ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s high court decided June 7 that the government’s expulsion of nine foreign Christians did not violate the individuals’ rights.
The government had issued to the nine — who were in the country legally — the “N-82” immigration code, which does not allow them to stay in Turkey nor return to it, states Alliance Defending Freedom International. The code essentially deems them “risks to national security.”
The nine can appeal the court decision to the European Convention on Human Rights.
ADF International says that since 2018, an estimated 185 foreign Protestant ministers living in Turkey either have been made to leave or are prohibited from reentering the country.
The decision to deport or ban Christian ministers generally results from Turkish intelligence claiming the individuals threaten national security. The information used to make the decision is withheld from each individual, explains ADF International.
Turkey is almost totally Muslim. Its Christian population numbers about 170,000.
ADF International states that Turkey has closed Protestant seminaries.
ADF International has supported the legal challenges of the nine Christians as well as others who have faced similar situations.
Turkey is No. 50 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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