Freedom of religion may be recognised in Türkiye's constitution but non-Muslims face restrictions, especially those not named in a 1923 treaty that includes only Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Christians, Greek Orthodox Christians and Jews. Public opinion, reinforced by the state, is that to be Turkish is to be Muslim. Many regard non-Muslims as a threat to national security. 

• Despite the restrictions, Protestant churches have multiplied since the 1960s. They now total around 100, mostly small congregations. These churches have been able to register legally since 2005.

• Over the last five years authorities cancelled the residency and deported or barred re-entry to around 75 expatriate Christians who led or assisted Protestant churches.

• Church leaders have sometimes faced death threats, though the most serious violence in recent years was the murder of five young men at a Christian publishing house in Malatya in 2007.