ECHR fines Turkey for violating Alevis' right to religious freedom

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has found Turkey guilty of violating the right to religious freedom of Alevis and discriminating against them by withholding public funds for Alevi worship houses "with no objective and reasonable justification." As a result of the verdict, Turkey has been ordered to pay 3,000 euros in damages to each of the 203 applicants.

"The assessment made by the domestic authorities of the Alevi faith equates in particular to a refusal to recognize the religious nature of that faith. This also has numerous consequences liable to adversely affect, among other matters, the organization and continuation of the religious activities of the Alevi faith and their funding," the ECHR ruled, adding that refusing the applicants' claims amounted to denying the religious nature of the Alevi faith on the part of the state and "constituted an interference with the applicants' right to freedom of religion as guaranteed by Article 9 § 1 of the Convention." 

Twelve of the ECHR's 17 judges held that the case constituted a violation of Article 9, which protects religious freedoms, while 16 said there had been a violation of Article 14, which calls for the securing of rights and freedoms without discrimination on any grounds. 

The case was brought before the ECHR on August 2010 by 203 Turkish nationals, led by ?zzettin Do?an. The applicants argued that the Turkish state favored the Sunni Muslims, who make up a majority of Turkish citizens, over Alevis, as it refused to provide religious public services to the latter. 

The applicants maintained that the refusal resulted from a negative "assessment" of their faith by state authorities and implied a breach of the state's neutrality and impartiality in the face of different...