Former Dutch FM: I don’t understand Erdoğan’s Hizmet hatred

Bernard Bot (Photo: Cihan)
Bernard Bot (Photo: Cihan)


Date posted: October 18, 2014

The Netherlands’ former foreign minister Bernard Bot has said that he cannot understand Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s hatred against the Hizmet movement, a social movement known for its cultural and educational activities.

Speaking to the Dutch daily Zaman Vandaag, Bot, who served as ambassador to Turkey between 1986 to 1989, stated that the Hizmet movement has nothing to do with terrorism and that he didn’t understand which part of the organization was dangerous, the private Cihan news agency reported on Friday.

Bot said: “I know people from the Netherlands who are affiliated with the Hizmet movement and I have discussed this topic with them. The Hizmet movement strives for good education, the well-being of humanity and future generations well. As someone looking in from the outside I don’t understand why this movement is a threat to the survival of the state.”

He continued: “(Islamic scholar) Fethullah Gülen has the right to state the misdoings of Erdoğan, as does every person in Holland. He’s [Gülen] not doing anything bad and the movement is not a terrorist movement. I don’t understand which part of it is dangerous.”

Regarding the Dec. 17 graft probe which implicated some members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Bot said European people are not fully aware of what is happening in Turkey.

“We hear of Erdoğan winning landslide elections right after corruption charges are brought. We see, therefore, [that] the Turkish populace is behind him. The picture isn’t always clear to us,” he said.

“As long as a country isn’t adversely affecting its neighbors you can’t interfere in their internal affairs. This is everyone’s own business. Only if the European Union resumes serious negotiation talks can there be any involvement [by other countries].” Added Bot.

With regard to the allegations of eavesdropping on Turkey by its allies such as Germany and the US, Bot said Erdoğan, just like other statesmen in the world, knows very well that countries spy on each other.

“Intelligence agencies have vested interests at this point. They even exchange information between themselves. As the NSA (the US’s National Security Agency) said, ‘If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to be afraid of.’ More properly put, we’ve been eavesdropping for years but this is only coming out now. As an expert in this field I can assure you everyone is listening to everyone. Whenever there is a chance, listening will take place. Everyone’s phone conversation can be listened to and saved,” Bot said.

Source: Today's Zaman , October 17, 2014


Related News

[Part 2] Islamic scholar Gülen says he cannot remain silent on corruption

The Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen , who inspired the Hizmet movement, a world-wide network active in education, charity and outreach, also stated that the government must provide evidence to back up its accusations.

CHP deputy calls Erdoğan’s order to bring down Hizmet ‘crime’

The CHP deputy pointed out it does not say the president can threaten or can give instructions to the MGK to bring down an organization.
According to this Monday’s Taraf daily, the ruling AK Party (Justice and Development Party) is planning to put forward a proposal to MGK to consider the Hizmet movement as illegal. Erdoğan hinted that the MGK would take action against “parallel structures.

AK Party founder: I don’t believe claims of parallel state

Yaşar Yakış, former foreign minister and a founding member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), criticized the party on Monday, saying he does not believe in the existence of a “parallel state,” a term used by the AK Party to describe followers of the faith-based Hizmet movement, which the government alleges to have formed an illegitimate structure within the state.

Should Hizmet establish a political party?

If the Hizmet movement had believed that services to Turkey can best be provided through politics, it would have done so from the beginning. Civil society has a special place in democracies. One can also serve the country by rejecting democratic pressures and upholding rule of law and individual freedoms.

Bank Asya answers smear campaign

Publicly traded Bank Asya roundly denied the ‘baseless rumors’ about its financial status via the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP). “There have been baseless smear and defamation campaign widely circulating in some press organizations and social media sites” read the statement. “Our bank will apply to the authorities to protect our legal rights in the face […]

Samanyolu permission to shoot Ramadan program in mosque

Requests submitted by the Samanyolu Group seeking permission for two of its stations to shoot programs in the gardens of two mosques in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul during the holy month of Ramadan have been turned down by the İstanbul Mufti’s Office.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Aydan Meydan from Bosna Sema School won the “Inspiring Educator Award”!

Arab world should embrace the Gülen model

40-day-old baby, mother under police custody for 4 days: opposition deputy

AKP official: Torture claims won’t be investigated if victims are Gülenists

Turkish Deputy PM rules out ‘ill will’ against Gülen community, unveils prep school draft details

Two volunteers of Gülen Movement reportedly abducted after released by Azerbaijani Court

Fears for Gulen-inspired Turkish schools in Pakistan grow

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News