Erdogan’s options: to propose and sponsor amendments at the US parliament or to provide evidence against Gulen


Date posted: September 28, 2016

Kunle Oladimeji

The U. S. Department of Justice, the American justice system and the judicial proceedings in Washington has maintained the position of the law as provided in the constitution of the States, which has tightened the loose demands of President Recep Erdogan to bring to him dead or alive the body of the Islamic scholar, Fethulah Gulen at the 1, 000 room home of the president in Turkey.

In a recent interview with Reuters, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that the United States should “not harbour a terrorist” like U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen and that his activities should be banned around the world.

At separate meetings between President Barrack Obama, U.S. Vice president Joe Biden and President Recep Erdogan of Turkey, the American justice system has technically made it very difficult and imposable for the unlawful demands of Erdogan to be met.

Unfortunately for Erdogan, the US constitution is commonly described as being very rigid. This stems from the fact that it is codified – laid down in one singular sovereign document, which sets out both the powers and limitations of each distinct branch of government.

President Obama has stated very clearly to his Turkish counterpart that the US presidency has no power over extradition, but strictly the responsibility of the courts and the US Department of Justice.

Furthermore, the US has a notoriously difficult amendment process like Nigeria, first a bill must be passed in both houses of Congress with a super-majority of two-thirds, and then it goes to the states, where three-quarters of state legislatures must approve of it.

Thus, it is very difficult to get an amendment proposed, that explains why there have only been twenty seven successful attempts to amend the US constitution in over 200 years.

However, the options available to Erdogan are number one, to propose and sponsor amendments at the US parliament, number two, is to provide evidences to his claims against Gulen.

It is difficult to believe or imagine that the President of Turkey or any other President for that matter can advocate for a restriction in exercising one’s fundamental rights to associate, express one-self and be involve in any form of business or legitimate transactions around the world.

That of course is one of the demands by Erdogan compelling the US government to ban the activities of Gulen around the world; perhaps the thinking of the Turkish president is that the US government has a domineering network of powers to prevail on countries globally to enforce his stance on a particular matter.

There is absolutely something the Turkish president is hiding from the general public; he has not told the world what exactly he has against Fethullah Gulen, arising from his demands, and his resolve to use the instrumentality of government available to him to silence Fethullah Gulen and the Hizmet participants all over the world.

In the time past, kings reserve the draconian privileges to demand for the head of a subject and it will be delivered to him, but certainly not this time when dynamic laws have been put together to give limitations and as well give freedom to citizens.

The fear around Erdogan has been the growing influence and followership of Gulen movement, which seek to address poverty, illiteracy, deprivation, unemployment, fundamental rights, liberties and freedom of the people.

There is growing desperation within the state of Turkey heightened by President Erdogan to ensure that Fethullah Gulen is brought back to Turkey to use the instrumentality of the state to incarcerate Gulen, and worse, eliminate him.

Authorities have cracked down on schools, media and businesses associated to Gulen since the July coup. Turkey has sacked or suspended more than 100,000 soldiers, police and civil servants since the failed coup on suspicion of links to Gulen’s network. At least 40,000 have been detained.

Turkish officials say Gulen has built up a network of followers over decades inside the armed forces and the civil service to take over the reign of power in Turkey, and if this is achieved through a democratic process, there is absolutely nothing wrong in power changing hands.

Earlier, Erdogan has said Washington has no excuse not to hand over Gulen to him as demanded, but this is an expression of ignorance and lack of wisdom on the side of Turkey, just like the proverb which says that “If the gods want to kill a man, they first make him mad.” Apparently, the Turkish President is not empowered by any provision to compel the US to succumb to his demands.

Erdogan said Turkey will extend the state of emergency, even though critics have said that the extension purported by the state is a deliberate plot by Mr. President to rule by fiat without any recourse to the parliament.

The President of Turkey said, “It can be extended for three months or one month or even more, Gulen’s people have infiltrated everywhere … we will continue to identify and arrest the plotters, extending the state of emergency will help this process.”

Turkey has accused the EU of double standards in criticizing the crackdown while showing hesitation in condemning the coup. Turkey’s ties with the United States also are strained over Washington’s support for the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which it considers a terrorist group. The YPG has been among the most effective partners on the ground in the U.S.-led fight against the Islamic State militias.

Source: Leadership , September 28, 2016


Related News

German spy agency chief says does not believe Gulen behind Turkey coup attempt

The Turkish government has failed to convince Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency that U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen was behind last summer’s failed coup in Turkey, the BND head told a German magazine.

Police and inspectors raid Gülen-inspired schools in Çanakkale

In yet another government-orchestrated operation targeting the faith-based Gülen movement, popularly known as the Hizmet movement, police officers and inspectors from several ministries and institutions conducted raids at schools established by volunteers of the movement early on Wednesday in the northwestern city of Çanakkale.

International Festival of Language and Culture 2016

The IFLC has been hosting its language and culture festival for the past 14 years, showcasing both the rich multicultural diversity of our world, as well as the boundless and inspiring talent of our youth. The IFLC draws participants from over 160 countries across the globe, with over 1000 student performers each year at numerous regional events worldwide.

Rainer Hermann interviews Fethullah Gulen – Do good and let it unfold

Rainer Hermann The Turkish preacher Fethullah Gülen has been living in the United States for 13 years now. A widely branched network of followers developed also there in his name. There is no road sign indicating the exit and the dirt track. It leads you through a foggy broadleaf forest colored in all the shades […]

Gülen’s lawyer files lawsuit over unlawful police probe into Hizmet

Nurullah Albayrak, lawyer for Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, has filed a lawsuit against a police chief who issued a written order to 30 provinces to launch a sweeping campaign into the faith-based Hizmet movement on what Albayrak says are trumped-up charges.

Muslim Leader Condemns Synagogue Killings

Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish Muslim preacher who lives in exile in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania and is sought by the Ankara for alleged involvement in the 2016 coup attempt there, condemned the massacre at the synagogue in Pennsylvania.

Latest News

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

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

Filipino student wins prestigious Turkish Olympiad song contest

An in-depth Interview with TUSKON President Meral

Frontal assault on free enterprise in Turkey: The case of prep-schools

Practicing Muslims and social (in)justice

PII Awards Law Enforcement in New Jersey

“Sharing Coexistence Experiences” panel took place in Italy

Turkish community in Springfield area to host Turkish bazaar, conference

Copyright 2023 Hizmet News