European Human Rights Court Says Turkey's School Curriculum Violates ECHR

Yesterday in Case of Hasan & Eylem Zengin v. Turkey, (ECHR, Oct. 9, 2007), the European Court of Human Rights held that compulsory courses on religious culture and ethics in Turkish primary and secondary schools are taught in a way that violates the European Convention on Human Rights. Protocol No. 1, Art. 2 of the ECHR provides:

In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching, the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions.

The suit was brought by Hasan Zengin and his daughter Eylem, members of the Alevi faith, after Turkish authorities refused to exempt Eylem from the required religion and culture classes. Today's Zaman traces the background of the case. The ECHR held that the courses do not meet the criteria of objectivity and pluralism, and fail to respect the philosophical convictions of Hasan Zengin. The Court also observed that the exemption procedure does not provide sufficient protection to parents who believe the course is likely to create a conflict of allegiance in their children between the school and their own values.

UPDATE: On Thursday, Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party agreed to implement the court's ruling by allowing students to opt out of existing courses on religion that emphasize Islam. However, those who do will be required to take "universal religious knowledge" courses in which all religions are covered equally. (Today's Zaman.)