Towards the 2023 Elections: How Do Political Parties Address Freedom of Thought, Religion or Belief?

According to the analysis on human rights, secularism, freedom of religion and conscience, public religious services, minorities and hate crimes, "Political parties' commitments on human rights or freedom of religion or belief do not play a significant role in the elections."

The analysis focuses on the Justice and Development Party, the Republican People's Party, the Peoples' Democratic Party, the Nationalist Movement Party, the Good Party, the Workers' Party of Turkey, the Democratic Party, the Homeland Party, the Felicity Party, the Democracy and Progress Party, and the Green and the Left Future Party, which will enter the elections.

Featured findings 

• Party programs need to strengthen their commitment to the human rights treaties to which Turkey is a party.
• The commitment to implement United Nations and Council of Europe resolutions, opinions and recommendations to improve human rights in Turkey is far from a mainstream commitment.
• There is a continued need for a human rights-oriented framework that analyzes in a holistic manner how to address secularism, freedom of religion or belief, minorities, cults and other challenges facing Turkey in this area.
• The programs do not present solutions for strengthening the protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief in the field of education, which are the result of a thorough assessment
• The right to conscientious objection to military service is not included as part of freedom of religion or belief in most party programs;
• The goal of change in line with the general demands of Alevis is included in the programs of many parties.
• Proposals for solutions to hate crimes also need to be addressed in more detail in party programs
• With the exception of the AKP and MHP, other parties seem to be aiming for a change towards transforming the Presidency of Religious Affairs into a more neutral and inclusive institution.