Turkey’s transnational repression through religious institutions report presented at 2026 IRF Summit

Investigative journalist Arbana Xharra attended the 2026 IRF (International Religious Freedom) Summit to present a report on Turkey’s authoritarian practices carried out through religious institutions. The report, prepared by Xharra in collaboration with AST, exposes how the Turkish government conducts transnational repression and a global purge through its Religious Affairs Directorate, the Diyanet.

During the summit, AST spokesperson Dr. Hafza Girdap and Arbana Xharra further discussed these issues with fellow speakers, including Nazila Ghanea, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Turkey currently appears on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Special Watch List (SWL) due to recommendations citing its engagement in or tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom.