"Senior judge’s strange relations raise eyebrows
Senior judge’s strange relations raise eyebrows
A secret meeting between a senior judge at the Constitutional Court and a top army commander at a politically critical time for Turkey that was uncovered by the Taraf daily last Friday has raised suspicions about the influence of the Turkish military on the court's rulings.Shadow over Constitutional Court
The Republican People's Party (CHP) had appealed to the Constitutional Court for the annulment of a constitutional amendment that allowed the wearing of the headscarf at institutions of higher education.AKP Defence (in Turkish and English)
The second defence is pending and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal has asserted that all of Turkey’s current problems stem from Abdullah Gül having been elected as president.When asked whether early elections may be held soon, Baykal said Turkey doesn’t need early elections. Baykal also said the Constitutional Court had not overstepped its authority last week when it annulled a package of constitutional amendments that would have allowed students to wear the Muslim headscarf at university.Constitutional law controversy
The following article by Ilter Turkmen is refreshing.Its simple explains why the Turkish Constitutional Court decision to halt the execution of constitutional changes, proposed by the party that would have allowed the wearing of the Islamic headscarf in universities, has no legal basis.
Two sentences are really interesting in this article:
How dare you not love Atatürk?!
Mustafa AKYOLHigh time for post-Kemalism
President Abdullah Gül has said that the current political turmoil in Turkey began with the appeal for the closure of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal responded to Gül by saying, "Some others may come out and say that the turmoil started with you getting elected as president."Who is in control of ‘the process’?
Nobody. As if it is in an ongoing chain reaction, Turkey has become a dangerous laboratory where the magnitude of prospective explosions is unpredictable. It looks, to use another metaphor, like a bus rolling down the hill, bumping into this and that, with no clue in sight as to where and how it will stop.[MONDAY TALK]Öktem: So-called intellectuals pump up fascism in Turkey
Professor Niyazi Öktem, who teaches the philosophy and sociology of law at İstanbul Bilgi University's law faculty, has said if "so-called Turkish intellectuals" continue to provoke the military and civilian groups against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Turkey might find itself in a situation similar to that of Germany when it was ruled by Adolf Hitler.Top court condemns criticisms over headscarf ruling
In another episode of the ongoing government-judiciary squabble, the country's top court Friday harshly responded to criticisms by government circles over the annulment of the headscarfThe real electorate: young military officers
The only beneficial thing the recent series of crises have brought about is that every day more and more people are becoming aware of the true nature of our regime. It is a kind of democracy, but one of a kind.Militant secularism by MÜMTAZ’ER TÜRKÖNE
Professor Sami Selçuk is a renowned lawyer who served in eminent posts in the Turkish judicial system. He gave a long speech in 1999 as president of the Supreme Court of Appeals. Judicial reform becomes obligatory by EKREM BUĞRA EKİNCİ
Following the arrival of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in power, the democratic and liberal remarks it made and its enthusiastic support for the EU inspired hope in many that comprehensive reforms would be realized in the political system.Re-embedding Turkey’s secularist institutions by EVREN TOK
The Constitutional Court's decision to annul changes to a headscarf ban in universities has fostered discussions focused not only on issues regarding the endangered Turkish democracy, but also, albeit indirectly, on the dilemma and paradox of the secular nation-state and its institutions, with both the military and the judicial mechanism this time aiming to revitalize the contradictions of Turkish modernity.[CROSS READER] AK Party closure case overshadows Alevi issue
The resignation of an Alevi deputy from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Reha Çamuroğlu, from his post as consultant within the party has brought Turkey's Alevi problem back to the agenda.Sezer's court appointments
I have no idea what sort of conversations took place at the "very wonderful dinner" that was hosted recently at retired Ambassador Faruk Loğoğlu's home, though there can be little doubt that the important names invited to this gathering did not come together just to discuss football.Court stuck in the pincers of criticism
The criticism directed at the Constitutional Court over the past week is out in the open for everyone to witness and hear.The art of approaching decision makers in Turkey
It is important to approach decision makers in Turkey in order to make things to go smoothly. For the businessman, politician or bureaucrat, it may be vital to get through to the decision maker.The Rise of Political Islam in Turkey
Source: RAND CorporationSecularism Vs Democracy in Turkey
By Pierre AtlasISTANBUL--Western scholars and pundits often debate whether Islam and democracy are compatible. In Turkey, a Muslim-majority country that straddles Europe and Asia culturally as well as geographically, the fundamental question may be whether Turkey's hard-line secularism and democracy are compatible."
