Written question asked by Bishop of Southwark (Bishops (affiliation)) on Wednesday, 28 June 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 July 2017. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 July 2017 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Turkey: Christianity

Question: Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent reports that the Turkish Governor of Mardin has confiscated some 60 properties, including churches, monasteries and cemeteries.

Answer: Our understanding of the situation is that legal changes to local government structures in Mardin, where many important Assyrian religious sites are found, resulted in 2012 in the transfer of the title deeds to some religious sites from local bodies to central government, and eventually to the Government's Directorate for Religious Affairs. Assyrian organisations are making legal appeals against these decisions. The British Embassy in Ankara will be closely following this process. We strongly support religious freedom in Turkey and have supported civil society organisations working in this area.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL236
Session: 2017-19
Subjects: Cemeteries Churches Religious freedom Turkey Christianity Religious orders
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk