Turkey: Religious Freedom

Lord Patten
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following the murder of a Roman Catholic priest at Trabzon, Turkey in February, and later attacks involving stabbings on two more, what representations they have made to the Government of Turkey concerning the safety of the remaining 31 clergy and the freedom to practise the Roman Catholic religion.[HL7447]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman)
The Government are saddened by attacks on clergy in Turkey as they are by attacks on peaceful clerics of any denomination in any country. We have made no formal representations about this matter and commend the Turkish Government for the speed with which they apprehended a suspect in this case. In the context of Turkey's EU accession, we continue to underline the importance of enhancing and protecting the rights of religious minorities in Turkey.