Court in Turkey Rules to Exempt Child from Religious Courses; Parents Are Atheists

Today's Zaman website reports that a court in Istanbul, Turkey ruled this week to exempt a fourth-grade child from compulsory religious courses upon an appeal by the child's parents on the grounds that they are atheists.

S.A.K. and Y.K. -- a couple residing in the Eyup district of Istanbul -- had petitioned the Eyup District Governor's Office to exempt the child, A.K., from compulsory religious courses at the school. The petition was rejected by the office in accordance with the Constitution, which says religious courses are compulsory.

The couple appealed the decision at the Istanbul 8th Administrative Court, which unanimously ruled to overturn the district governor's office's decision.

In its reasoning for the decision, the court pointed to Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of thought, and Article 24 of the Constitution on freedom of religion.