A core task of any Government is to bring its citizens together and enable every citizen, irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, to enjoy equal rights and play an active role in society.

The European Parliament has always called on the Turkish Government to fully recognise the rights of religious minorities and to enable them to function without undue constraints. Moreover, the European Parliament has called upon the Turkish Government to further increase its support for freedom of conscience and religious plurality in Turkish society, and to actively foster a climate of full respect for minorities.

Ria Oomen-Ruijten: ”Education plays a pivotal role in this process. In last year’s report, I urged the Turkish Government to pay special attention to educational materials in schools, which should reflect the religious plurality of Turkish society, and to the need for unbiased learning materials.

I will investigate the current developments with regards to anti-Assyrian statements in Turkish schoolbooks in detail, and I will take this into consideration when drafting the 2011 Turkey Progress Report for the European Parliament.

Ria Oomen-Ruijten
Lid van het Europees Parlement / Member of the European Parliament