President of Cem Foundation and the honorary chair of the Federation of Alevite Foundations Prof. Dr.Ýzzettin Doðan said the current government of Turkey is not respecting their rights and fails to respond their demands. Therefore, they have complained about Turkey with ECHR.

Speaking in a press conference Doðan said they have been trying hard for the last 20 years not to take Turkey before an international court however, no promise given to the Alevite has been kept. “We have noticed that we cannot reach anywhere with politics. Therefore we have decided to legal remedies and took the situation before the ECHR.” added Doðan.

He also added that he is taking the case which he launched against the PM office in 2005 to the Strasburg Court.

Dogan further stated that Alevites want Cem Houses to be recognised and granted temple status. He further stated that although religion is a public service under Article 136 of the Constitution and everybody is entitled to enjoy it Alevites are deprived of this rights. Dogan also wanted that like the Sunni imams Alevite clergy should also be employed by the state.

Ýzzettin Doðan also stated that the existence of 25 million of Alevites in Turkey is denied and since the last 10 years only persons of Sunni-Islam have been employed for the public services.

He also stated that he will say NO to the constitution referendum as it needs to be proofed that Alevites are not discriminated in Turkey.