Greek Orthodox Patriarch Meets With Commission Drafting Turkey's New Constitution

Hurriyet Daily News reported yesterday that in Turkey, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew made an historic closed-door presentation to the Constitution Conciliation Commission which is drafting a new constitution for Turkey. The Patriarch said that this was "the first official invitation to non-Muslim minorities in Republican history." In an 18-page paper that he left with the Commission, the Patriarch called for equal treatment for non-Muslim minorities, including an equal share of public funds for religious services and education. Another member of the Patriarch's delegation urged the Commission to make reference in the new constitution to the 1924 Lausanne Treaty that  guarantees the rights of Turkey’s Greek Orthodox, Jewish and Armenian communities. He also urged the Commission to specifically define "hate crimes". The head of the Syriac Mor Gabriel Monastery Foundation also met with the Commission.