Lack of Religious Freedom In Turkey: The Case of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Most of us in the Counter Jihad Movement have grave concerns about the plight of non-Muslims in Muslim countries; not least because we fear that this is could be the shape of things to come for Europe as Islamisation continues. The lack of discussion on this important issue and attempts to close down or restrict debate or demonise those raising such issues further exacerbates such worries.
At the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw we have come across a specific organisation in Turkey, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, that would appear to be having particular difficulties with regard to their ability to practice their religion freely. The following facts are noted in their publicity booklet:
“The Turkish government imposes restrictions on the election of the Ecumenical Patriarch and Heirarchs who vote for him by requiring that they must be Turkish citizens. In Fact, the government arbitrarily can veto any candidate for the position of Ecumenical Patriarch.”
- “The Turksh government does not recognise the “Ecumenical” status of the Patriarch and Patriarchate.”
- “The Ecumenical Patriarchate has no legal identity or bona fide legal personality in Turkey.”
- “The Ecumenical Patriarchate is unable to train new clergy in Turkey and its theological school was forcibly closed down by the Turkish Government.”
- “The Turkish Government has confiscated thousands of properties from the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
These are all serious issues and must be resolved before Turkish entry into the European Union is even considered. If Turkey is regarded as one of the more progressive Muslim countries then what sort of restrictions are imposed on non-Muslims elsewhere in the Islamic world? These are issues that the Counter Jihad is concerned about and there is an urgent need for an open and honest public debate in all Western countries that are affected by Islamisation. Only then can fears be calmed and public policy making properly conceived. For Western Governments to pretend that these issues and concerns do not exist is irresponsible and their attempts to stifle debate on such issues is outrageous.
Documents presented to the 2009 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation meeting by the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is dedicated to the defense and protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
More information can be found at: www.archons.org
Sharia Watch UK