Religion – Weltanschauung – Recht [ RWR ]

The applicants, Niko Mavrakis and Corc Kasaoğlu, are two Turkish nationals who were born in 1941 and 1984 respectively and lived in Istanbul, where they served as Greek Orthodox priests. The case concerns the applicants’ removal from the lists of the members of the boards of directors of three religious minority foundations on account of their being members of the clergy, and the ensuing judicial proceedings.

Relying on Articles 9 (right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion) and 11 (freedom of assembly and association) of the Convention, the applicants complain that their removal from the boards of directors of the foundations belonging to the Greek Orthodox community, of which they are members, infringed their right to manifest their religion and their freedom of association. Relying on Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination), taken alone or in conjunction with Articles 9 and 11, they allege that they were discriminated against on the grounds of their status as Greek Orthodox priests and their belonging to the Greek minority. Lastly, relying on Article 6 § 1 and Article 13 (right to an effective remedy), they complain of the lack of a remedy on account of the belated referral of the case to the civil courts.

• Violation of Article 11 read in the light of Article 9

Just satisfaction

• non-pecuniary damage: € 2,000,– to the second applicant individually and to the heirs of the first applicant jointly

Press release ECHR 136 (2026) 26.05.2026