This Response contains sections of TUR38531.E of 16 April 2002.

No information on the situation of Alevi Kurdish students at Turkish universities could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, the following information, which is outside the covered period is relevant. According to an article published on the Alevilik-Bektasilik Research Site, "Alevis have no distinguishing physical characteristics such as skin color, or eye shape ... [and] wear no traditional dress that sets them apart from anyone in the street" (1 Oct. 2000). Even so, "Alevis almost universally feel that they have been persecuted for their beliefs and cultural values" (ibid.). However, when harassed they "seldom seek redress either from the police or from the judicial system, since they believe the latter to be deeply prejudiced against them" (Utrikespolitiska Institutet 2001, 9). A report written for Asylum Aid by Navita Atreya et al. in February 2001 noted that the "issue is not that Alevi Kurds are persecuted per se, but rather that they are at significantly greater risk [and] are vulnerable to suspicion, gross prejudice and mistreatment if individuals belonging to the community attract police attention" (Feb. 2001, 36-37).

The education was considered discriminatory by Alevis (UNHCR Oct. 1997, 13; Atreya et al. Feb. 2001, 33). Navita Atreya et al. argued that

Since [the 1980's] probably as a result of the doctrine of 'Turkish-Islamic synthesis', itself an attempt to assuage the apparent frustration of the Islamic-minded constituency in Turkey, compulsory classes in (Sunni) religious education take place in the Turkish education system. ... [C]ompulsory education in Sunni Islam is clearly discriminatory. Furthermore, in the course of this compulsory education, Alevi schoolchildren report being picked upon and punished for failing to learn Sunni Qur'anic or liturgical material, or are mocked by their peers. Those in schools with a predominantly Sunni intake learn what it is to be reviled at a young age (ibid.).

This information could not be corroborated by sources consulted by the Research Directorate within time constraints.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Alevilik-Bektasilik Research Site. 1 October 2000. John Shindeldecker. "Turkish Alevis Today." http://www.alevibektasi.org/xalevis1.htm [Accessed 17 Sept. 2004]

Atreya, Navita et al. February 2001. A Report to Asylum Aid: Asylum Seekers From Turkey: The Dangers They Flee. http://www.asylumaid.org.uk/Publications/turkey%20report.PDF [Accessed 17 Sept. 2004]

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). October 1997. Background Paper on Refugees and Asylum Seekers from Turkey. http://www.asylumlaw.org/docs/turkey/unhcr_bpas97_turkey.pdf [Accessed 17 Sept. 2004]

Utrikespolitiska Institutet. 2001. Occasional Papers No. 19. Nigar Karimova and Edward Deverell. Minorities in Turkey. http://www.ui.se/texter/op19.pdf [Accessed 17 Apr. 2004]

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), Dialog, Human Rights Association of Turkey, Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT), European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, Minority Rights Group International (MRG), Organization of Human Rights and Solidarity for Opressed People (MAZLUMDER), Turkish Daily News.