Turkey's international human rights obligations and domestic legislation require comprehensive protection for freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. However, the report states that people who have beliefs different from the ‘mainstream’ or who do not believe can face serious interference with their human rights in many areas of life. The prominent findings of the report are as follows;
Freedom to (not) believe is ignored
People who adopt views such as atheism and agnosticism, who believe differently from mainstream religious teaching, or who convert to a religion other than Islam may be subject to discrimination, stigmatisation, social pressure or restrictions on their human rights. The religion section in civil registration records violates the right not to declare one's religion. Although the principle of secularism is strongly enshrined in the Constitution, the state is widely and deeply involved in matters concerning both Islam and other religions or beliefs.
The right to exemption from religious education is not recognised
The compulsory religious culture and ethics classes systematically violate freedom of religion or belief. In addition, the ‘I am sensitive to my environment, I care for my values’ (ÇEDES) project and MoNE's cooperation with religious foundations need to be evaluated in line with the principles of pluralism and impartiality and human rights. Public resources are predominantly allocated to education and training activities centred on the Islamic religion, thereby undermining the state's obligation to observe the principles of equality and impartiality vis-à-vis all religions and beliefs.
Individuals may be subjected to coercion and interference
The freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief of one's own choice and not to be subjected to coercion that would undermine this freedom is an absolute right. However, it can be subjected to interference within public institutions, family and religion or belief groups. The testimonies of vulnerable groups such as women, children and young people are particularly striking in this regard. The prevalence of cases of religious coercion and violence resulting in coercion points to structural deficiencies in society and institutions in terms of the development of respect for individual will, accountability, transparency and the regulation and control of environments that provide the basis for coercion.
The report states that fundamental changes are necessary to protect everyone's freedom of belief and emphasises that national legislation and practice on freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression should be brought into line with international human rights law. It was also stated that arrangements should be made in the education system to support children's freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
