31 August 2004

1. "Rights and freedoms still abused, says MAZLUM-DER", the right to life of 334 people was violated in the first six months of 2004, says MAZLUM-DER report.

2. "Will the EU keep faith with Turkey?", more than forty years ago, Turkey applied for associate membership of the European Economic Community.

3. "Turkey wants to criminalise adultery", Turkey's government wants to make adultery a crime, the justice minister has been quoted as saying -- a proposal that has outraged the main opposition and women's groups.

4. "Turkey Warns It Will Counter Terrorism", Turkey's powerful military Monday marked the anniversary of a 1922 victory that helped bring the country's secular system to power by warning that it is prepared to counter any upswing in activity by Islamic extremists.

5. "Turkish delegation heads to Israel to mend strained ties", three close confidants of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan flew to Israel on Monday to mend strained ties after the Turkish leader accused Israel of engaging in state terrorism against the Palestinians.

6. "Relatives of guerillas: We may bury our pains as if they were not really there", while 1 September World Peace Day is expected to bring solutions for Kurdish Question, relatives of guerillas in Van verbalized their peace wishes for Turkey saying they could bury their pains although their children were killed in combats and although they lost their houses.

1. - Turkish Daily News - "Rights and freedoms still abused, says MAZLUM-DER":

The right to life of 334 people was violated in the first six months of 2004, says MAZLUM-DER report

ANKARA / 31 August 2004

According a human rights report issued by the Association of Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed Peoples (MAZLUM-DER) for the first six months of 2004, 334 people died as a result of unsolved murders, assassinations, torture, combat and actions against civilians.

MAZLUM-DER Vice President Halit Celik, speaking in conjunction with the release of the report, which was based ib articles appearing in the media and Human Rights Supervision Commission studies, said that while the number of human rights violations had decreased, the start of conflict in certain regions had created considerable fear.

Charges filed due to violations of freedom of expression and the right to organize, students facing disciplinary charges and dismissals from employment were still significant, said Calik.

Celik said the European Court of Human Rights had fined Turkey 3 million euros in the first six months of 2004, adding that significant obstructions blocking the implementation of new laws had occurred. He also said that Turkey still had failed to pass a comprehensive constitutional amendment package in accordance with universal norms.

The report said that 205 people had claimed they were tortured or maltreated in custody. Two people died while in custody, noted the report, adding that a total of 17 people had died as a result of suicide and hunger strikes in prisons.

Prosecutors had demanded more than 1,066 years' imprisonment in cases alleging violations of freedom of expression, said the report, adding that the court had called for a total of six years, four months' imprisonment and a total of appoximately TL 1.4 trillion in penalties against those found guilty.

Three newspapers were closed, one TV station was shut down for 71 days, the screening of one movie was postponed, 13 publications received warnings and two publications were closed for two months, noted the report.

Four public servants and 20 students received warnings in violation of their freedom of religion, with 33 people being placed in police custody.

2. - Jakarta Post - "Will the EU keep faith with Turkey?":

31 August 2004 / by Martti Ahtisaari and Albert Rohan*

More than forty years ago, Turkey applied for associate membership of the European Economic Community. With the Association agreement of 1963, a special relationship was established, culminating in the customs union of 1996. During all these years, European governments consistently confirmed Turkey's eligibility for full membership, making accession dependent on compliance with membership criteria.

Turkey's formal recognition as a candidate state in 1999 led Turkey to undertake unprecedented reform efforts in the area of human and minority rights, including abolition of the death penalty, safeguards against torture, promotion of religious freedoms, gender equality, and restriction of the military's role in political life. Should the EU consider the accession criteria as having been fulfilled, it must decide to open negotiations in early 2005. Not to do so would mean to renege on political commitments and to severely damage the EU's credibility in the world.

In many parts of Europe, however, Turkey's admission to the EU is viewed with skepticism owing to its size, relatively poor economy, fears of massive immigration, and, above all, cultural and societal differences -- a euphemism for Islam. It would be foolish to deny that some of these factors represent serious challenges. However, they are often exaggerated and certainly not insurmountable. Negotiations with Turkey would be lengthy and accession may not occur before 2015. This period of time would offer both Turkey and the Union an opportunity to come to terms.

With 80 million people, Turkey would be one of the largest EU states. But the size of a country plays only a limited role in the EU's decision-making process, because political influence within the Union depends more on economic power. Moreover, for decades Turkey has been a responsible member of many European institutions, and there is no reason to believe that it would act differently in the EU.

Because of its weak economy, Turkey would be eligible for substantial EU assistance. The size of these transfers, however, would depend on the EU's financial policies at the time of admission, the outcome of accession negotiations, and economic developments in Turkey. In any case, the EU's practice of "capping" its budget would prevent an explosion in the financial costs entailed by Turkey's accession.

