EU Progress report: No concrete steps in Kurdish opening
EU Progress report: No concrete steps in Kurdish opening
The European Commission has released its annual progress report on Turkey. The report stated that Turkey is continuing with its reform process however, there have been no concrete steps taken in terms of Kurdish ‘opening’. While stressing the fact that it is important to support the endeavours for the solution of the Kurdish problem the Commission also pronounced its concern about village guard system and freedom of expression.
The report also addressed the reform process in Turkey and constitutional amends as well as structure change of Constitutional Court and the Higher Commission of Prosecutors and Judges. The report further pointed out that trade union rights have been extended and necessary basis to protect women and children rights have been established.
Concerning the Kurdish problem the Commission stated that the government have partially complied with its Kurdish opening which came to public in August 2009. The report follows: “It is important to support the attempts for solving the Kurdish problem. In order to avoid disproportionate arrests in relation to terror crimes and improve the human rights situation in the region necessary amendments should be done in the anti-terror law. Land mines and villages guard system are remaining as source of concern.”
Pressure on the Kurdish Media
Reminding the fact that the investigation about the attack on a bookshop in Semdinli has been suspended the report stated that the pressure on the Kurdish language press and press covering the Kurdish problem is increasing. It is also stated that Kurdish daily Azadiya Welat has been shut down several times and the journalist have been punished on account of disseminating propaganda for terror.
The report also stated that although there are some improvements in terms of right to assembly some demonstrations in the south east are turning violent.
Police impunity
The report further stated that the law on competence of police of 2007 cause problems in the south east. Impunity of police officers decreases the efficiency of criminal and administrative investigations against police officers using excessive and disproportionate violence.
Closure of DTP confirms the need for constitutional amendments
Concerning the right to assembly the report reminds that there are several NGO and organisations which have been closed in Turkey and closure of DTP confirms the need for constitutional amendments.
Freedom of religion and belief
The report stated that the religion lessons in Turkey remain compulsory and Turkey has failed to implement the ECHR judgement in which compulsory religion lessons have been found contrary to the ECHR optional protocol Nr. 1
Women representation in politics and trade unions are weak
The report also stated that although there have been improvements in terms of women rights and the equality between sexes the violence against women continues and the women representation in politics and trade unions remains weak.
Boarding schools are not safe
It is stated that there are 200 thousand children receiving education at boarding schools, mostly in the east and south east Turkey. The Commission pronounced its concern on the security of the children in these schools and stated that an objective and transparent investigation is needed for the incidents which also have been covered by the press.
Trade Union rights are not compatible with the EU norms
The report also stated that the trade union rights in Turkey are not compatible with EU and ILO norms.
Kurdish remains forbidden in politics
While welcoming the improvements in terms of Kurdish language the EU report reminded the fact that all the languages other than Turkish remain illegal to be used in politics under the law on elections and the courts have delivered contradictory decisions regarding the use of Kurdish.
The report also criticized Turkish for the lack of the opportunity to learn mother tongue at private and public schools. It is also stated that those who can speak languages other than Turkish are not employed in public services and interpreters are not present at the interrogations although it is possible under the law.
Regarding the use of Kurdish language at prisons the report stressed the different practices by the prison administrations on account of security problems.
The government has failed to implement the opening
The report also stated that the government has failed to the implement the opening as it was expected.
It is also mentioned that elected BDP mayors and NGO representatives are on trial within the scope of the KCK case.
Restriction on the freedom of expression is worrying
The report also stated that restrictions on the freedom of expression under anti-terror law remain as a concern.
No measures regarding Village Guard System
The report also criticised the lack of any precautions against the village guard problem. It also stated that the practice to compensate the damages of internally displaced people is ineffective.
The report also addressed the reform process in Turkey and constitutional amends as well as structure change of Constitutional Court and the Higher Commission of Prosecutors and Judges. The report further pointed out that trade union rights have been extended and necessary basis to protect women and children rights have been established.
Concerning the Kurdish problem the Commission stated that the government have partially complied with its Kurdish opening which came to public in August 2009. The report follows: “It is important to support the attempts for solving the Kurdish problem. In order to avoid disproportionate arrests in relation to terror crimes and improve the human rights situation in the region necessary amendments should be done in the anti-terror law. Land mines and villages guard system are remaining as source of concern.”
Pressure on the Kurdish Media
Reminding the fact that the investigation about the attack on a bookshop in Semdinli has been suspended the report stated that the pressure on the Kurdish language press and press covering the Kurdish problem is increasing. It is also stated that Kurdish daily Azadiya Welat has been shut down several times and the journalist have been punished on account of disseminating propaganda for terror.
The report also stated that although there are some improvements in terms of right to assembly some demonstrations in the south east are turning violent.
Police impunity
The report further stated that the law on competence of police of 2007 cause problems in the south east. Impunity of police officers decreases the efficiency of criminal and administrative investigations against police officers using excessive and disproportionate violence.
Closure of DTP confirms the need for constitutional amendments
Concerning the right to assembly the report reminds that there are several NGO and organisations which have been closed in Turkey and closure of DTP confirms the need for constitutional amendments.
Freedom of religion and belief
The report stated that the religion lessons in Turkey remain compulsory and Turkey has failed to implement the ECHR judgement in which compulsory religion lessons have been found contrary to the ECHR optional protocol Nr. 1
Women representation in politics and trade unions are weak
The report also stated that although there have been improvements in terms of women rights and the equality between sexes the violence against women continues and the women representation in politics and trade unions remains weak.
Boarding schools are not safe
It is stated that there are 200 thousand children receiving education at boarding schools, mostly in the east and south east Turkey. The Commission pronounced its concern on the security of the children in these schools and stated that an objective and transparent investigation is needed for the incidents which also have been covered by the press.
Trade Union rights are not compatible with the EU norms
The report also stated that the trade union rights in Turkey are not compatible with EU and ILO norms.
Kurdish remains forbidden in politics
While welcoming the improvements in terms of Kurdish language the EU report reminded the fact that all the languages other than Turkish remain illegal to be used in politics under the law on elections and the courts have delivered contradictory decisions regarding the use of Kurdish.
The report also criticized Turkish for the lack of the opportunity to learn mother tongue at private and public schools. It is also stated that those who can speak languages other than Turkish are not employed in public services and interpreters are not present at the interrogations although it is possible under the law.
Regarding the use of Kurdish language at prisons the report stressed the different practices by the prison administrations on account of security problems.
The government has failed to implement the opening
The report also stated that the government has failed to the implement the opening as it was expected.
It is also mentioned that elected BDP mayors and NGO representatives are on trial within the scope of the KCK case.
Restriction on the freedom of expression is worrying
The report also stated that restrictions on the freedom of expression under anti-terror law remain as a concern.
No measures regarding Village Guard System
The report also criticised the lack of any precautions against the village guard problem. It also stated that the practice to compensate the damages of internally displaced people is ineffective.
