Hagia Sophia is the property of all humanity, not a tool in Erdogan’s plans
Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 24th July 2020, Nicosia
The Turkish President’s action to operate Hagia Sophia today as a mosque shows contempt for the international community’s reactions, as well as disregard for universal values and Turkey’s legal obligations stemming from international conventions. This action constitutes a provocation to the Christian world, a blow to interfaith reconciliation and understanding, as well as representing a dangerous new curbing of the secular state in Turkey.
We underline that there are reactions not only on an international level, but also inside Turkey itself, from forces such as the Communist Party of Turkey, the People’s Democracy Party (HDP) and other democratic voices.
Hagia Sophia is the property of all humanity and cannot be used as a tool in Erdogan’s plans for the interior of his country, but also for his aggressive ambitions in the region.
