The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg sent a letter to the Turkish government on Thursday saying they should pay attention to a number of outstanding issues regarding religious minorities.

Observing that the Greek Orthodox Theological Seminary of Heybeliada (Halki) remains closed, the Commissioner reiterates his recommendation to allow its reopening and to remove restrictions on the training of clergy in the country, including Armenian clergy, says the statement available on Hammarberg’s official website.

Commissioner Hammarberg also expressed concerns over slow implementation by Turkey of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights concerning freedom of religion. “In 2007 the Court found a violation by Turkey with regard to religious instruction, as it failed to meet the requirements of objectivity and pluralism and to provide an appropriate method for ensuring respect for Alevi parents’ convictions. I raised this concern already in my 2009 report and I have now asked for more information on the measures taken or envisaged by the authorities to comply with the judgment”.

Finally the Commissioner calls for a solution to the issue of identity cards that contain an indication of religion, in accordance with the 2010 judgment of the Strasbourg Court, which condemned Turkey for violating the right to freedom of religion on account of the very fact that the applicant’s identity card contained an indication of religion.