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Turkey: new law calls for return of confiscated religious property


Halkim Seminary

Halkim Seminary

The Turkish government has published a decree concerning property confiscated from officially recognised non-Muslim religious groups - specifically, the Jewish, Armenian and Greek Orthodox communities.

The decree, issued on 27 August, has four main provisions. First, the restitution of property registered in 1936 and subsequently confiscated. Second, the return of the management of cemeteries. Third, the restitution of deeded properties, such as monasteries and schools, which were never recognized by the authorities as religious sites. Fourth, just financial compensation in cases where property has been sold, demolished or disposed of by Turkish state parties. There is a one year period for claims to be submitted.

This is a positive development and has been welcomed by Turkish Christians. However, there are significant limitations.

For example, this decree only applies to properties confiscated after 1936 when trusts were called to list their assets. A significant proportion of property belonging to Armenian Christian groups were lost before this time and so are not covered by the decree.

In addition, a number of confiscated properties have been given away by the Turkish state. The wording of the decree excludes payment of compensation in cases where the State did not benefit financially.

Asia News quotes the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I as expressing his delight at the news and his hope that the theological school of Halkim, which was forcibly closed in 1971, will be returned and reopened. Not being allowed to operate a seminary within the country has caused a number of serious challenges.

Middle East Concern says that Turkish Christians are welcoming the development and hope it signals further improvement to religious freedom in Turkey.

Source: MEC

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