the European Court of Human Rights, exemplifies the impact of these policies. The case involves a U.S. citizen with a 30-year legal residency in Turkey who was barred from returning. ADF International is actively supporting over 30 legal cases related to these expulsions both within Turkey and at the European level.
Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, challenges persist for Christians and local churches in Turkey. The historic Halki Seminary remains closed, and Protestant seminaries lack legal recognition while Islamic theological education continues under state supervision. Moreover, congregations, such as those in Bursa, have been denied access to worship spaces.
The 2024 Human Rights Violation Report by the Association of Protestant Churches details increasing hate speech and violence against Christians. Incidents include an armed attack on the Salvation Church in Çekmeköy and a shooting at the Eskişehir Salvation Church building.
Additional reports of vandalism in Kayseri, Bahçelievler, and İzmir further illustrate the growing tension. Christians have faced challenges such as denied permissions for public events and harassment through social media, underscoring the difficulties faced by religious minorities in Turkey today.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
