ANKARA - Parliamentary Human Rights Commission Chairman Mehmet Elkatmis said on Thursday that a permanent working group would be formed under the auspices of the commission to deal with problems of religious communities.
Armenian Patriarch Mutafyan visited Elkatmis.
Elkatmis said that it was the duty of the government and parliament to solve problems of religious communities and social groups.
Stating that their efforts were under way to solve problems of religious communities, Elkatmis said that they would prepare a report in the end of their initiatives and submit the report to concerned people.
Stressing that all liberties were important, Elkatmis said, ''according to me, freedom of belief is prior. Because, all religions teach people to be a good person.''
They would continue their initiatives aiming at solution of problems of communities of the minorities with mutual dialogue, Elkatmis stated.
Elkatmis said that Mutafyan prevented release of a report prepared by some circles in Europe against Turkey and thanked him for his efforts.
Mutafyan expressed belief that there were not any problems which could not be solved as long as Turkey had good will.
''New adjustment laws are an outcome of this good will. These adjustment packages will be put into practice in coming days and all citizens will benefit from them,'' Mutafyan said.
Mutafyan added, ''parliament, church, mosque and synagogue are sacred for us because parliament is the place where national will is revealed.''
(BRC) 25.09.2003