Diamond Tema is a thirty-year-old agnostic and secularist content creator in Türkiye. Last year, he took part in an online debate and later had to flee the country. His case illustrates the restrictions on both freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief in Türkiye.
On 14 June 2024, Diamond Tema took part in a YouTube debate about Shari’a law with another Turkish social media content creator, Asrin Tok.
During the discussion, Diamond (who holds both Turkish and Albanian citizenship) read a text describing the Prophet Mohammed’s marriage and consummation of the marriage to his final wife, Aisha, when she was six and nine years old respectively, from the Sahih al-Bukhari hadith collection.
He stated that he believed such actions were immoral and incompatible with human rights. He asked Asrin Tok if he believed that the text was accurate and for his views on its morality. During the debate, Diamond also criticised the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party, the Republican People’s Party, Good Party, and other opposition parties for what he called their Islamist leanings.
Death threats and warnings
Three days later, Diamond relocated to Albania after receiving death threats and warnings that he would likely be arrested if he remained in Türkiye. He posted a video on YouTube explaining why he was leaving, stating:
‘There is no justice, there is no law, unfortunately there is no secularism ... It’s all just on paper. I will not be defeated by their order and system…I am defending secularism and the (Turkish) republic against a man who says that Shari’a must come to this country. I am defending this country. Today they [...] silence me. Tomorrow it will be your turn.’
The following day, on 18 June 2024, a warrant was issued for his arrest for violating Criminal Code Article 216. At the time of writing, the criminal charges remain in place and Diamond is still in Albania.
‘A Matter of Control’
Türkiye is one of the countries we analysed in our recent report: A Matter of Control: Challenges to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression. It reveals that protections for both of these rights have been rolled back significantly under the leadership of President Erdoğan.
There has also been a significant and deliberate erosion of Türkiye’s secular identity in recent years. This should be of grave concern to its neighbours and the wider international community.
At the same time, it’s clear that many living in Türkiye are resisting the government’s attempts to reshape the country. Many continue to promote secular values and an environment where individuals can freely express themselves and peacefully follow the religion or belief of their choice.
Learn more in our report:csw.org.uk/freedomofexpression