TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No.
48/13
8/3/13
1. ABHABER publishes a
statement by the European Commission on the honey issue
2. Cyprus among the
issues discussed during Davutoglu’s contacts in the UK
3. Turkish Parliament
Speaker Cicek discussed in Finland the Cyprus problem
4. German Green of
Turkish origin wants the financial aid towards the Republic of Cyprus
to be tied to island’s political problem
5. Turkey close to EU
membership, says Swedish ambassador to Ankara
6.
Talat: “The Cyprus problem is a permanent poison”
7. Tacoy and Ulucay go
to Strasbourg
8. So-called minister
Ustel continues contacts in Berlin; he met with the Minister of
Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan
9. 299 mosques and 323
religious officers in the occupied area of Cyprus
10.
A protest by Baraka
11. Judiciary reform
in Turkey bid sparks controversy
12. Turkish army
supports a four-dimensioned strategy on the Kurdish problem
13. The position of
women in Turkey: 366 women raped or abused while in custody in the
last 16 years; rate of female engagement in workforce has decreased
1.
ABHABER
publishes a statement by the European Commission on the honey issue
ABHABER
website (07.03.13) publishes the following statement by the European
Commission:
“In
January 2013, the Commission authorised the trade of honey across the
Green Line.
Before
trade could start, sample tests had to take place on the honey's
compliance with EU standards on residue of pesticides and
antibiotics. Those tests have now taken place in approved
laboratories by independent experts appointed by the Commission, and
will be repeated each year.
The
authorisation to trade honey stems from a Commission Decision taken
in 2007, for which the Republic of Cyprus voted in favour in the
relevant committee, and is based on the Green Line Regulation
approved in 2004.
The
Commission underlines that it expects that trade will not be hindered
and that there will be no blockages for the Turkish Cypriot honey
production concerned.’’
2.
Cyprus
among the issues discussed during Davutoglu’s contacts in the
UKAnkara
Anatolia news agency (07.03.13) reports that the Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held a series of talks with his counterparts
as well as with officials from the European Union and the United
Nations on the sidelines of a London meeting of the Group of Yemen's
Friends.
Davutoglu talks addressed
the Syria crisis, the Cyprus problem, Turkey's relations with the EU,
and latest developments in Yemen.
Davutoglu separately met
Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi, German Foreign Minister
Guido Westerwelle, Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs Khalid
Bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, and EU's High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Catherine Ashton, United Nations
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and
United Nations Special Adviser on Yemen Jamal Benomar.
3.
Turkish
Parliament Speaker Cicek discussed in Finland the Cyprus
problemAnkara
Anatolia news agency (07.03.13) reports that the Turkish Parliament
Speaker Cemil Cicek was received by the Finnish President Sauli
Niinisto in Helsinki.
During his visit in
Finland, Cemil Cicek first met with his Finnish counterpart Eero
Heinaluoma and later attended a luncheon hosted in his honor.
Following the luncheon
Cicek and Heinaluoma held a joint press conference.
"We discussed
bilateral relations. We had a chance to evaluate the point where
Turkey is at in its EU relations," Cicek noted. "Turkey has
certain expectations. We talked on the 2020 Izmir EXPO, summer
Olympics and Cyprus problem," Cicek said.
"Finland is a
country with which we would like to develop relations with in every
field," Cicek underlined. "Finland supports Turkish
membership in the EU and this is our aim," Cicek stressed.
"It was as if the
friends met. We discussed the EU and economy with Mr. Cicek. We
conveyed Finland's support to Turkey's EU membership,"
Heinaluoma stressed. Asked by a journalist if there has been a delay
in Turkey's EU membership Heinaluoma underlined that "if a
country fulfills the (EU) criteria, it has to reach the result
desired."
In response to a question
on Syria, Heinaluoma said that "unless more effective role is
assumed, the incidents in Syria will not reach a solution".
Cicek and his
parliamentary delegation later proceeded to the Finnish Presidential
Residence. Cemil Cicek was received by the Finnish President Sauli
Niinisto. Cicek's meeting with President Niinisto took place behind
closed doors.
4.
German
Green of Turkish origin wants the financial aid towards the Republic
of Cyprus to be tied to island’s political problem
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (08.03.13) reports that Turkish
origin Cem
Ozdemir, joint chairperson of the Germany's opposition Greens party,
alleged that Europe should make a bailout for the Republic of Cyprus
conditional on reviving talks about reunification of the island.
