Turkish minorities deny claims of being victimized

By Gulsum Incekaya and Selin Calik Muhasilovic

ISTANBUL

People of minority communities in Turkey are treated as respectfully as any other Turkish citizen, said a minority community representative.

“We belong to this land. Our young people may go abroad for the purpose of making career or education […] Wherever they go, they feel being Turkish,” Moris Levi told Anadolu Agency.

"Obviously, the lands we live on has cultivated cultural diversity. For instance; The Jews lived peacefully during the Ottoman period," he said, recalling that there were special rules that protected the minorities during the period.

Ivo Molinas, editor of Jewish weekly newspaper in Turkey, noted that his ancestors came to Istanbul 1,400 years ago and said he has never faced any problem while practicing his religion in Turkey.

He also recalled the religious freedom during the Ottoman period.

Representatives of minority communities on Tuesday denied allegations that they were being victimized in Turkey.

In a joint declaration, Turkey's minority community representatives -- including followers of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian churches -- said that people of different faiths live "freely" in the country.

"We as religious representatives and foundation directors of societies of different religions and beliefs, who have been settled in this country for centuries, are free to follow our beliefs and practices,” the declaration reads.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday also said that Turkey had no problems with religious minorities in the country.