>> Christians in Turkey are being systematically suppressed or exploited for political gains, warns a new report from two human rights watch groups, International Christian Concern and Middle East Concern. >> The report examined challenges facing Christians between 2016 and 2020, finding that Christians in Turkey frequently experience suppression of their legal status as citizens, as well as the legal status of their religious sites and institutions. Furthermore, rather than being granted full rights because they are Turkish citizens, their religious and civil rights are exploited as international political “bargaining chips.” >> “The institutionalized use of religious freedom as a political bargaining chip should prompt caution amongst human rights advocates,” the report states. >> “Another point of caution is the cultural perception within Turkey of how these issues are discussed within the international community,” the report adds.