Immigration should not be a cause for undue concern, either. Human mobility is limited, and Turkey workers' would probably be allowed to move freely within the EU only after a long transition period, possibly not before 2025. Given the expected upswing of Turkey's economy and its declining birthrate, experts predict a figure of around 2.7 million immigrants by that point. Meanwhile, diminishing and aging populations in most of Europe will have made immigration a necessity. Among the countries from where immigration to the EU is probable, Turkey has the best prospects for successful adaptation.

It is Turkey's Muslim population that creates the strongest emotions. Many feel that Turkey simply does not fit into a European society based on Christian traditions and culture. It is also feared that Islamists may one day turn Turkey into a fundamentalist state. Unlikely as it may be in view of Turkey's deeply rooted secularism, such a risk cannot be totally excluded. But the same is true for any other democracy, where radical groups could well misuse the democratic process for their purposes.

Surely, the best protection against such a calamity is to strengthen Turkey's democratic system, which can best be achieved by anchoring it firmly in a bloc of similarly democratic countries. As for the EU, it must decide whether it wants to be a closed "Christian club" or an open and inclusive society, drawing strength from cultural and religious diversity. Turkey's accession to the Union would give a powerful answer, one that would be heard with particular clarity in the Islamic world.

The need to refute arguments against Turkey's admission to the EU leaves the advantages rarely mentioned: Its unique geopolitical position at the crossroads of the Balkans, Southern Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East -- vitally important regions for Europe's security; its role as mayor transit country for energy supplies; its military capabilities at a time when the EU is developing its new European Defense Policy; and the great potential of the Turkish economy, with its young and dynamic labor force.

At the same time, the risks of rejecting Turkey must also be taken into account: The likelihood that the reform process would collapse, bringing radical currents to the fore and leading to instability and political unrest at the EU's doorsteps.

Turkish EU membership presents both opportunities and challenges. On balance, however, the advantages far outweigh the risks.

* Martti Ahtisaari, Finland's former president, is chairman of the Independent Commission on Turkey. Albert Rohan is rapporteur of the Independent Commission on Turkey.

3. - Reuters - "Turkey wants to criminalise adultery":

ISTANBUL / 30 August 2004

Turkey's government wants to make adultery a crime, the justice minister has been quoted as saying -- a proposal that has outraged the main opposition and women's groups.

Although the legislation would also apply to men, a previous adultery law abolished six years ago was used mainly against women.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which traces its roots to a banned Islamist movement, wants to include the adultery ban in an overhaul of the penal code, promised as part of reforms aimed at meeting European Union criteria.

The main opposition party has threatened to vote against the entire penal code reform if the clause on adultery is included in the bill and brought to parliament.

"We believe that adultery should be a crime, because society also expects this," Justice Minister Cemil Cicek was quoted as saying by newspapers on Monday.

Turkey's top court struck down a law penalising adultery in 1998 and said in its ruling that the law had been mainly used against women, leading to gender inequality.

Although Muslim Turkey has enshrined equality for women, rights groups say discrimination against women remains endemic.

The EU is expected to criticise the lack of equality for women in Turkey in a progress report on the country's candidacy due in October, diplomats have said.

The penal code's other reforms aim primarily to expand rights to meet the EU's basic criteria for membership. Turkey is hoping a swathe of recent rights reforms will convince Brussels to set a date to begin accession talks next year.

The other proposed changes include ending reductions in sentences for those convicted of so-called honour killings, longer prison terms for police found guilty of torture and new penalties for those convicted of racism and other forms of discrimination.

4. - AP - "Turkey Warns It Will Counter Terrorism":

ANKARA / 30 August 2004

Turkey's powerful military Monday marked the anniversary of a 1922 victory that helped bring the country's secular system to power by warning that it is prepared to counter any upswing in activity by Islamic extremists.

The staunchly secular military is suspicious of the Islamic-rooted governing party of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and of attempts to raise the profile of Islam in this predominantly Muslim but secular country.

"The risks and threats that we face today ... force our armed forces to be even more vigilant and powerful ... especially at a time when certain circles are frequently questioning our national values and the patience and resolution of the Turkish Armed Forces is being tested," military chief of staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok said.

"The Turkish Armed Forces, with its full-hearted commitment to the Turkish Republic's pillars, play an important role in protecting the Turkish Republic's peace and stability," Ozkok said in his message to mark the 82nd anniversary of the country's victory over the invading forces of France, Britain, Italy and Greece.

The military, the self-appointed guarantor of Turkey's secular regime, has staged three coups in the last four decades. In 1997, the military also pressured a pro-Islamic government out of power and has staunchly opposed any rise in radical Islam since then.

Celebrations for "Victory Day" were held under tight security.

