‘EU Overlooks Violations Related to Muslims’

Ayhan Bilgne, Head of Solidarity for the Aggrieved and Human Rights Association (MAZLUMDER), points out that the problems on freedom of religion for Muslims are not discussed in the EU progress report. He demanded yesterday that the following progress report, expected to be released in September, take up the issue.

"The report mostly discusses the legal obstructions of the non-Muslim religious communities, but neither the 2002 nor 2003 progress reports discuss Muslims’ freedom of religion, especially in regards to the headscarf," indicated Bilgne.

Bilgen reminded that a great deal of attention would be paid to the National Program reforms that guarantee and reinforce the regulations on minority protection, human rights, democracy, basic rights and liberties as well as the supremacy of law. The aim of the National Program is to harmonize with the EU Acquis Communitaire. The insurance and provision of the freedom of religion are among the preferential objectives in the EU Accession Partnership Document and National Program.

The 2002 progress report emphasizes that religious communities have no legal entity or property rights in Turkey. The communities are also prevented from training clergy. However, neither of the reports of the past two years draws attention to the problems faced by the Muslim community.

Bilgen added, "While the religious foundations and congregations are touched upon, the report does not deal with the concrete violations experienced by Muslims."