"In
the debate about financial help for Cyprus the question of
reunification of the island does not figure, regrettably,"
Ozdemir alleged. "I believe this issue should be on the table as
well as the need to reduce the banking sector, fight money laundering
and end wage dumping," he said.
According
to the paper, the Berlin government responded skeptically to
Özdemir's call. One official, who asked not to be named, said it
"would introduce a political element into the talks which would
be difficult to measure".
"The
new Greek Cypriot president, Anastasiades, is someone we can really
deal with," said Özdemir. It was not clear whether Ozdemir’s
comments were a personal view or the party line but they have not
been echoed by other Greens.
5.
Turkey
close to EU membership, says Swedish ambassador to Ankara
Ankara Anatolia news
agency (07.03.13) reports that the Swedish Ambassador in Ankara Hakan
Akesson has said: "Turkey is very close to become a member of EU
as it is both financially and economically important for EU."
Akesson told AA that
Turkey had made significant reforms in last decade and was still
making new reforms. They attached special importance to steps taken
during preparation of the new constitution, which were important also
for Turkey on its path to become an EU member, stated Akesson.
Akesson said that Turkey
was important for EU in terms of politics and economy. "In this
respect, EU needs Turkey and Turkey needs EU."
He added that Sweden
supported Turkey's membership bid and said, "Turkey's EU
membership process has started in 2005. Sweden is very happy for it.
We need to look forward and exert efforts to finish this process
successfully. Turkey is preparing to become a member of EU and it has
to fulfill other reforms, too, for the membership. One of the most
important reforms is the latest studies on the new constitution.
Turkey is very close to become a member of EU. We believe that
Turkey's membership would contribute a lot to EU. The completion of
Turkey's membership to EU is depended on new reforms and efforts. We
support these and hope the process would conclude in a short time.
Turkey means a lot for EU, both politically and economically."
Akesson said democracy,
human rights and superiority of law are common values of the member
countries of EU. "Now, there is a huge Muslim population in EU.
So, the common values of EU member countries should not be correlated
to religion."
6.
Talat:
“The Cyprus problem is a permanent poison”
Under
the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (08.03.13) reports
that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in statements
to a televised program evaluated several issues including the Cyprus
problem.
Referring
to the Cyprus problem, Talat stated that the Cyprus problem is a
permanent poison due to which Turkey’s ties with the international
community are being damaged, as he said.
Referring
to Eroglu’s latest statement that the non-agreement is also an
agreement, Talat said: “Dervis’ demand anyway, is this”. Talat
added that with this approaches there is a possibility for the
negotiations to be blundered.
As
regards President Anastasiades’ election, Talat said that as he
knows, Anastasiades will put forward the confidence building
measures, adding that he does not know which these will be.
Replying
to another question, Talat alleged that Turkey and the Turkish
Cypriot side need more the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Evaluating
the rumors
that the so-called foreign minister will be appointed as “negotiator”
at the Cyprus negotiation talks, Talat said that this issue came up
because of two reasons; because Anastasiades has stated that he will
appoint another person to be the “negotiator” and second because
of the dispute over the UBP congress and the possibility for revenge
against Eroglu.
(AK)
7.
Tacoy
and Ulucay go to Strasbourg
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis (08.03.13) reports that the so-called assembly
approved unanimously the decision that Hasan Tacoy, so-called deputy
of the National Unity Party (UBP), and Teberruken Ulucay, so-called
deputy of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), to attend the plenary
session of the European Parliament that will be held in Strasbourg
between 12-14 of March.
8.
So-called
minister Ustel continues contacts in Berlin; he met with the Minister
of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis (08.03.13) reports that the so-called minister
of tourism, environment and culture Unal Ustel who attended yesterday
the opening of the ITB Berlin 2013 Tourism Fair, met yesterday in the
framework of his contacts in Berlin, with the Minister of Culture and
Tourism of Azerbaijan, Ebulfes Carayev.
According
to the paper, Ustel discussed with Carayev issues related to tourism,
mutual charter flights, the participation of “north Cyprus” as
the occupation regime is called to a tourism fair that will be
organized in Azerbaijan, the cooperation between the two countries on
theatre and the issue of the mutual tourists exchanged.
The
ITB Berlin Tourism Fair will be open until the 10th of March, writes
the paper.
Also,
Ustel visited yesterday the “representation offices” of the
occupation regime in Berlin where he met with the “representative”
of the occupation regime in Berlin, Turgay Hilmi and his
“undersecretary” Sahap Asikoglu.
