European Parliament Urges Turkey to End Expulsions of Foreign Christians and Journalists
Lawmakers condemn what they call targeted deportations on national security grounds, with 514 MEPs voting in favor of resolution demanding protections for religious minorities and press freedom
The European Parliament on Thursday condemned what it called Turkey’s targeted expulsions of foreign Christians and foreign journalists on national security grounds and urged Ankara to stop using administrative measures that bar some people from entering or re-entering the country.
Overwhelming Vote in Brussels
Lawmakers adopted a nonbinding resolution by an overwhelming majority, with 514 votes in favor, three against, and 56 abstentions, according to a European Parliament press release.
The text called on Turkey to end what it described as judicial and administrative harassment of foreign journalists. It also urged Turkish authorities to stop using administrative codes to flag at least 300 foreign Christians as national security threats and to allow people who were expelled to return.
Legal Cases Mount at European Court
The Alliance Defending Freedom International, a Christian advocacy group, said this month the European Court of Human Rights has communicated 20 cases brought by Christians who say Turkey effectively barred them from re-entering for reasons tied to their faith.
A US government watchdog report last year said there were national security bans on foreign national Protestant clergy who had legally lived in Turkey, according to an AFP report.
Turkey’s Response
Turkey has denied the accusations. The Turkish presidency’s counter-disinformation center previously described claims that foreign Christians were deported after being assessed as national security threats as baseless and part of a disinformation campaign targeting Turkey.
Journalists Also Targeted
Turkey has also targeted foreign reporters with criminal cases and deportations in recent years, including the expulsion of BBC journalist Mark Lowen in March 2025 after he reported from İstanbul, according to press freedom groups and other reports.
Strained EU-Turkey Relations
Turkey’s ties with the European Union have been strained for years over issues including concerns in Brussels about democratic backsliding. The relationship is also shaped by disputes in the eastern Mediterranean, along with cooperation on trade and migration, with talks on modernizing the EU-Turkey customs union repeatedly raised as an area of mutual interest.
“Freedom of speech and journalism are protected by international and European laws. Turkey as a strategic partner of the EU and member of NATO should respect the fundamental rights of journalists and stop to have judicial and administrative threats towards foreign journalists, mainly the Iranian journalist Kaveh Taheri and the Swedish journalist Joakim Medin.”
“Christian minorities and religious freedom are also targeted by the Turkish authorities who banned 300 foreign Christians considered as threats to national security, which results in their expulsions and bans on returning. The EU should act to protect free journalism and religious freedom and use all its means to put pressure to protect journalists and Christian minorities.”
Key Demands from European Parliament
• End judicial and administrative harassment of foreign journalists
• Stop flagging foreign Christians as national security threats
• Allow expelled individuals to return to Turkey
• Respect fundamental rights in line with EU partnership and NATO membership
The resolution marks a significant escalation in European parliamentary pressure on Turkey regarding religious freedom and press freedoms, though the nonbinding nature of the vote means implementation depends on diplomatic negotiations between Brussels and Ankara.
About The Author
Discover more from Faith & Freedom News - FFN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
