For example, you cannot swim in the same river twice, everything may change depending on the time, social statute, the mood of the officer and the like. You may never find a standard process application in Turkey.As is well known to many of you, you may not be treated equally if you do not dress appropriately. I am not talking about rules and legislation alone. A small group of people do have prejudiced views that are very difficult to break. Like what? Some believe that foreigners are rich and will pay whatever price you ask of them and others believe that a woman wearing a headscarf should not be allowed in some upscale venues and neighborhoods. I can give thousands of these examples.
If I may go a step further, there are some similarities between being a foreigner and being a lawyer in Turkey.
Being a lawyer in Turkey is a difficult game to play. The reason I say this is the same rule mentioned above is also valid for many official authorities. The practice and enforcement of written legislation might be quite far away from what the respective law says.
If I may give an example, inconsistencies may arise in court. One court may say white and the other may say black on the same topic. Such a contradictory approach can arise even in decisions handed down by a court of appeals. Depending on the time and merits of the case, even courts of appeals grant varying decisions on the same subject. Courts are not alone in this as governmental departments do likewise. This makes life itself more miserable for both foreigners and locals. Since knowing all of these realities does not make your life easier, I guess the proverb “Ignorance is bliss” remains true.
You may be wondering why I turned so melancholy. I am deeply concerned about a story I received from a dear reader. We should think about the way we are prejudiced and what our standards are. I would like to share the reader’s e-mail with you: “Merhaba Berk bey. A quick and slightly overdue comment on the abovementioned article, published on Aug. 6, and your quote, ‘I would like to start with the general rule on equal treatment: There is no difference between foreigners and Turkish citizens in terms of tax rates.’ … I’ve just paid my annual property tax on the house I share with my Turkish husband. In spite of the fact that we co-own the house on the tapu [title deed] and I have had Turkish citizenship since 2001 and paid copious taxes, business rates, etc., in Turkey, our beloved belediye [municipality] has still seen fit to charge me double the property tax to that which my husband has paid. When queried, the response was that people with foreign names get charged more. I have a Turkish surname and a British surname -- clearly my mistake! We live in a resort area where overcharging foreigners is a local sport, but overcharging citizens due to their [part] nationality really is a low blow. Incidentally, I didn’t find out about this till long after we had left the belediye office or words would’ve been had with the mayor! Would be interested in your comments. Kind regards.”
My response and further remarks will come on Wednesday.
NOTE: Berk Çektir is a licensed attorney at law and available to answer questions on the legal aspects of living in Turkey. Send enquiries to b.cektir@todayszaman.com. The names of the readers are disclosed only upon written approval of the sender.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended to give basic legal information. You should get legal assistance from a licensed attorney at law while conducting legal transactions and not just rely on the information in this corner.