In
statements there, Ustel underlined the importance of Germany for the
transferring of tourists in the “TRNC”, as well as for trade.
Referring
to the participation of the occupation regime in ITB Berlin Fair,
Ustel said that the “ministry” participates at the fair every
year. He added that the reflections of their participation to the
fair were very positive, since, as he said, the number of charter
flights, as well as the tourist stream were increased. Ustel went on
and expressed also the belief that with the opening of their
“representation office” in Berlin, the tourist stream will be
increased more.
(AK)
9.
299
mosques and 323 religious officers in the occupied area of Cyprus
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (08.03.13), the so-called deputy
of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Mustafa Emiroglulari, speaking
yesterday to the “assembly” of the “TRNC parliament”, thanked
the so-called religious affairs department, which has sent him the
data of the mosques operating in the occupied part of the Republic of
Cyprus after his request. He added that this data is the answer of
those who argue that the Turkish Cypriots are not religious persons.
According
to the announcement by the so-called religious affairs department,
299 mosques operate in the occupied part of Cyprus with 323 religious
officers. The 233 religious officers are paid by the budget of the
breakaway regime, while the 90 officers by the so-called Turkish
embassy in the occupied area of Cyprus.
10.
A
protest by Baraka
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeniduzen (08.03.13) reports that Baraka Cultural
Association held yesterday a protest in front of Turkey’s so-called
embassy in the occupied part of Lefkosia against the
water transportation from Turkey.
According
to a press release issued yesterday, Baraka argued that the
“intergovernmental framework agreement on meeting the water
requirement of the TRNC” between Turkey and the breakaway regime is
an agreement that will drag them straight to slavery and to make them
a province, and as a matter of fact the water that they will bring to
their “country” will seize their will-power as well as to take
away from them the independence on their production of agriculture
goods.
11.
Judiciary
reform in Turkey bid sparks controversy
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.03.13) reports that Turkey’s fourth
judicial package hits Parliament amid growing controversy and
disappointment,
as many expect it will fail to meet expectations.
The long-awaited fourth
judicial package sparked controversy when it arrived in Parliament on
March 7, but is not likely to satisfy the high expectations that have
built up over time in its current state, particularly concerning the
situation of convicts charged with membership to a “terrorist”
organization.
The package’s main
amendments relate to creating propaganda for terrorism and terror
organizations and the package does not currently allow for the
release of detainees in cases concerning the Kurdistan Communities
Union (KCK), the alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK), as their cases relate more to charges of
membership in a “terrorist” organization rather than propaganda
charges.
There is also no
amendment in the package that might positively influence the
situation of detained lawmakers, an issue that has concerned all
three opposition parties as they each have at least one lawmaker
behind bars.
Nonetheless,
this is not the final phase for the 21-article package and it may
well be changed in line with expectations at the commission-level
debates by motions from the ruling Justice and Development Party
(AKP). Future actions by the ruling party concerning the package, are
seen to be related to the resolution process, since it is assumed
that the government might use the issue as a bargaining tool during
the resolution process.
Apparently
aware of such assumptions, AKP Deputy Chair and Spokesperson Hüseyin
Celik, told a press conference, didn’t wait for reporters’
questions in order to once more make it clear that the package is not
at all related to the process, which aims to end conflict between
security forces and the PKK.
Articles 6 and 7 of the
Anti-Terror Law (TMK) and Article 220/8 of the Turkish Penal Code
(TCK), which are all related to creating propaganda for terrorism and
terror organizations, were amended in a way that limits the scope of
propaganda crime. Yet, amendments are not sufficient for the release
of KCK convicts.
Human
rights defenders as well as executives from the Peace and Democracy
Party (BDP), have argued that most of the detainees in the KCK case
were arrested because they expressed dissenting opinions or attended
demonstrations. The BDP maintains that there is no charge of violence
against them.
A
considerable number of KCK case detainees are also members of the
BDP. While noting their law commission was still examining the
package, BDP deputy Parliamentary Group Chair İdris Baluken didn’t
hide his disappointment.
“Before everything
else, Article 314 of the Turkish Penal Code [concerning membership of
an armed organization] is not mentioned at all. Most of our friends
in jail are being tried with reference to this article,” Baluken
said. The BDP’s Şırnak deputy, Hasip Kaplan, was harsher in his
criticism of the judicial reforms package. “This package, which has
been much advertised, is empty.”
