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"The Turkish government as just announced a new decree which will return all confiscated immovable property belonging to minority foundations in the country, and it’s expected this will restore the rights of non-Muslim citizens and is a highly significant move.
The decree will allow minority foundations to reclaim real property declared back in 1936. This means that all real property, fountains and cemeteries will be returned to their rightful owners, and immovable property owned by third parties will be paid for. This new decree is an expansion of the law returning goods to minority foundations which was enforced in 2008.
The confiscation of the properties of minority foundations dates back to 1936, when all foundations were required to submit a property declaration listing all property owned by the foundation. The declaration prohibited minority communities from acquiring property. Under the new decree, minority foundations must apply to the Turkish authorities within the next year to reclaim their property.
The news is being welcomed by minority communities as a clear sign that the state mentality is changing, and experts hope that this step will encourage the government to further expand the rights of minorities in Turkey, especially as the Turkish government has undertaken this latest move under its own free will, before facing foreign pressure.
Turkey has a population of nearly 70 million, with the majority being Muslim. There are nearly 65,000 Armenian Orthodox Christians, 23,000 Jews and less than 2500 Greek orthodox Christians. The property due to be returned includes around 50 cemeteries and property belonging to the Balıklı Greek Hospital foundation which comprises of 157 houses, 21 apartment complexes, one factory, three cemeteries and three nightclubs.
