MEP: International investigation into Turkey’s rule of law needed


Date posted: January 21, 2014

 İSTANBUL

Ahead of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Brussels, Dutch member of the European Parliament Marietje Schaake, from the Democrats 66 party, has called for an independent international investigation into the rule of law in Turkey in light of the crisis in the country.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, Schaake stated: “The separation of powers is under immense pressure in Turkey and the rule of law is not upheld. This crisis also impacts the relations between the European Union and Turkey, because measures taken, such as political intervention with the judicial branch, are not in line with European rules. The independence of the judiciary has been a concern for Europe for much longer. I hope the current crisis in Turkey will be soon be resolved and that we can concentrate on the accession negotiations.”

The statement added that over the past month, politicians from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) have been accused of corruption and retaliated by accusing the judiciary of being infiltrated by supporters of the Hizmet movement with a hidden agenda.

Hundreds of police officers and public prosecutors have now been fired or removed from their files and Prime Minister Erdoğan has also accused the international community and financial markets of plotting against Turkey, Schaake said.

While Schaake remains convinced of the potential benefits of Turkish accession for both the EU and Turkey, the time has come to take a clear European stance against this unprecedented turmoil in Turkey, the statement added.

“My party has always emphasized the importance of a functioning rule of law, the separation of powers and respect for human rights in Turkey. The accession process can contribute to these principles, but the problems are now so immense that they need to be investigated independently. Because of the mistrust and polarization, an investigation led by an international committee of experts would have the greatest effect. The European Commission should propose this to Erdoğan and international partners,” said Schaake.

In response to the crisis, the Turkish government has once again cracked down on digital

freedoms, Schaake stressed, adding that “This is not the first time that freedom of speech, freedom of the press and digital freedom are being repressed in Turkey. These measures prove that the country is not full-fledged democracy yet.”

On Schaake’s initiative, digital freedoms are now an integral part of the accession criteria of the EU (Copenhagen Criteria). The European Parliament has called for the opening of the negotiation chapters on the rule of law and fundamental rights, but the member states have not unanimously supported take this step, the statement also added.

Source: Todays Zaman , January 21, 2014

Tags: | | | |


Related News

Religious communities under threat in Turkey

These operations might have targeted the government in some respects, but so far no concrete evidence has been produced about deliberate, systematic and willful inclusion of the Hizmet movement in this plot. It is true that the Hizmet movement’s media group has been lending support to the graft and bribery investigation.

‘Removal of Gülen’s books from NT shelves offends the public’

Former Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay has condemned a recent decision made by the new trustees of Kaynak Holding to have all copies of books written by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen removed from the shelves of NT bookstores across the country, saying that the “indecent” act of censorship offends the public.

HRW report: No evidence to accuse Gülen movement of terrorism

The Human Rights Watch’s latest world report states that there is no evidence to prove the charges of “terrorism” held against the Gülent movement, which is inspired by the teachings of prominent Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

Full-Fledged Hate Speech By Erdoğan: Gülen Movement Became ‘Unthinking Slaves’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has added new insults to his rich collection of hate speeches and defamation targeting Gülen movement on Wednesday and said that “Gülen movement members lost their way, and only follow orders from their owner Fethullah Gülen.”

Turkey’s Changing Freedom Deficit

Erdoğan’s government is by no means the first to compel Turkish citizens to hide their preferences and beliefs. Under the secular governments that ruled Turkey from the 1920s to 1950, and to some extent until 2002, pious Turks seeking advancement in government, the military, and even commerce had to downplay their religiosity and avoid signaling approval of political Islam.

University preparatory courses and the Hizmet movement in Turkey

Most (university) preparatory courses (in Turkey) are run by the Hizmet movement, and it is very clear that the government’s steps to close down such courses, an action against the movement, will negatively affect a great number of people. Many analysts said it is impossible for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which does not have a good relationship with the Hizmet movement, to close down preparatory courses in the run-up to the pre-election period.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Turkish teacher jailed over Gülen links dies in prison due to lack of medication

Turkish gov’t detains more than 70 women over their alleged financial support for jailed Gülen followers

Guests Rub Elbows With Senators, Mayors At 2012 Greenville Dialogue Dinner

FM Davutoğlu annuls decree ordering Turkish embassies to support Gülen Movement: Reports

‘PM conducting psychological warfare [against Hizmet movement] to cover graft claims’

PM’s son: Dad, let’s initiate an operation against Hizmet’s senior members

Abant Platform Proposes Mother Tongue Education

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News