Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • The Power of a Backpack: A Short Film by FOCUS
    • OCMC Board of Directors Appoints Dr. Nathan Hoppe as New Executive Director
    • Suprasl: Enhancing the Awareness of Unity – July 2025 Newsletter
    • Video: A Vision for Orthodox Christianity’s Future in North America
    • Another Attempt to Break the Silence: Why Orthodox Christians in America Must Stand with the Persecuted in Russia
    • Assembly of Bishops Newsletter – Q1 2025
    • Opinion: The Theological School’s Experiments
    • New Icon of All Saints of North America to Debut at 21st All-American Council
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Orthodox News»Legal Entities of Non-Muslims: “Problems and Rights”

    Legal Entities of Non-Muslims: “Problems and Rights”

    0
    By Webmaster on February 7, 2014 Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link
    Archons attend Istanbul Conference on Legal Entities of Non-Muslims: “Problems and Rights”
    Archons attend Istanbul Conference on Legal Entities of Non-Muslims: “Problems and Rights”

    Source: Order of St Andrew the Apostle – Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

    Istanbul, Turkey

    On behalf of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, on January 30, 2014, the Honorable B. Theodore Bozonelis, Archon Ekdikos and Regional Commander of New Jersey, attended a conference in Istanbul, Turkey sponsored by Bilgi University Faculty of Law in partnership with Community (Minority) Foundations and the Council of European Human Rights (the Venice Commission). The topic of the conference was Legal Entities of Non-Muslims: “Problems and Rights”.

    Laki Vingas, as the duly elected representative of all Minority Foundations to the government of Turkey’s General Directorate of Foundations, organized the conference which featured speakers and panelists from the Turkish government, the Venice Commission, academia and attorneys. In addition to the speakers and panelists, the conference had over 150 participants which included embassy and consulate diplomats from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and many other countries, as well as European Union representatives, and Turkish officials, including the Deputy Minister to the European Union, the Turkish Ombudsman and  the Vice President of the Diyanet (Office of Islamic Religious Affairs). In this regard, Judge Bozonelis, representing the Order, had the opportunity to interact with the speakers, panelists and participants on issues central to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

    Opening remarks were presented by Dr. Turgut Tarhanli, Bilgi University Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Alaattin Buyukkaya, Turkey’s Deputy Minister to the European Union, and Mr. Vingas, as the representative of Minority Foundations. Their remarks focused the conference on the legal restrictions and problems of minority non-muslim foundations in Turkey and the lack of a legal personality (status) for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other non-muslim religious organizations. Following the opening remarks, a panel of professors from Bilgi University’s sociology and political science departments discussed the history and development of community (minority) foundations in Turkey. The use of the term “non-muslim” itself was referenced as being discriminatory in that the Turkish government segregates and codes minority religious groups rather than referring to all such individuals as Turkish citizens in their own right.

    Expanding on this topic, Dr. Konstantinos Tsitselikis, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, moderated a panel comprised of Dr. Adnan Ertem, Turkey’s General Director of Foundations, Dr. Christoph Grabenwarter, representative of the Venice Commission and a Judge of the Constitutional Court of Austria, Mine Yildirim, Freedom of Belief Project Director, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and Mr. Vingas on behalf of minority foundations. They addressed the negative effect of Turkey conditioning minority rights on “reciprocity” with Greece under the Treaty of Lausanne. All agreed that religious freedom and human rights were superior to any claims of “reciprocity” and the two concepts were completely separate and distinct. The panel referenced Turkey’s refusal to recognize the term “Ecumenical” for the Patriarchate as an example that its government should not interfere in soley religious matters. In addition, the panel referenced Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Council of Europe, of which Turkey and Greece are members, to evidence the supremacy of human rights over a states’ reciprocity issues between governments.

    The issue of a legal personality (status) for minority religious groups as the Ecumenical Patriarchate was also throughly vetted by a panel comprised of Turkish attorneys. The significance of the European Court of Human Rights’ decision in the Orphanage of Buyukada case was detailed. The panel showed that the Court’s decision to give legal title of the Orphanage property in the name of “Rum Patrikhanesi” (Greek Patriarchate) created a basis for the legal status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in its own name. The panel opined that Turkish Courts having accepted and filed this judgment further supports an independent legal status for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and supports other minority religious groups to claim the same.

    Mr. Vingas also commented and emphasized that in addition to legal personality issues, Turkey’s decision not to allow scheduled elections for board members of minority foundations has created a serious problem of control for minority foundations loyal to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other religious minority leaders, especially in efforts to merge foundations that lack sufficient resources. Turkish government regulations call for such elections every 4 years but Turkey has refused to enforce the same.

    The conference concluded by the speakers, panelists and participants offering potential solutions to resolve and enforce minority rights. One such solution discussed was to have the new proposed Turkish Constitution look to a restructuring of minority foundation laws and allow a legal status, even if limited in scope, to minority religious groups without the need of further court actions. Also, at the conclusion of the conference, Judge Bozonelis had the opportunity to offer the Order’s assistance in a meeting with Yannis Ktistakis, legal counsel to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Patriarchal Deacon Joachim Billis, a lawyer and Deputy Secretary to the Holy and Sacred Synod, on the progress of the return of confiscated properties to foundations loyal to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and on proposed efforts to transfer properties into the name of “Rum Patrikhanesi” (Patriarchate of the Roman Greeks) and/or the Ecumenical Patriarchate to test the creation of a legal status.

    [subscribe2]
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleDo Old World Patriarchs Really Want Orthodox Unity?
    Next Article Nun shot dead as gunman opens fire in Russian Orthodox church a week after country’s first school shoot-out

    Related Posts

    July 11, 20251 Min Read

    The Power of a Backpack: A Short Film by FOCUS

    July 10, 20253 Mins Read

    OCMC Board of Directors Appoints Dr. Nathan Hoppe as New Executive Director

    July 8, 20251 Min Read

    Suprasl: Enhancing the Awareness of Unity – July 2025 Newsletter

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Register for OCL's Annual Conference - October 11, 2025

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    Notice
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Jimmy Kallis on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Lou Gaviras on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • pERRY tORMAS on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Perry Tormas on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Myron Kaleras on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • Levantios on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • Jerry Maras on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • John on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • Jupiter's Son on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Timothy Mulligan on Ethno-Phyletism: A Problem for the American Church
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2023 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.