The physically challenged Armenian journalist Cevat Sinet, who lives in Turkey’s Batman Province, has filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), since he could not protect his rights and dignity in Turkey.     

On September 21, 2010, Sinet had applied to for a disability card, but he was denied. “You are Armenian, it is written ‘Christian’ on your identity card. We cannot give you a disability card,” the Batman Social Service’s civil servant had told and subsequently insulted him.      

Next, Cevat Sinet applied to the Human Rights Union, and, with the latter’s assistance, a lawsuit was filed against the civil servant, but the prosecutor’s office ruled against the case.   

And after unsuccessfully exhausting all of Turkey’s judicial instances, to restore his rights, Sinet finally petitioned to ECHR.

“I applied to ECHR for insulting me, for mocking my religion, and for debasing me,” the Armenian journalist stated.