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: zuhat.efe@mrgmail.org
W:

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* 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: