World Evangelical Alliance challenges Turkey over expulsion of foreign Christians

Istanbul (Photo: Unsplash/Luke Michael)

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
Iran conflict could open doors for the Gospel, says mission agency
Iran conflict could open doors for the Gospel, says mission agency

EEM is also calling for prayers for those impacted by the conflict.

War disrupts Holy Week in Jerusalem
War disrupts Holy Week in Jerusalem

The impact of the escalating conflict in the Middle East region is being felt keenly in Jerusalem.

Thousands gather for installation of Sarah Mullally as 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
Thousands gather for installation of Sarah Mullally as 106th Archbishop of Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally has been formally installed today as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to hold the role in the Church of England’s 1,400-year history.

Church leaders condemn antisemitic ambulance attack
Church leaders condemn antisemitic ambulance attack

Christian leaders have been united in their condemnation of a firebomb attack on four ambulances operated by a Jewish charity.