The Justice and Development Party's policies towards non-Muslim minorities in Turkey

• Published in: Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern studies Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 23 - 40
• Main Author: Ali Soner, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01-03-2010
• Subjects: Freedom; Islam; Justice; Minority Groups; Minority status; Policy analysis; Political conditions; Political Parties; Property Rights; Religion and politics; Religious minorities; Treaties; Turkey
• ISSN: 1944-8953; 1944-8961
• DOI: 10.1080/19448950903507347

After describing the Turkish Justice & Development Party's (JDP's) political position, its policies are assessed vis-a-vis the current circumstances of non-Muslims. At issue is determining the degree to which the JDP government has departed from traditional Turkish policies toward minorities & accommodated minority claims on the basis of contemporary principles & practices of universal rights & liberties. The legal-political roots of minority problems are traced since the Treaty of Lausanne, & the JDP's discursive & policy practices regarding non-Muslims are examined, highlighting non-Muslim educational, religious, & organizational issues. Attention is given to minority issue securitization, minority community foundation property rights, & the issue of the Greek-Orthodox Seminary of Halki. Adapted from the source document.