The aim of the project is to improve respect and protection of FORB in Turkey. Monitoring, documentation, reporting, policy recommendations and advocacy are key activities of the project.
The monitoring part of the project entails observation, recording and collection of sound, credible and precise information on violations of the right to FORB. The information will be used to analyze the situation by observing patterns, identifying problems, understanding their causes and considering potential solutions. A simultaneous tracking of key relevant domestic legislative developments is also a part of the project. Twice a year, reporting both in Turkish and English will provide for the dissemination of relevant information for relevant parties. The second report will be the more elaborate, including analysis of the facts.
Follow-up advocacy activities will constitute an integral part of the work of improving the protection of FORB in Turkey. It will include seeking corrective action by national authorities by bringing individual cases to the attention of relevant authorities or by developing policy recommendations. The follow-up activities will be carried out in coordination and cooperation with existing actors.
The project will utilize a human rights based approach to monitoring and reporting based on the internationally accepted human rights standards on FORB – in particular the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.
The website http://inancozgurlugugirisimi.org (freedom of belief initiative, İÖG) is the main communication outlet of the project. The website will function as a comprehensive resource for FORB issues in Turkey. It will include up-to-date news on FORB, legislative developments impacting the protection of freedom of religion or belief, relevant European Court of Human Rights judgments, reports, opinions and policy recommendations produced by the İÖG as well as reports published by national and international organizations and faith groups on FORB in Turkey.
Cooperation with domestic religious groups, faith based organizations and human rights organizations will be actively sought to create synergies. The NHC/IÖG aims at developing contacts and building networks to enhance national capacities to promote FORB.
An annual roundtable meeting with academic experts and human rights defenders will serve to reinforce cooperation among the participants and cultivate their interest in FORB and provide them the opportunity to develop policies for furthering the protection of FORB based on the information provided by the monitoring reports of İÖG. The project is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The NHC Freedom of Religion or Belief in Turkey project is headed by Mine Yildirim, working from Istanbul. Her e-mail: [email protected]; Mobile: + 90 05333382961.
Gunnar M. Ekeløve-Slydal, Deputy Secretary General, has an oversight role for the project. His e-mail: [email protected]; mobile: +47 95210307.