By: Lily Pelletier
My name is Lily, and I just began my 2L year at Regent. This past summer, I was blessed with the opportunity to work at the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) in Strasbourg, France.
The ECLJ is a non-governmental organization that focuses on protecting human rights around the world, with a particular emphasis on issues involving European countries. As the sister organization to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), the ECLJ was established as a human rights organization for Europeans, run by Europeans. Located in Strasbourg, France, the ECLJ has the unique opportunity to work closely with the European Parliament, the European Court of Human Rights, and the Council of Europe.
During my internship at the ECLJ, I researched the persecution of Christians in Turkey, with a specific focus on the increasingly hostile relationship between President Recep Erdogan’s government and foreign Christian missionaries.
My report examined the historical relationship between the Turkish government and the Christian population within the country’s borders, the evolution of religious demographics, and the current methods by which the government expels Christians. I was struck by stories similar to that of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a long-time missionary in Turkey who was imprisoned in 2016 and released two years later after significant advocacy by the ACLJ, ECLJ, and the President of the United States.
Having heard Pastor Brunson’s story, I was shocked to learn that similar incidents continue to affect dozens of Christians each year in Turkey. In researching their plight, I also developed an interest in the country’s rich history, discovering that several key milestones in early Christianity took place within what is now modern-day Turkey. My next report further detailed the persecution faced by various Christian groups, analyzed each denomination’s historical relationship with the land, outlined the government’s current persecution strategies, and proposed avenues for advocacy groups to address these injustices.
Outside of my work on Turkey, I was able to connect with fellow interns from France and Spain. I practiced my foreign language skills while hiking, visiting museums, and even hosting a Fourth of July party for my French colleagues. Their kindness was remarkable, and I was incredibly blessed to spend my summer with brothers and sisters in Christ living in France.
My fellow law student and co-intern, Jocelynne Lake, and I also traveled frequently on weekends. We dipped our toes in Lake Zurich in Switzerland, met Olympians in Luxembourg—the last active monarchy in Europe, enjoyed thermal baths in Germany, and attended a lumberjack festival in a neighboring small town in France. These adventures were unforgettable, and I am especially grateful to Regent’s Center for Global Justice for making them possible.
After completing my time in France, I am eager to continue using my French language skills, to learn more about the persecuted Church abroad, and to advocate for those who do not have the same opportunities to share the Gospel as we do in the United States. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and excited to see generations of Regent law students continue this tradition for many years to come.
This post was written by a student at Regent University School of Law. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of Regent University, Regent Law School, or the Center for Global Justice.