The news about the burning of the Quran in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Copenhagen in Denmark has appeared in print and visual media.

Human dignity, which is accepted as the ontological basis of human rights, is also the basis of the right to protect and develop one's material and spiritual existence. A person's moral existence is a broad concept that includes elements such as honor, reputation, private life, thoughts, freedoms, as well as beliefs and values that people consider sacred. For this reason, attacks against beliefs and the values that people consider sacred, which are an integral part of their spiritual existence, may constitute a violation of many fundamental rights and freedoms such as human dignity, the protection of the material and spiritual existence of the person and freedom of religion and conscience.

Attacks on the religious values adopted by individuals not only target individual rights and freedoms, but also threaten the principle of democratic pluralism in the countries they occur. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which are closely related to pluralism, constitute one of the fundamental pillars of a democratic society (Dimitras and Others v. Greece (no.2) Appeal Nos. 34207/08 and 6365/09).3/11/2011, para.27.). In this respect, freedom of religion and conscience, which is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society, is one of the most fundamental elements of the identity and understanding of life of believers with its religious dimension (ECtHR, Kokkinakis v. Greece Application No: 14307/88, 25.05.1993, para.31.).

Freedom of religion and conscience is indispensable as it is vital for the establishment and maintenance of the foundations of an effective and meaningful democracy based on the rule of law, and this freedom can only be protected in a democracy based on an understanding of recognition, pluralism and impartiality (Constitutional Court Tuğba Arslan [GK], B. No: 2014/256, 25/6/2014, para.53). Pluralism is possible when everyone participates in social and political life with their own identity and as themselves. There can be no talk of pluralism where differences and those who are different are not recognized and protected against threats (Constitutional Court, Tuğba Arslan, para.54.).

In this context, the increasing frequency of these and similar archaic fascist discourses and actions against the values considered sacred by Islam, risks preventing Muslims from participating in social and political life and fuels violence, xenophobia and marginalization in democratic societies based on pluralism.

Stating once again that anti-Islamism has reached a level of hostility that has turned into radical discriminatory attitudes and hate-motivated acts have reached alarming dimensions, we reiterate our call on the relevant authorities to take immediate action to take the necessary measures against fascist attacks that threaten the right to security of Muslims and to make the necessary efforts to establish global peace and social tranquility.

Our Institution, whose main mission is to guarantee the right of individuals to equal treatment based on human dignity and to prevent discrimination in the enjoyment of legally recognized rights and freedoms, follows the news in the press with concern.

Respectfully announced to the public.