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MRG Report: Forgotten or assimilated? Minorities in Turkey

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  • MRG Report: Forgotten or assimilated? Minorities in Turkey

    Launch of new MRG Report

    Forgotten or assimilated? Minorities in the education system of Turkey *


    The Turkish government must act to stop discrimination against minority
    children in schools which ignore their distinct culture, language, history
    and religion, says Minority Rights Group International (MRG) in a new
    report.

    In the report, which is the most up-to-date analysis of the subject
    available, minority communities accuse the education system in Turkey of
    working to assimilate them and promote Turkish identity and nationalism in a
    manner that denies the rights of minorities.

    Since the Turkish Republic was established in 1923, minorities have been
    perceived as a threat to the 'indivisible integrity of the state with its
    territory and nation' enshrined in the Turkish Constitution.

    Turkey recognizes only Armenians, Jews and Rums as minorities, and denies
    other minorities the right to open their own schools. No minority language
    can be used at public schools as the language of instruction.

    Nurcan Kaya, Minority Rights Group's Turkey Coordinator and author of the
    report, says, "Turkey has to change its minority policy and recognize the
    existence of diverse groups such as Assyrians, Kurds, Roma, Laz and
    Caucasians. It must guarantee their education rights and take affirmative
    action where necessary."


    Minority Rights Group International
    Invites you to the launch of the new report
    Date: 11.00 - 13.00, Monday 16 March 2009
    Light refreshments available
    Venue: EU Information Centre
    Mete Cd. Park Apt. No: 24 A
    Taksim 34437 Istanbul

    Speakers: Nurcan Kaya, MRG Turkey Coordinator and author of the report

    Mihalis Vasiliadis: Chief editor of Apoyevmatini

    Garo Paylan: Board member of Yesilkoy Armenian Primary School

    Sami Tan: President of the Istanbul Kurdish Institution

    Ali Kenanoglu: Vice President of the Alevi Bektasi Federation

    Muzaffer Iris: Member of Mesopotamia Culture and Solidarity Association

    (MEZODER)

    Serap Topcu - Member of the Law Commission, Cem Foundation

    RSVP

    Zuhat Efe
    MRG Turkey Project Officer
    Tel: +90 (0) 532 724 56 99
    E: [email protected]
    W: www.minorityrights.org

    _______________________


    * This report was prepared and published as part of a Project entitled
    'Combating discrimination and promoting minority rights in Turkey', with the
    financial support of the EU. The contents of the document are entirely the
    responsibility of MRG and in no way represent the views of the EU. For
    further information about the EU, please visit the official website of the
    Union: http://europa.eu/index_en.htm
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