Islamophobia and Anti-Turkish Racism: Türkiye’s Call for a UN Special Envoy

The rise of Islamophobia and anti-Turkish racism has reached alarming levels globally, with Turkish and Muslim communities facing systemic discrimination, violence, and institutional prejudice. Türkiye’s recent call for a United Nations (UN) special envoy to combat Islamophobia underscores the severity of the issue, particularly in Europe, where Islamophobic attacks and anti-Turkish sentiment have become disturbingly normalized.

This article explores the importance of Türkiye’s proposal, the deep-rooted racism against Turks and Turkish Cypriots, and the pressing need for international action.

Türkiye’s Call for a UN Special Envoy on Islamophobia

In a powerful address to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on February 24, 2025, Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mehmet Kemal Bozay, called for the appointment of a UN special envoy dedicated to combating Islamophobia. Bozay emphasized that hatred against Islam, xenophobia, and far-right extremism are on the rise, directly impacting the rights and safety of Muslims worldwide. “Hardly a day goes by without hostility against and violations of fundamental rights of Muslims, including attacks on their lives, mosques, and the Holy Quran,” Bozay stated, underlining the increasing frequency of anti-Muslim incidents, particularly in Western Europe.

The appointment of a UN special envoy would mark a critical step in recognizing and systematically addressing the discrimination faced by Muslim communities. This role would include monitoring anti-Muslim violence, advocating for policies to combat hate speech, and holding governments accountable for failing to protect their Muslim populations.

Racism Against Turkish Cypriots: A Historical and Ongoing Struggle

While Islamophobia is a significant concern, anti-Turkish racism—particularly against Turkish Cypriots—remains an issue that is largely ignored on the international stage. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been subjected to decades of political and economic isolation due to the refusal of the Greek Cypriot administration to recognize its legitimacy. However, this is not merely a diplomatic issue; it is a deeply ingrained form of ethnic discrimination.

Systematic Discrimination by Greek Cypriots

Since the 1960s, Turkish Cypriots have been subjected to ethnic cleansing attempts by Greek Cypriot terrorist organizations like EOKA, which sought to create a Greek-only Cyprus by eliminating or expelling its Turkish population. The 1963-1974 period saw mass killings, destruction of Turkish Cypriot villages, and forced displacement. Even after the 1974 Turkish peace operation, which safeguarded the Turkish Cypriot community from further massacres, Greek Cypriot propaganda has continued to frame the intervention as an ‘invasion’ rather than a necessary act of protection.

Modern-Day Discrimination Against Turkish Cypriots

Turkish Cypriots continue to face racism in multiple forms, including:

• Economic Embargoes: The TRNC remains under unfair international embargoes that hinder trade, travel, and economic growth.
• Sports and Culture Restrictions: Turkish Cypriots are prohibited from competing under their own flag in international sports and cultural events, reinforcing their exclusion from the global community.
• Defamation and Hate Speech: Greek Cypriot leaders frequently engage in rhetoric that portrays Turkish Cypriots as ‘settlers’ or ‘illegal occupants,’ dismissing their right to self-determination.

Anti-Turkish Racism in Greece and Europe

Beyond Cyprus, Turks across Europe, particularly in Greece, face institutional discrimination and hate crimes. The Turkish minority in Western Thrace, recognized under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, has consistently been denied basic rights. The Greek government refuses to acknowledge their Turkish identity, branding them as ‘Muslim Greeks’ and limiting their political and religious freedoms.

In countries like Germany, France, and Austria, Turkish communities are often targets of far-right violence, facing attacks on their businesses, mosques, and religious gatherings. Islamophobia and anti-Turkish sentiments overlap, creating a toxic environment where Turks are demonized both for their ethnicity and their religion.

The Path Forward: Recognizing and Combating Anti-Turkish Racism

Türkiye’s call for a UN special envoy on Islamophobia is an important step, but the fight against discrimination must also include a broader acknowledgment of anti-Turkish racism. The TRNC must be granted equal representation in international forums, and the global community must confront the systematic marginalization of Turkish communities worldwide.

Concrete Steps to Address the Issue:

• Appoint a UN Special Envoy on Islamophobia to monitor and combat hate crimes targeting Muslims and Turks.
• End the Embargo on the TRNC and allow Turkish Cypriots to engage freely in international trade, travel, and sports.
• Hold Greece Accountable for its treatment of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and ensure compliance with international human rights agreements.
• Implement Stronger Hate Crime Legislation in European countries to protect Turkish and Muslim communities from violence and discrimination.

TCE Conclusion

The global rise in Islamophobia and anti-Turkish racism is a serious issue that cannot be ignored. Türkiye’s proposal for a UN special envoy is a necessary step in tackling this growing crisis. However, the international community must also address the long-standing discrimination against Turkish Cypriots and Turks in general, recognizing the historical and ongoing injustices they have faced. Justice, equality, and recognition for the TRNC are not just regional issues; they are global imperatives for human rights and peace.

References

• "Türkiye calls for UN special envoy to combat Islamophobia," Daily Sabah, February 25, 2025.

• "Türkiye urges UN to appoint special envoy on Islamophobia at Human Rights Council," Anadolu Agency, February 24, 2025.

• "Discrimination against the Turkish minority in Western Thrace," TRT World, 2023.

• "The embargo on Northern Cyprus: A violation of human rights," Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Association, 2024.