Independent Syriac Member of Turkish Parliament Çelik criticizes the Turkish government’s decisions on Property Law

ANKARA — While discussions about the general budget continue in Turkey, independent Syriac Member of Turkish Parliament for Mardin Tuma Çelik conveys the demands of the Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) to the government.

Earlier, Çelik stated that the Syriacs are indigenous people in Turkey and the Tur Abdin Region is a sacred land for the Syriacs.

He pointed out that the Syriac people were displaced from their homeland in Turkey, but they are eager to return. After 2000, the Syriac people began to take steps to return to Tur Abdin, but they faced restrictions due to the Property Law.

Çelik added that the Turkish government exploited the displacement of the Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) citizens to seize their property, registering the property for other persons or turning them to government headquarters, as in the case of property of the Mor Gabriel Monastery.

He highlighted the issue that citizens residing outside Turkey are not allowed to buy property in Mirde and its countryside, as well as Kilis, Hatay, and other areas where Syriacs, Kurds and other Christian denominations live.

“This decision should be revoked and transparency should be applied within the Property Law,” he added.

“Süryaniler neden köyünde ev alamıyor?”

2023 yılı Çevre Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı görüşmelerinde konuşan Mardin Milletvekili Tuma Çelik, yabancılara mülk satış yasağı olan Mardin’de,Süryanilerin bu yasak kapsamından çıkartılmasını istedi.https://t.co/EZw71g3CIR pic.twitter.com/AkVKhFsMsx

— Gazete Sabro (@gazetesabro) November 10, 2022

Çelik noted that the indigenous Syriac people who survived the horrors of atrocities, encroachments and persecution are eager to return to their areas, so ensuring their safety and security is the Turkish government responsibility.