In the same way the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) unanimously ruled that the recognition of the Armenian genocide cannot be criminalized in Turkey, as it constitutes a violation of Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights, the French move is also a violation of the exact same article. Indeed, if a candidate looking to join the EU adopted such a law, the EU would condemn it and make its removal a precondition for entry. It is shameful that a founding member of the EU can so effortlessly violate such an important European value, particularly when they continue to chastise other states for doing the exact same thing. And while Turkey needs to deal with its past, this is not the way to do it.
Stress levels had hit the ceiling in recent days, with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu claiming the French tried to “Nazify” Turkey and to push it out of Europe, while earlier this week Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in an address to the nation, declared France a state leading the rise of a dark medieval mindset, using language of separatism and racism. No doubt Turkey’s leadership feels emboldened following the support offered by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton stated her disapproval of the French bill, saying that the US would never follow a path that criminalizes freedom of expression, warning against using governmental force in order to resolve historical issues. On the other hand Turkey has been disappointed by the approach of the EU. Turkey expected Brussels to have a louder response to Paris. However, Davutoğlu’s suggestion that the EU place sanctions on France was just silly. Rather than following the example of the US, the EU has not spoken out strongly against France. Many in the EU may be far from happy with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, for after all what happens in France also risk damaging the reputation of the EU as a whole. EU member states have their plates full with the eurozone crisis. However, the EU will not want this quarrel to be a long and drawn-out affair, fearing it may undermine efforts to build a unified approach by the EU and Turkey on key Middle East issues such as Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the unrest in Syria. While I doubt warm and friendly relations will be restored as long as Sarkozy is in office, I also believe that Turkey would not be so foolish as to base its approach towards EU-Turkish cooperation in the Middle East region through the prism of Paris. Turks (and others) have branded President Sarkozy racist. Looking back over Sarkozy’s term in office, there have been several occasions when he has acted in a way that has characterized him as such. Sarkozy is no stranger to virulent and racist scaremongering. He has repeatedly used the idea of a feral and alien “racaille” (scum) to scare voters into backing him. While a number of these efforts have targeted France’s Muslim community, including banning the burqa in 2010, other groups have also been affected, including the Roma. In 2010 Sarkozy adopted harsh measures against the Roma, expelling many from France, which was severally criticized, including by his EU colleagues.
Since and prior to being elected, Sarkozy has pursued a policy aimed at increasing support from those that traditionally back the National Front of Marie Le Pen. Rather than dealing with France’s socioeconomic problems head-on, he has preferred to blame them on certain immigrant communities. While Sarkozy hopes to scoop up far-right voters, his actions are more likely to strengthen and legitimize the National Front.
I would also hope that France’s half a million Armenians will take other factors into consideration when heading off to vote, including Sarkozy’s failure to deliver on many of his election promises, including putting more money in people’s pockets, making significant tax cuts and making France more competitive. Ankara continues to fume and to talk about further measures. However, those already in place have done nothing to deter Paris. Indeed Turkey has been taking measures (in particular regarding the defense sector) against France since 2001, when the French National Assembly approved a bill describing the Armenian killings as genocide, yet today France remains one of Turkey’s biggest trading partners. Turkey has already “nuanced” its approach and no longer talks about sanctions against French companies. Turkey does not want to do anything that would damage its own economic interests, and last week Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan stated that measures will not be taken against French companies operating in Turkey and which employ thousands of Turks. However, just because the bill has been put on hold, it will not change anything regarding Turkey’s relationship with its bête noir, Sarkozy. Indeed President Sarkozy’s office had brushed off Turkey’s recent talk of new sanctions and had vowed to enforce the law within a fortnight. So it would seem that whatever happens next, Turkey’s relations with France are going to remain in an extremely precarious situation. If Sarkozy is re-elected, the situation will become even tougher.
