According to Josette Durrieu (France, SOC), rapporteur for post-monitoring dialogue with Turkey, with three months to go before the presidential elections, the situation in Turkey is once again prompting questions. “Most of the points to be checked under the post-monitoring dialogue procedure, in particular the development of democracy in Turkey and judicial reform, are still outstanding, as the constitution has not been amended as planned. The August 2014 presidential election will be a crucial stage, but it is not until after the parliamentary elections in 2015 that it will perhaps become clear what direction the regime is moving in,” said Ms Durrieu on returning from her fact-finding visit from 25 to 29 May 2014.
She pointed out that in the justice sphere, reform and independence of the judiciary and prosecution service remain a key point. “The adoption of various judicial reform packages had been a real step forward since 2010. Since December 2013, however, the cases involving allegations of corruption have triggered various turbulent episodes linked, inter alia, to the Gülen movement. This movement is deeply rooted in Turkish society and in some sectors more than others, in particular the justice system and the police. The situation has resulted in a serious clash with the government. There is a risk that the trials and arrests which, over the past ten years, were mainly directed against military personnel, journalists, Kurds and academics, could now find a new target: Gülen supporters.”
“As a result of police brutality during the Gezi Park protests a year ago, eight people died and thousands were injured. This once again raises the issue of the exercise of social rights and the protection of human rights in Turkey, starting with the right to demonstrate. The deaths of 301 workers in the Soma mine tragedy, furthermore, have sparked public anger and focused attention on the problem of safety and inspections at workplaces, in particular mines. The ILO convention on safety and health in mines has not been ratified by Turkey, which will probably have to review all of the labour rights,” added Ms Durrieu.
“It is worth noting that the Prime Minister has entered into a dialogue with the Kurdish leaders. The cease-fire seems to be holding, although there have been reports of serious incidents involving children. The negotiations have not yet started, moreover. And the process of decentralisation has stalled because discussions over the revision of the Constitution have come to a halt,” she pointed out.
“The desire to join the European Union, despite strong criticism and reservations on the part of the West, was confirmed to me in the comments made by the political leaders,” said the rapporteur, who went on to say that “Turkey is a country that is still experiencing strong growth and economic activity. It is also a key geostrategic power in the Mediterranean. The support of the Council of Europe and the EU are more essential than ever in these times of uncertainty. Such support should gradually contribute to the necessary stabilisation and improvement in Turkey’s democratic standards,” concluded the rapporteur.
Turkey-YouTube: PACE rapporteur welcomes Constitutional Court decision
Josette Durrieu (France, SOC), rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on “post-monitoring dialogue with Turkey”, has welcomed the Constitutional Court decision requiring the ban on YouTube to be lifted, a demand that had also been made by the Parliamentary Assembly.
“I invite the authorities to implement that decision without delay, thereby helping to safeguard freedom of information, a fundamental right, and demonstrating Turkey’s willingness to come into line with European standards and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. That decision again highlights the vital role played by Turkey’s Constitutional Court in the protection of fundamental freedoms”, concluded Ms Durrieu.