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Assyrian Monastery St Gabriel in Turkey awaits an uncertain future

PRESS RELEASE: 17-02-2009

Assyrian Monastery St Gabriel in Turkey awaits an uncertain future

The St Gabriel Monastery, belonging to the Syrian Orthodox Church, has been dragged in a complex trial  regarding the land registrations in South Eastern Turkey. During the past weeks politicians and observers from different European countries attended the hearing on february 11, 2009 in the city of Midyat. The trial has been rescheduled once again.

Also politicians from the Netherlands such as the provincial parliamentarian for the Labour Party (PvdA), Ms Attiya Gamri,  and city council member for the Christian Democrats (CDA) Mr Sabri Gabriel went to Midyat in Tur Abdin. Their conclusion are: Provocations against the monastery, powerstruggle and unjustful claims of land properties of the Assyrian Christians in Turkey. This all happens under the watchfull eyes of the Turkish state.

It is clear that this is not just about the land or about the monastery, because also other villages are sharing the same fate. This political game has forced the Assyrians in South Eastern Turkey to give up a lot of land to their Muslim neighbours. Attiya Gamri and Sabri Gabriel have visited 7 Assyrian villages and all of them experience the same problems.

The conclusions of both politicians are that this case is part of a huge issue, namely that there are powers who wish to eliminate the remaining 3000 Christian Assyrians out of this region. These forces are sending a message to the indigenous Assyrians that they are not welcome anymore in their own country. This country, Turkey, does not recognize the Assyrians as an official minority, despite the fact that they have been inhabiting these regions long before the arrival of the Turks in todays Turkey.

Another remarkable thing is that there were no Turkish human rights organisations attending these trials and so far they have not dealed with this issue at all. However, many international organisations have as well as representatives of EU countries, such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Finland were present. The politicians of Holland, Sweden and France were to meet the governour of the neighbouring metropole Mardin, but unfortunately he cancelled his meeting with the european delegations.

If Turkey wishes to become member of the EU, we do expect Turkey to recognize the Assyrians as an indigenous minority, a people with their own language, culture and history that needs to be protected by the Turkish government. The more than 20.000 Assyrians living in the Netherlands are worried and will follow this trial closely.

Ms Attiya Gamri, Provincial Parliamentarian for the Labour Party (PvdA) – Overijssel

Mr Sabri Gabriel, city council member for the Christian Democrats (CDA) – Enschede