BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Feb. 12 strongly condemning Turkey’s expulsion of Christian missionaries under what lawmakers described as opaque “national security” pretexts. The resolution urges the capital city of Ankara to respect freedom of religion and allow those affected to return.
The European Parliament, the EU’s directly elected legislature, represents over 450 million citizens across 27 member states.
The resolution passed with 502 votes in favor, two against, and 59 abstentions, following a late-evening parliamentary debate on Wednesday, reflecting broad cross-party concern over the treatment of foreign Christian religious workers.
Missionaries targeted as ‘threat to national security’
During the debate, Dutch Member of the European Parliament Bert-Jan Ruissen described the situation facing missionaries in Turkey in stark terms.
“You bring the good news of the Gospel, the message of peace and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Then you are considered a threat to national security and are no longer allowed to enter the country. That is the harsh reality of missionaries working in Turkey,” Ruissen said.
He urged Turkish authorities to “take freedom of religion seriously,” adding that as the EU strengthens engagement with Ankara, it must speak clearly about fundamental rights.
“Turkey must stop targeting churches, guarantee freedom of religion or belief, and allow Christians to share their faith freely,” he said.
At least 160 foreign Christian workers expelled or denied reentry
According to ADF International, at least 160 foreign Christian workers, along with their families, have been expelled from Turkey or denied reentry in recent years, often after living and serving in the country for decades.
Many of those affected were issued so-called “N-82” administrative codes, a national security classification used to bar individuals from returning. ADF International reports that these bans are often applied without public explanation or effective legal remedy, leaving missionaries unable to challenge their exclusion.
Approximately 20 related cases are currently before the European Court of Human Rights, where applicants are challenging the legality of the expulsions and reentry restrictions, according to ADF International.
The adopted resolution calls on Turkish authorities to ensure that national security measures are not applied arbitrarily and urges Turkey to respect international human rights obligations, including protections for freedom of religion or belief.
Turkey’s foreign ministry reportedly rejected the resolution on Feb. 13, saying claims regarding freedom of expression and religion “contradict the facts” and that “no foreign institution, including the European Parliament, can interfere in judicial proceedings conducted in our country.”
Resolution puts EU-Turkey relations further on the line
The resolution comes amid long-standing tensions between the EU and Turkey over human rights and rule of law concerns. Despite holding official EU candidate status since 1999, Turkey’s long-stalled bid to join the bloc has effectively frozen.
The European Parliament has repeatedly raised concerns regarding the treatment of journalists, civil society actors, and religious minorities in the country. Thursday’s vote adds the expulsion of Christian missionaries to the list of issues under parliamentary scrutiny.
Although European Parliament resolutions are not legally binding, the adopted resolution carries political weight, signaling the EU’s stance on freedom of religion and prompting the European Commission and the European External Action Service, the EU’s diplomatic service, to raise the issue with Turkish authorities.
Croatian Member of the European Parliament Tomislav Sokol, speaking during the debate, framed Turkey’s expulsions within a broader global challenge to religious freedom. He highlighted the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, including widespread killings and the destruction of churches. He warned that Turkey’s expulsions represent a different but equally serious form of persecution — including administrative bans, deportations, church closures, and denial of legal protection. He added: “Our credibility is measured by our willingness to defend freedom of religion everywhere and without double standards.”
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