Turkey Rejects Claims of Foreign Christian Deportations as ‘Disinformation’

Türkiye rejects claims of deporting foreign Christians as the country’s Directorate of Communications’ Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) issued a strong denial against allegations circulating in international media.

The Turkish agency declared that reports suggesting the country had deported foreign Christians by labeling them as “national security threats” were “completely baseless and part of a deliberate disinformation campaign targeting Türkiye.”

In its statement, the DMM emphasized that Türkiye has a centuries-old tradition of religious tolerance and pluralism, describing the nation as “the heir to a civilization rooted in tolerance, mutual respect, and coexistence.”

“The Republic of Türkiye has enshrined freedom of religion and conscience in its Constitution and has never allowed any of its citizens to face discrimination based on faith or form of worship,” the agency stated, highlighting the constitutional protections in place for religious freedom.

The controversy comes amid growing international scrutiny of religious freedom issues globally. Several human rights organizations have recently published reports examining the treatment of religious minorities across various countries, though these specific allegations against Türkiye appear to be contested by the government.

Türkiye’s religious landscape is predominantly Muslim, with approximately 99% of the population identifying as such, but the country is also home to various religious minorities, including Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and other faith communities. These groups, while small in number, represent an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.

The DMM pointed to Türkiye’s historical record of religious coexistence, noting that “throughout history, mosques, churches, and synagogues have coexisted on these lands, with Muslim, Christian, and Jewish citizens sharing a common culture of life.”

The statement also highlighted ongoing governmental efforts to preserve religious sites belonging to various faiths. According to the DMM, significant resources have been dedicated to “protect, restore, and reopen places of worship belonging to different faith communities,” specifically mentioning the restoration of “many churches and monasteries affiliated with Christian congregations.”

This preservation work represents a notable investment in maintaining the country’s diverse religious heritage, particularly as many historic religious sites in the region face threats from development, neglect, or conflict.

Addressing the specific allegations of deportations, the DMM acknowledged that Türkiye, like all sovereign states, maintains the right to make administrative decisions regarding foreign nationals. These decisions may include deportations in cases involving visa violations, public order issues, or lack of proper legal residence documentation.

However, the agency firmly stated that such actions “are never carried out on the basis of religious identity or affiliation, but solely within the framework of legal regulations.” This distinction emphasizes that any deportations would be based on legal grounds rather than religious discrimination.

The controversy touches on broader regional dynamics concerning religious minorities in the Middle East, where Christian communities have faced varying challenges in different countries. Türkiye has often positioned itself as a protector of religious pluralism in contrast to some neighboring states where religious minorities have experienced more severe persecution.

The DMM concluded its statement by asserting that “no disinformation campaign targeting Türkiye’s tradition of religious freedom, pluralism, and social peace would succeed,” indicating the government’s resolve to counter what it views as false allegations aimed at damaging the country’s international reputation.

As this situation develops, international observers will likely continue to monitor religious freedom issues in Türkiye and throughout the region, assessing whether government policies align with stated commitments to religious tolerance and pluralism.