WRITTEN QUESTION E-1947/01 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Turkey's restrictions on Assyrians/members of the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Date: 2001-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Türkiye, accession criteria, protection of minorities, religious discrimination, religious group

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/229

professional activities falls under the responsibility of Member States. The Commission is, however,
working on the improvement of Community legislation in the field of mutual recognition of professional
qualifications in general. In June 2001, the Commission launched a public consultation to prepare for
a new Directive in this field (1). The Commission has a proposal for a more uniform, transparent and
flexible regime for professional recognition programmed for adoption before the Spring European Council
in 2002.

(1) European Commission Staff Working Paper on The Future Regime for Professional Recognition (May 2001).

(2001/C 364 E/251)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1947/01

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(3 July 2001)

Subject: Turkey(cid:146)s restrictions on Assyrians/members of the Syriac Orthodox Church

The detention and prosecution of the Syriac Orthodox priest Yusuf Akbulut evoked much comment
internationally, and it was thanks to this attention that he was ultimately acquitted. The Turkish State
presumably felt compelled to backtrack and instruct the Diyarbakir State Security Court to acquit Akbulut.

The Turkish State seems to have responded with resentment to having been compelled to backtrack in the
case of Yusuf Akbulut and to the otherwise growing pressure on Turkey to introduce changes. Now the
Turkish State has taken its revenge.

The Turkish Interior Ministry has issued a decree imposing far-reaching restrictions on all Assyrians/
adherents of the Syriac Orthodox faith from Europe who wish to visit their ancestors(cid:146) villages in south-
eastern Turkey. Many young people who are now in search of their identity and have not been able to visit
their ancestral villages because of the war in south-eastern Turkey are now prohibited by this decree from
exploring their families(cid:146) roots and their cultural heritage. Turkey is continuing its systematic destruction of
the Assyrian/Syriac Orthodox cultural heritage. Churches and monasteries, many of them more than
a thousand years old, have been converted into mosques or barns for livestock. Turkey is trying to conceal
its barbaric action by means of the decree.

How will the Commission induce Turkey to cease its constant harassment of Assyrians/adherents of the
Syriac Orthodox faith?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2001)

The protection of minorities including the freedom of religion is part of the Copenhagen political criteria to
be fulfilled by candidate countries. Ensuring cultural diversity and guaranteeing cultural rights for all
citizens irrespective of their origin is a medium-term priority listed in the Accession Partnership for
Turkey (1). The Commission follows closely the situation of religious minorities in Turkey. It is with some
concern that the Commission has been informed of the recent cases of mistreatment and discriminations
against Syriac Orthodox willing to return to their home villages.

In this context, it is to be hoped that the adoption on 12 June 2001 by the Prime Minister of a circular
instructing all relevant authorities to ban any discriminatory practice against Syriac Orthodox will
contribute to improve the situation.

The Commission will give its evaluation of the situation in its Regular Report to be published in November
2001.

(1) Adopted by the Council on 8 March 2001 (OJ L 85, 24.3.2001).