Is Turkey deviating from European standards as determined by European Parliament?
Despite long years of determination and effort to enter the EU, Turkey has not been able to achieve this target yet. It goes without saying the political administrations (to include previous and current ones) have not managed to deserve an appraisal all along.
In fact the administration in power for the last 2 decades has not displayed a consistent approach and performance in this direction, all along. When we look at the picture today we cannot say, “Turkey is not in the right direction on the way to integrating to EU”.
Regarding this issue Emre KONGAR and author and an opinion leader has written an important article. We are sharing some important parts from said article down below.
“….Despite the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which initiated a “violation process” against Turkey for not releasing Kavala, stated on September 22nd that there was “no reasonable evidence to support that he committed a crime” and said that all measures should be taken to ensure his immediate release.
The statement also noted that the approximately one year and five months it took for the Constitutional Court to examine Kavala’s application was not “sufficiently fast.”
The Committee expressed its “deep regret” that Kavala’s detention continued despite multiple decisions aimed at ensuring his immediate release. The Committee also stated that if there was no progress in the Demirtaş case, the matter would be reconsidered in December 2023.
HISTORICAL WARNING TO TURKEY’S HSK REGARDING CASES
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe also issued a historical warning to Turkey’s Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) regarding the cases. Despite serious problems with the rule of law, the Committee expressed its “deep regret” that officials once again insisted on their previous arguments about the “independence and impartiality of the HSK.” The statement also said that the HSK should “take inspiration from the relevant standards of the Council of Europe, especially regarding the structural independence of the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors.”
TURKEY’S DEVIATION FROM RULE OF LAW CONCEPT
While Turkey’s deviation from the concept of the Rule of Law specified in the Constitution and its criticism by the Council of Europe regarding the Demirtaş and particularly Kavala cases are recorded in history, the leader of the Turkey are declaring that the country is turning back towards Europe.
However, at this very moment, the European Parliament, the highest body of the European Union, determines that Turkey has deviated from European standards. Thus, in addition to the Council of Europe, the European Union is also taking important decisions to exclude Turkey.
ARE COUNTRY’S RELATIONS WITH EUROPE DETERIORATING?
As the leaders of the country, claiming that Turkey is turning back to Europe, the country’s relations with Europe are rapidly deteriorating due to unjust and unlawful practices, and the country is gradually being dragged towards the image of an undemocratic Middle Eastern state.”
Excerpt from article by EMRE KONGAR (a prominent author and an opinion leader) on CUMHURIYET.com.tr
