TURKEY VOTES DOWN MILITARY RULE

With the constitutional reforms initiated by Turkey the country is changing its way from military dictatorship towards democracy; a welcome step, sorrowfully opposed by some people preaching democratic values.

Turkey moves towards democracy making amendments in its constitution, the leading newspaper of India The Hindu expressed great concerns over this in an editorial article dated September 17, 2010.

Among many reasons for concern it mentions that the Justice and Development party (AK) that called for the referendum for the amendments has been an advocate of wearing head scarves. It disapproves the party’s strained relations with the military and the Constitutional Court over the veil issue. The military which considers itself the guardian of the secular and unitary values of Turkey established by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk has been opposing veil in public institutions and the judiciary too is of the same view.

One amendment also seeks to curtail the judiciary, which has often acted as a limit on the powers of parliament, in tandem with the military.

The reform package comprising 26 amendments to the 1982 Constitution recently approved by 58% of Turkey’s voters paves the way towards a democratic Turkey.
It makes the military accountable to the civilian power and strengthens individual freedom. The Turkish army has been dominating the country and has great political influence in it. It had its role even in framing the 1982 Constitution. Between 1960 and 2000 the military has staged four coups.

One amendment also seeks to curtail the judiciary, which has often acted as a limit on the powers of parliament, in tandem with the military.

These amendments are expected to visualize the dream of a democratic Turkey where every citizen will be free to lead a life of their will. In a country that has 99% population adopting Islam as their religion, Muslims are not allowed to observe Islamic teachings. It all became possible only due to the clout of the Turkish army that in the name of protecting secular values have always opposed every practice symbolic to religion. While it may be argued whether the spirit of secularism remains if tolerance disappears and people’s freedom is crushed.

Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the ruling AK Party, the man behind these reformative steps ensuring abolishment of military dictatorship and allotment of freedom to every Turkish citizen has been maintaining that his efforts are meant only to bring the Constitution of Turkey closer in line with the European Union’s requirements for accession. The inclusion of Turkey in EU will mark the visualization of the dream the country cherished since long.

Replying to a question by a Holland journalist whether AK Party wanted to bring back Islamic Shari’ah in Turkey—a country that protected Islamic Caliphate for more than six centuries—Erdogan was frankly replied “See what we have done last four to five years. Our efforts for enlisting Turkey in the European Union exceed the efforts made by any other party in the history of Turkey. We formulated hundreds of laws that liberated the economy, considered human rights and strengthened them. If our intention was to make Turkey an Islamic country why should we have done all this?”
The recent amendments seem to be a step towards making the Turkish Constitution compatible with the European law which in the words of Erdogan can never be Islamic Shari’ah. It is surprising that this step towards democracy is seen with scepticism and complaints are made that “What really complicates the referendum is that the political party steering the government has its roots in political Islam.”

The reform package comprising 26 amendments to the 1982 Constitution recently approved by 58% of Turkey’s voters paves the way towards a democratic Turkey.

At this critical moment Erdogan needs support so that he can transform Turkey into a real secular democratic country with the help of the European Union.

Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the ruling AK Party, the man behind these reformative steps ensuring abolishment of military dictatorship and allotment of freedom to every Turkish citizen has been maintaining that his efforts are meant only to bring the Constitution of Turkey closer in line with the European Union’s requirements for accession.

The continuation of dictatorship will lead towards increase in extremism often resulting in retaliation by cruelty and injustice. It would not be wise to discourage such laudable steps merely because the men behind this are associated with Islam. Almost 99% of Turkey’s population is Muslim.


By: Junaid Maseeh
junaidmaseeh@yahoo.com