The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a statement Feb. 27 condemning the targeted expulsion of Christians from Turkey and urged the U.S. State Department to place the country on its Special Watch List for violations of religious freedom.
According to a Feb. 27 press release from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, Turkish authorities have issued internal security codes labeling foreign Christian missionaries a “threat to public order and security,” including those with no criminal record, effectively barring them from re-entering the country or renewing residence permits.
As Zeale News previously reported, the European Court of Human Rights has taken up 20 cases involving Christians who were designated national security threats and expelled from the country, according to the statement.
USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler said the expulsions are intended to suppress the Christian community and interfere with their ability to practice their faith.
“Türkiye’s arbitrary labeling of foreign-born Protestant Christians as national security threats is meant to intimidate the Christian community and prevent them from gathering for worship,” Hartzler said. “Everyone, regardless of residency status, has the right to freedom of religion or belief under international law.”
Kelsey Zorzi, director of Advocacy for Global Religious Freedom for ADF, also called on U.S. officials to defend religious liberty.
“We hope that the U.S. government and the international community will continue to stand up for this fundamental right.” Zorzi said, “and call on Türkiye to put an end to the targeted expulsions of Christian missionaries.”
Advocates say the cases reflect a broader pattern of discrimination against foreign Christians rather than isolated incidents, raising concerns about protections guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights.
The travel bans have even separated families from communities and left local churches without consistent leadership in a country with few Christians. The Turkish government has dismissed the claims, describing them as “unfounded allegations.”