Country of origin information report Turkey March 2007

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Greeks

19.61 The USSD Report on International Religious Freedom 2006 estimates that there are fewer than 2,500 Greek Orthodox Christians in Turkey. [5e] (Section 1) The World Directory of Minorities (1997) states that “There are probably 3,000 ageing Greek Christians, mainly in Istanbul, the residue of 80,000 still there in 1963. Formal expulsions police harassment and a climate of fear and popular animosity have since then reduced the community to its present number.” [57a] (p381)
19.62 As noted in the EC 2006 report, “The Greek minority continues to encounter problems. These are particularly related to education and property rights. The Greek minority properties on the island of Gökçeada (Imvros) and Bozcaada (Tenedos) are under threat of confiscation and tender by the Turkish authorities.” [71a] (p21)
19.63 The EC 2006 report further noted that, “The June 2005 ruling by the Council of State narrowing the scope for the Directorate General for Foundations to take over the management of foundations was not applied during the reporting period. In this respect, no progress can be reported on the Büyükada Greek Girls’ and Boys’ Orphanage, whose management remains under the control of the DG foundations.” [71a] (p16)
Roma
19.64 A 2005 European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI): Third report on Turkey (adopted on 25 June 2004 and made public on 15 February 2005), noted that:
“ECRI is concerned to learn that the situation of the Roma in Turkey remains largely unchanged. The authorities have not, it appears, carried out any research to determine the actual situation of the Roma in Turkey and official information on this subject is lacking. According to the European Roma Rights Center, however, the Roma communities in Turkey experience major difficulties due to social exclusion. They encounter discrimination in employment, housing and access to public places. They live in difficult conditions in camps from which they are often forcibly evicted without being offered alternative accommodation. There is inequality of opportunity in terms of access to health care, employment and also education, in that parents often cannot afford to send their children to school.” [76] (p15 )
19.65 As recorded in the EC 2005 report the Roma population is estimated between 500,000 and 2,000,000. [71d] (p37)
19.66 The EC 2006 report noted that:
“As concerns the Roma, amendments to the Law on Settlement adopted in September 2006 repealed discriminatory provisions against the Roma. However, discriminatory provisions remain in the Law on Movements and residence of aliens. Recent research by the Bilgi University suggests the Roma population in Turkey is around two million. Roma experience discriminatory treatment in access to adequate housing, education, health and employment. There are frequent forced evictions. Urban regeneration projects of historical districts have led to displacing Roma population residing in those districts (i.e. Ankara-Çinçin, Zonguldak-Ere, Istanbul-Sulukule). During the reporting period more Roma-led advocacy organisations and two Roma Federations were established. Several NGO projects were carried out aimed at capacity building of Roma organisations and establishing a clearer picture of the problems they encounter. Overall, Turkey made little progress on ensuring cultural diversity and promoting respect for and protection of minorities in accordance with international standards.” [71a] (p23)