In downtown Diyarbakir, the largest city in the Kurdish-dominated southeast, police defused a remote-controlled bomb believed to be planted by autonomy-seeking Kurdish rebels on a street used by local military and government officials, the governor's office said.

5. - Haaretz - "Turkish delegation heads to Israel to mend strained ties":

ANKARA / 30 August 2004

Three close confidants of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan flew to Israel on Monday to mend strained ties after the Turkish leader accused Israel of engaging in state terrorism against the Palestinians.

Israeli officials were taken aback by Erdogan's harsh comments and concerned Turkey's government could be trying to distance itself from Israel - possibly to boost relations with Arab neighbors or placate a Turkish public alienated by Israel's tactics against the Palestinians.

The Turkish delegation, including lawmakers Omer Celik, Egemen Bagis and Mevlut Cavusoglu, is expected to meet with Israel's Vice Premier Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom along with other officials.

Celik said the visit would be an important opportunity to improve relations between the two countries, the Anatolia news agency said.

In May, Erdogan was asked in an interview with Israel's Haaretz newspaper whether he considered Israel's actions against the Palestinians "state terrorism."

"How else can you interpret it?" he responded.

In an address to members of his party, Erdogan has also said, "We have no problem with the Israeli people. But the things done by their government are regretfully escalating anti-Semitism," the Milliyet newspaper reported earlier.

Turkish newspapers often print stories about the suffering of Palestinian civilians, and many Turks were angered by a weeklong Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip earlier this year that left 45 Palestinians dead.

Friendly ties with overwhelmingly Muslim Turkey are crucial for Israel, which faces isolation in the region. Turkey is also a key trading partner, and the two regional powers have had close military ties for years.

But many analysts say Turkey may be reassessing relations.

Erdogan's governing party has roots in Turkey's Islamic movement, and many of the party faithful are critical of ties with Israel.

Turkish leaders also are wary of reports of Israeli involvement in northern Iraq, a neighboring region whose stability Turkey regards as vital to its security.

6. - DIHA - "Relatives of guerillas: We may bury our pains as if they were not really there":

VAN / 31 August 2004 / M. Nasir Kaya

While 1 September World Peace Day is expected to bring solutions for Kurdish Question, relatives of guerillas in Van verbalized their peace wishes for Turkey saying they could bury their pains although their children were killed in combats and although they lost their houses.

Organizations, parties, human rights associations and intellectuals all around the world will hold activities on 1 September World Peace Day to perform effort for universal peace. In Turkey, nongovernmental organizations and parties also will come together in cities, districts and lieus and they will demand prevention of wars in Turkey and the world.

'We suffered too much but we may bury our pains as if they were not really there'

One more scream for peace came from Van. 65 year-old Zero Kabak whose 2 sons were killed in combats when they were fighting for Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and whose one son is still a member of Kurdistan People's Congress (KONGRA-GEL) said she could forgo her living son if the peace would be provided. Pointing that she as a mother was ready to do everything shoe could to put an end to the conflicts between Kurdish and Turkish people, Kabak said:

"My two sons lost their lives in combats. One of my sons is a guerrilla. We suffered too much. We had to migrate from our village. Nobody suffered as much as us Kurdish women. We do not want wars anymore. We want peace. We call Turkish mothers: 'We experience similar pains. When our children died we suffered too much. When their children died they suffered too much. If we share pains, why don't we come together? Why don't we listen each other? We should listen each other; for what reason we suffered, what we want now... We should explain these to each other. We buried our pains. We are not only mothers of guerrillas but also of soldiers. I have a son but I can forgo him if peace will be provided."

'Although we suffered so much from this war, we want to offer olive branch'

Zulfinaz Itah who had to leave her village due to armed conflicts said 1st September World Peace Day should be made the starting point to create permanent peace, she continued as follows:

"The person who brings us today is Abdullah Ocalan. The peace could be constructed only after his release. Now, the leader of 40 million-people has been isolated from the world. Government should release him as soon as possible and we want a general amnesty. Nobody can benefit from combats and wars. So much pain is enough. We suffered too much. We left our villages and houses. We lived under worst conditions. Although we suffered so much from this war, we want to offer olive branch. This call should not be unanswered."

Invitation to Women Intellectuals

Head of Women Branch of DEHAP, Semira Varli called out to women intellectuals of Turkey to offer a solution to Kurdish Problem and to put Kurdish Question on the agenda on 1st September World Peace Day. Varli stated, "This region witnessed an armed-conflict that was continued throughout 15 years. All of us injured in this combat, but we did not use the 5-year unilateral cease fire and, now, armed-conflict is starting. We called out all women, Palestinian women, Iraqi women so all women in Middle East to create permanent peace in Middle East. And we invite the women who identified themselves as intellectuals, we should understand each other we should solve these problems."