Instead
of expanding freedom of expression, the package brings heavier
clauses to limit this freedom, Kaplan said. “In its current form,
the package does not make any contribution to this process and,
furthermore is introducing new penalties that would lead to
completely forbidding politics,” he said.
If the reform package is
adopted there will no longer be a statute of limitations for crimes
of torture. The package also includes an amendment that anticipates
the retrial for cases subjected to examination by the Committee of
Ministers of the Council of Europe since June, 15, 2012.
12.
Turkish
army supports a four-dimensioned strategy on the Kurdish problem
Under the title “Let
the old names of the regions come back”, Turkish daily Sabah
newspaper (08.03.13) reports that the Turkish Armed Forces has
organized a workshop regarding the ongoing solution process aimed at
the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) laying down arms. Attention to
the importance of the democratization process was drawn during the
workshop, which was organized on 6-7 February with the participation
of various state institutions such as the Prime Minister’s office,
the General Staff and the ministries of foreign and internal, affairs
and justice, as well as the gendarmerie and the National Intelligence
Service (MIT).
During the workshop they
underlined the necessity of continuing the armed struggle with what
they called “terror” and they adopted a four dimensioned solution
strategy prepared by the Wise Men Centre for Strategic Studies
(BILGESAM). The four dimensions are:
1)
Democratization:
This includes strengthening of the “feeling of belonging” of the
Kurdish citizens, facilitating the use and the teaching of the
Kurdish language, meeting people’s expectations on the issue of the
place names in the area, increasing the quality of the public
services in the area etc.
2)
International
dimension:
This includes maintaining the army’s ability for cross border
operations, developing a strategy regarding the organization’s
(PKK) existence and activities in Europe and often issuing statements
saying that Turkey expects other countries to show the same
sensitivity on the issue of “terror”.
3)
Socioeconomic
and cultural dimension:
This includes changing the excessive nationalistic elements in the
school books, developing a common history consciousness, preaching in
the Kurdish language in some places, improving the physical
conditions in the schools, increasing the productivity of the
agricultural organizations in the area by reforming these
organizations etc.
4)
Security
dimension:
Extinguishing the PKK in the area, ending the so-called separatist
activities, exerting efforts in other dimensions simultaneously with
carrying out the armed struggle with the “terrorists”, conducting
surgical strikes against the PKK based on intelligence, preventing
the financing of the organization from the area etc.
(I/Ts.)
13.
The
position of women in Turkey: 366 women raped or abused while in
custody in the last 16 years; rate of female engagement in workforce
has decreased
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.03.13) reports that during the last 16 years, at least 83 women have been raped in custody while 366 women have been sexually assaulted, according to a new report published by the Legal Assistance Office against Abuse and Rape in Custody.
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.03.13) reports that during the last 16 years, at least 83 women have been raped in custody while 366 women have been sexually assaulted, according to a new report published by the Legal Assistance Office against Abuse and Rape in Custody.
The major part of the
complaints was filed by women living in the East and Southeast of
Turkey. According to the report, 45 of the victims are between 10-18
years.
A total of 159 trials
have been opened following the complaints since the foundation of the
legal office in 1997, however a large number of women refused any
legal procedure by fear. 28 of these cases were concluded at the
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and 16 other cases are pending
trial.
The report also points
the police as the most important responsible of most of the abuse.
266 assaults are reported to have been perpetrated by police
officials, 96 by army or gendarmerie forces officers and 17 by
special forces.
Leman Yurtsever, one of
the lawyers for the legal office, emphasizes that the number of
complaints only reflect the tip of the iceberg, as number of women
still prefer not to report the abuses because of psychological
barriers.
According
to the report, a 14-year-old girl was the victim of an honor killing
by her family members after being rape. Another woman’s family has
made a declaration of death and pursues her. Two women
have committed suicide while another woman died from her wounds
following the sexual and physical torture inflicted by the security
forces.
In addition, the paper
also writes that despite the steps taken to improve the gender
equality in labor force in Turkey, the rate of female engagement in
workforce has decreased 10 percent, United Nations official Zahidul
Huque says.
In Turkey, although
internationally commendable steps have been taken regarding gender
equality over the last 10 years, female participation in the labor
force has decreased 10 percent, according to a United Nations
official.
The labor force
participation rate for women, which was 40 percent in 2000, decreased
to 27 percent in 2012 and in early 2013 has been less than 30
percent, the United Nations Gender Thematic Group Chair in Turkey and
United Nations Population Fund representative for Turkey, Zahidul
Huque, told the Hürriyet Daily News in a recent interview.
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