Turkey
Fundamental information for understanding the state of political reform in Turkey
Prospects for Political Reform
» Turkey Update: The Latest
Ahmet Turk, leader of the Kurdish nationalist Democratic Society Party, apologized to the Assyrians and Armenians for the Kurdish people’s role in the “loss of cultural richness” caused by the events of 1915, saying “Today we are ashamed when we see our Assyrian and Armenian brothers.”
The Turkish government will begin broadcasting in Kurdish on channel TRT 6 on January 1st. PM Erdogan is expected to deliver a brief inaugural message in Kurdish. [view article]
PM Erdogan responded to the recently begun campaign of apology to Armenians by saying it was illogical, as Turkey had done nothing to apologize for. He went on to say the campaign would only disrupt the country’s peace and undermine ongoing efforts to resolve Turkish-Armenian problems.
» From The POMED Wire
Politics, Identity, and ‘Golden Age’ Diplomacy in Turkey
[Jan 5] Several pieces on Turkey this morning:
At CSIS, the director of the Turkey Project, Bulent Aliriza, reviews the past year in Turkish politics.…
Saad Eddin Ibrahim Weighs In
[Dec 22] Saad Eddin Ibrahim, activist and member of POMED’s Board of Advisors, chimes in on which country Barack Obama will deliver his Muslim-capital speech. Ibrahim…
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The State of Political Reform
Political Parties and Participation
- The Court Blinks
The German Marshall Fund of the United States, August 2008 - After the Constitutional Court Ruling: Whither Tayyip Erdogan and the AKP?
The German Marshall Fund of the United States, August 2008 - Relief but no Victory for AKP in Closure Case
The Jamestown Foundation, Eurasia Daily Monitor, July 31, 2008 - more »
Human Rights
- Headscarf Dilemma: Implications for Turkey and the United States
Washington Institute for Near East Policy, February 2008 - Progress, or Regress?
Haaretz analysis of the headscarf ban, Article 301, and the Islamist-secularist clash, February 2008 - Human Rights in Turkey: Events in 2007
Human Rights Watch - more »
Elections
- The Real Winners and Losers of Turkey's July 2007 Elections
The Middle East Review of International Affairs, September 2007 - Turkey's 2007 Elections: Crisis of Identity and Power
Congressional Research Service, September 2007 - A Stronger Second Mandate for Erdogan and the JDP
Center for Strategic and International Studies, July 2007 - more »
Press Freedom
- AKP Strengthens its Hold on the Turkish Media
The Jamestown Foundation, Eurasia Daily Monitor, May 2008 - Government Amendments Will Not Protect Free Speech: Article 301 Should Be Abolished
Human Rights Watch, April 2008 - Freedom of the Press 2007: Turkey
Freedom House - more »
Political Institutions
- Arrest, Court Case Reveal that Turkey is Dangerously Polarized
Eurasianet, July 2008 - Turkey 2007 Progress Report
The European Commission, November 2007 - How Will the Turkish Military React?
Washington Institute for Near East Policy, July 2007 - more »
U.S. Democracy Promotion Policy
Legislation
- For an overview of U.S. legislation relating to political reform in Turkey, see the Congressional Policy and Foreign Assistance section of the Turkey backgrounder
- H.Res.106: Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution (Summary | Full Text)
- S.Res.65: Condemning the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and human rights advocate Hrant Dink (Summary | Full Text)
- S.Res.331: Expressing the sense of the Senate that Turkey should end its military occupation of the Republic of Cyprus (Summary | Full Text)
- H.R. 1268: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005 (Summary | Full Text)
- H.R. 2673: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (Summary | Full Text)
- H.R. 1646: Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Summary | Full Text)
- H.R. 1559: Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 (Summary | Full Text)
Congressional Hearings
- Hearing of the House Subcommittee on Europe: “U.S.-Turkish Relations and the Challenges Ahead,” March 15, 2007 (Transcript)
- Hearing of the House Subcommittee on Europe: “Turkey’s Future Direction and U.S.-Turkey Relations,” October 1, 2003 (Transcript)
Assistance Programs
Public Statements
Sean McCormack, DoS Press Briefing, 7/30/08: Comments on the Constitutional Court’s decision not to close the AKP, “We would also encourage Turkey to use this moment to reinvigorate its efforts with the EU.”
Matt Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, 7/27/08: Comments on the AKP closure case, “If Turkey is going to get into the EU, which we strongly support, it has to adhere to European standards. So there needs to be an evolution of the democratic system, and that’s what is under way.”
Stephen Hadley, U.S. National Security Adviser, press availability, Ankara, 7/17/08: “Turkey has made some important democratic political reforms and free market economic reforms in the last several years and the United States believes strongly that this reform effort should continue.” Later he says, “This reform effort is supported by the people of Turkey and it will also bring Turkey closer to the European Union. The United States strongly supports membership for Turkey in the EU.”
