This announcement is also good news as it indicates our government is not just busy quarrelling with France. The ongoing crisis with this country has probably shown that Turkey most urgently needs to clean its doorstep first before criticizing any other country. There is no doubt that this democratization package will help our citizens to live in a better country and will contribute to Turkish democracy. This new effort may also help overcoming some of the issues blocking the Turkey-EU relationship and to prove that we still talk the same language -- the one of democracy and human rights. Through this “common tongue,” relations between peoples can be developed free from crises between states.
Democratization means fighting against authoritarian institutions, structures and mechanisms that are obsessed with the fight against internal and external foes at all costs. Nevertheless, we should keep in mind that reform initiatives will be insufficient unless a brand new constitution is adopted because our current constitution is still full of clauses hindering equal citizenship and preventing the establishment of democratic and transparent institutions. That’s why there exists a real risk that opposition parties may bring this new reform package to the Constitutional Court, arguing that this level of democratization is against our constitution.
Another important aspect of democratization in Turkey is about modifying practices and habits. Reform efforts are bound to be fruitless if anti-democratic reflexes remain active. One may very well adopt the rules of the Venice Commission for democracy and claim that the limit of freedom of speech is violence. Nevertheless, it is also important what kind of activities are seen by authorities as violent or as inciting or praising violence.
Despite all these concerns, it is comforting to know that a new reform package is on its way. This opportunity must be used to resolve countless problems regarding the Kurdish and Alevi questions, the rights of non-Muslim populations and other issues, such as compulsory military service, the right of conscientious objection and domestic violence against women. Turkey has to correct its record quickly not only because of the EU process or the positive effects of the Arab Spring, but also as a precaution against the realistic fears of Syria and Iraq’s disintegration.
There will always be people who praise authoritarian, nationalistic and isolationist measures to resolve security issues, but hopefully the majority of the people have learned that these kinds of measures only worsen the existing problems and that only more democracy brings lasting solutions and political stability.
Turkey will be seen as an equal partner within the EU, the European Council and NATO or in its bilateral relations with France and the US only if it succeeds in becoming a real democracy. This new reform package will hopefully raise the living standards of Turks and help bring them closer to foreign nations that have similar standards. Let’s hope our good expectations are not in vain and that this new reform package will bring Turkey closer to universal values.
