Question for written answer E-006996/2012 to the Commission Rule 117 Werner Langen (PPE)

Subject: 's treatment of non-Muslim minorities

The Syriac Orthodox of Mor Gabriel was founded in 397 and is one of the most ancient of all Christian . It lies in Province in south-eastern Turkey, not far from the Syrian border.

The monastery plays a crucial role in preserving the Syriac Orthodox liturgical and everyday language and as an institution also represents the cultural heritage of the Syriac Orthodox population.

On 13 June 2012, after a year-long legal battle between the Mor Gabriel monastery and the Turkish Treasury concerning ownership of land around the monastery, the Court of Cassation in Ankara ruled against the monastery. At first instance, a court had found in favour of Mor Gabriel, which had been able to substantiate its claims to the land by showing that it had paid taxes on it since the 1930s. The Court of Appeal, however, took no account of the proof of tax payments, with the result that around 28 hectares of land were awarded to the Turkish State. It can be assumed that this ruling was politically motivated, and the monastery is now obliged to enlist international aid in its fight to hold on to the land it is threatened with losing under the expropriation proceedings.

Loss of this land will pose a major threat to the continued existence of Syriac Orthodox Christian culture in Turkey. This raises the issue of whether this situation is compatible with respect for international agreements on freedom of religion and on human rights and minority rights.

1. Is the Commission aware of the current situation in this case?

2. If so, is it monitoring developments in Turkey's treatment of non-Muslim minorities to ensure that they remain compatible with EU standards, in particular on human rights and the Copenhagen Criteria?

3. What conclusions will the Commission draw from the continuing stringent restrictions on religious freedom in Turkey for the accession talks with that country?

909291.EN PE 493.822