We may become lost in the details if we examine one by one the MİT, Internet and Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) laws, which were included in omnibus laws and passed hastily in Parliament.
But if we look at the bigger picture, we can see that the government is preparing the infrastructure for a new legal process. This infrastructure is being constructed on a pot stand. If any of the four legs of this stand are missing, the system which they [the government] want to establish will not function. All this legislation suggests one thing: The government is establishing the legal basis for an operation against the community [Hizmet movement]. Even though the government has already removed from duty thousands of people, including police officers and members of the judiciary, it would have difficulties persuading “civil servants” to launch an operation against the community. The community is also aware of this. They [Hizmet members] said they believe ordinary civil servants would not take part in a legal process against the community. And as the government is also aware of this fact, it is now preparing the legal infrastructure to carry out a problem-free operation against the community.
Pulitzer Prize equals five years in prison in Turkey
The statement in the headline belongs to Bülent Arınç, deputy prime minister and spokesperson for the Turkish government. Moreover, he is responsible for the government’s media policy. For Western readers, I should clarify that he was not joking when he said, “A journalist might win the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting, but he should face the consequence of five years in prison.”
Gülen’s lawyer rejects ‘letter of alliance’ to PKK
Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, whose ideas inspired the faith based Hizmet movement, denied claims made by the Sabah daily claiming that Gülen sent a letter of alliance to the PKK
Gülen’s lawyer: a civilian structure demonized by fictitious slurs
Nurullah Albayrak, the lawyer of Muslim scholar Fethullah Gülen, rejected the Sabah daily’s headline story on Monday titled “Parallel Council,” saying pro-government outlets aim to distract attention from anti-government corruption assertions by making false claims about the Hizmet movement.
Response to aspersion on Hizmet
HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) made an important statement on Thursday. Its press release, issued in connection with the recent tension that threatens to disrupt social consensus, seeks to defuse tension with regards to the rift between the government and the Hizmet movement. “[T]he ways in which legitimate demands are voiced should […]
Erzurum people call Minister Ala to apologize Gülen for his remarks
Gülen is highly respected both in Turkey and in many countries around the world for educational activities he has pioneered, along with his efforts to promote intercultural and interfaith activities around the globe. He is in self-imposed exile in the US, though there is no legal hurdle that prevents him from returning to Turkey.
Saving the soul of Turkey [amid the graft probe]
In terms of fundamental rights, Erdoğan does not tolerate any dissent or critical media at all. He publicly bashes reporters, labeling them traitors or foreign agents just because these members of the press corps are exercising their right to freedom of expression. Civic groups like Hizmet are unable to avoid his wrath as well and are easily accused of running “parallel structures” or “gangs” within the state apparatus with no shred of evidence to back these claims.
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