Turkey Is Labeling Christian Missionaries as Terrorists and Banning Them for Life

Turkey Bans 160 Christian Missionaries Using Security Codes Designed for Terrorism Suspects

Turkey has banned at least 160 foreign Christian workers, including pastors, ministry workers, and missionaries, from re entering the country by labeling them as threats to national security using internal security codes normally reserved for terrorism suspects.

Since 2019, Turkish authorities have applied codes like "N 82" and "G 87" to hundreds of foreign Christians, preventing them from re entering Turkey after trips abroad or denying residence permits. Many had lived and served in Turkey for decades. The total affected, including families, is estimated at hundreds of individuals.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has now formally taken up 20 cases brought by Christians whom Turkey effectively banned solely for living out their faith. The court "communicated" the cases, meaning Turkey must formally respond to the allegations.

European Court Takes Up Cases of Christians Banned from Turkey for Their Faith

Turkey's codes label peaceful foreign Christian residents as threats "to public order and security," a designation usually reserved for terrorism suspects. The missionaries were given no hearing, no trial, and no opportunity to challenge the designation before being expelled.

The Crusader's Opinion

Turkey is a NATO ally. It receives Western military and economic support. And it is systematically expelling Christians by labeling them terrorists. Not suspected terrorists. Not charged terrorists. Christians who committed the crime of sharing their faith. The security codes "N 82" and "G 87" are the modern equivalent of a scarlet letter, except this one gets you banned from a country you called home for decades. Every Western government that calls Turkey a partner must demand answers. You cannot be an ally of the free world and a persecutor of the faithful.

Take Action

• Learn: Read ADF International's coverage of the ECHR cases
• Contact: Write to the Turkish Embassy demanding an explanation for labeling missionaries as security threats.
• Share: A NATO ally is banning missionaries by calling them terrorists. Share this story.
• Pray: Pray for the 160+ missionary families expelled from Turkey and for the ECHR to deliver justice.
• Donate: Support ADF International's legal defense of persecuted Christians