Turkey has been accused of expelling numerous peaceful Christians, including dozens last year, under the pretense of “national security.” Legal advocates have characterized this action as an “assault” on religious freedom.
During a Monday address to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Lidia Rieder, a legal expert for the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, asserted that Turkey is systematically expelling individuals solely “for practicing their faith.”
“Turkey’s designation of peaceful Christian residents as ‘security threats’ constitutes a clear abuse of law and an attack on freedom of religion or belief,” Rieder stated at the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference. “When governments manipulate administrative or immigration systems to exclude people based solely on their faith, it compromises both the rule of law and the fundamental principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence that the OSCE was established to safeguard.”
ADF reported that since 2020, a substantial number of Christians and their family members have been deported from Turkey, with at least 35 such cases occurring between December 2024 and January 2025.
According to the international watchdog, Turkey’s Ministry of Interior has assigned “security codes,” such as N-82 and G-87, to individuals targeted by Ankara. These codes effectively bar them from re-entering the country by classifying them as national security threats.
Rieder also highlighted the “landmark case” of Wiest v. Turkey to the OSCE conference, which is currently before the European Court of Human Rights and is “anticipated to establish a crucial precedent for the protection of religious freedom in Europe and beyond.”
Kenneth Wiest, a U.S. citizen and Protestant, was born, raised, and legally resided in Turkey with his wife and three children for over 30 years. However, he was banned from the country in 2019 upon returning from a trip, “without evidence of wrongdoing.”
His situation represents the latest in what is increasingly perceived as discriminatory policies targeting religious minorities since a particular President assumed office more than a decade ago.
In a statement to Digital, Rieder noted that the Turkish delegation at the OSCE conference “itself acknowledged that discrimination against Christians is increasing across the OSCE region and beyond,” a point she deemed “notable.”
“While Turkey emphasized its commitment to fostering tolerance through international cooperation, these same principles must be upheld within its own borders,” she remarked. “The situation on the ground remains deeply troubling for many individuals, families, and communities who continue to face restrictions on worship, deportations, and impediments to religious education.”
“Turkey’s call to hear the voices of victims and to respect fundamental freedoms for all must now be translated into concrete action,” Rieder added.
The Turkish embassy in D.C. did not directly respond to Digital’s inquiries but referred to a statement issued Wednesday by Ankara’s Office of Communications Center for Countering Disinformation. This statement dismissed the allegations raised by ADF International, labeling them “completely unfounded and part of a deliberate disinformation campaign.”
The office highlighted the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities that have historically co-existed and affirmed Turkey’s commitment to “protecting” and “restoring” places of worship.
“Respect for faiths and pluralism are essential components of our country’s democratic order,” the statement read. “Turkey, like any other sovereign state, reserves the right to make administrative decisions concerning foreign nationals for various reasons, including visa infringements, disruption of public order, or lacking proper legal permits.”
The communications department asserted that no visa-related decisions have been made based on “identity or affiliation.”
The statement did not directly address the case involving Wiest.
“Freedom of religion cannot exist if believers live under the threat of expulsion for practicing their faith,” Rieder asserted. “The OSCE and its participating States have pledged to champion tolerance and non-discrimination. These commitments must be honored not only in rhetoric but through action.”
The OSCE did not immediately respond to Digital’s questions regarding the steps it intends to take to address the escalating concerns of religious persecution in Turkey.