World Evangelical Alliance challenges Turkey over expulsion of foreign Christians

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has asked Turkey to review the expulsion of dozens of foreign Christians. 

In a statement to the 45th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the WEA said 60 Protestant church members had been expelled or banned from Turkey. 

The WEA said that the incidents had all occurred within the past two years, leading to the Christians being "denied residency, arbitrarily and without due process", Evangelical Focus reports.

The WEA statement highlights the case of David Kandasamy, a Sri Lankan national who lived in Turkey for 20 years before being barred from re-entry. 

According to the WEA, he is married to a Turkish Christian, with whom he has four children who are all Turkish nationals. 

In another case, Andy and Cathryn Hoard were banned from re-entering the country after a short trip away.  The couple had lived in Turkey for 30 years.  

The WEA says Mrs Hoard "spent three days detained in a windowless immigration holding cell before being deported to the United Kingdom". 

"Spouses have been separated from their families. Expats were denied access to their property and investments that had previously been carefully investigated by Turkish authorities and received their full approval," the WEA said. 

"The authorities have given no explanation apart from telling these Christians that they constitute a threat to national security according to confidential government reports.

"Turkish authorities have denied the lawyers of these expats access to the confidential reports, and therefore, the authorities have offered no possibility for a fair and just appeal to review these orders in accordance with international law, namely article 13 of the ICCPR." 

It concluded with a call for "a fair and just recourse against national security decisions and for the examination of the facts behind such decisions".

News
Irish archbishops urge peace and reconciliation amid Drumcree stand-off
Irish archbishops urge peace and reconciliation amid Drumcree stand-off

Ireland’s Catholic and Church of Ireland archbishops have appealed for an “urgent” initiative to resolve the Drumcree parade dispute and asked Christians to pray for peace. 

Former priest Chris Brain convicted of rape as Church review set to begin
Former priest Chris Brain convicted of rape as Church review set to begin

Former Church of England priest Chris Brain has been convicted of rape and four counts of indecent assault following a retrial. 

Franklin Graham preaches with warning from Sodom in Manchester
Franklin Graham preaches with warning from Sodom in Manchester

Franklin Graham used the biblical story of Lot’s flight from Sodom to urge thousands in Manchester on Saturday night to seek forgiveness through Christ and accept His gift of salvation.

More than 4,200 Christians killed in Nigeria this year - report
More than 4,200 Christians killed in Nigeria this year - report

More than 4,200 Christians have been killed in Nigeria so far this year, according to a new report calling for stronger action to protect communities facing violence across the country’s Middle Belt.