Turkish Human Rights Association highlights sealing of historic Syriac Church in Tur Abdin in anti-racism report

08/07/2026

ISTANBUL — The Commission Against Racism and Discrimination of the Human Rights Association (İnsan Hakları Derneği, İHD) has featured a report based on Gazete Sabro’s coverage of the sealing of the historic Virgin Mary Church in Beth Zabday (Azakh–İdil), Tur Abdin. The Syriac Orthodox church is regarded as one of the oldest churches in the world.

The İHD compiles its Bulletin on Racism and Discrimination in the Media by monitoring rights violations in the media and analyzing discriminatory language used in the press. According to this month’s bulletin, the findings demonstrate how sections of the media contribute to polarization, racism, and the creation of a climate of hatred in the public sphere.

“We view racism not merely as an ideology, but as a social regime that permeates all social, economic, political, cultural, and psychological spheres. In our country, Turkish and Sunni supremacist practices manifest themselves in different areas of daily life, while racist discourse that demeans other ethnic and religious groups continues to circulate. These racist practices and narratives are evident not only in everyday life but also within state institutions.”

‘Minorities’ Excluded from Military Schools

One of the bulletin’s featured items concerns a 1942 directive issued by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense regarding admissions to military schools.

According to the bulletin, the ministry instructed relevant authorities not to inform applicants that they had been rejected because of their race. Instead, officials were directed to cite reasons such as health conditions or school capacity limitations if a negative response was necessary.

The document, which became public last year, has renewed debate over historical state policies toward minority communities in Turkey.

Other Examples of Racism Highlighted in the Bulletin

The bulletin also cited several recent incidents and media reports related to racism and discrimination, including:

• “Widespread reaction to Rahmi Koç’s joke about a Kurdish female patient.”
• “Historic Virgin Mary Church in Beth Zabday (Azakh–İdil), Tur Abdin, one of the world’s oldest churches, sealed.”
• “Attack in Rize on Iranian workers demanding their wages.”
• “Reactions continue over Ötüken editor-in-chief Çakır’s remarks on Circassian women.”
• “Another attack on Kurdish students at Ankara University.”
• “Villagers attacked by village guards; soldiers deleted the videos.”
• “Journalist Tuğçe Tatari exposes non-routine searches and ill-treatment in parliamentary security over a Kurdish bag.”
• “Reaction from Nevroz Uysal Aslan to Kurdish censorship: How can a parliament that avoids even uttering the name of a language defend equal citizenship?”
• “Investigation into a 17-year-old youth over a Demirtaş poster.”
• “Racist group attacks Amedspor banner at Ardahan University graduation.”

Historic Syriac Church Included in the Report

The June edition of the Bulletin on Racism and Discrimination in the Media referenced Gazete Sabro’s article titled Historic Virgin Mary Church in Beth Zabday (Azakh–İdil), Tur Abdin, One of the World’s Oldest Churches, Sealed.

“A sealing notice was issued by the İdil Municipality to the historic Virgin Mary Church, located in the center of Beth Zabday (İdil) in the Tur Abdin region (Mardin Province), a site that holds a significant place in Christian history. Officials from the church foundation, under which the church is registered, state that the municipality justified the measure by referring to restoration work carried out in 2008 following approval by the High Council of Monuments.”

The report further noted that the Virgin Mary Church (Azret Azakh), considered one of the most important landmarks in İdil, is recognized as one of the world’s oldest churches after the Church of Saint Peter (Mor Petrus) in Antioch. With a history spanning approximately 2,000 years, the church stands as one of the region’s most significant examples of its multicultural heritage and Syriac cultural legacy, welcoming numerous domestic and international visitors each year.