Regarding the membership talks, there is no official link as the EU sees it as a Turkish domestic issue and it is therefore not surprising that the EU has been quite silent on it. However, they will keep a close eye on the investigation into the atrocity and will expect to see the process carried out in line with democratic standards and the rule of law. Furthermore, as a result, the EU will probably push Turkey further on its Kurdish policy and reforms to both the village guard system and criminal code, which are still lacking.Such tragic incidents do nothing to improve EU public opinion vis-à-vis Turkey and, to a certain degree, support the image that many of those opposed to Turkey’s membership tout around Europe. It is unfortunate that Turkey continues to be branded as a country that is still far from meeting the EU norms and values and too culturally different to ever join the club. As those of us that work on Turkey on a day-to-day basis know, many things have changed over the last few years, but alas this does not filter down to the man on the street. The average EU citizen may love Turkey as a holiday destination, but at the same time usually continues to view the country as a place that restricts freedoms, violates basic human rights, treats women like second-class citizens, has a questionable respect for the rule of law and is an occupier of other people’s lands (Cyprus). Why do they think like this? Because most news stories about Turkey are usually negative and frequently distort the truth.
Then there are the issues that have even spread to some EU member states themselves. Namely honor killings and “export brides.” Honor killings continue to make the news on a regular basis as the West becomes more aware -- and intolerant -- of the horrifying custom. These killings remain a serious problem in Turkey and have reached record levels. According to government figures, there were more than 200 in 2008, representing half of all of the murders committed in the country. While the government has begun to try and crack down on this practice through changes made to the Turkish Penal Code in 2005, which introduced life sentences for this crime, it has resulted in a new type of sinister activity known as "honor suicides.”
Historically, most honor killings have taken place in the Southeast of the country, where the rural Kurdish communities have been ruled over by a feudal, patriarchal system. However, over the years as Kurds have fled fighting in the region, the crime has spread across the country and into its big cities and towns. This issue needs to be tackled far more seriously. It is not just about increasing punishment; it is about education. For things to change, the communities themselves as well as police, prosecutors and even judges need to be educated on gender equality.
Another area that damages Turkey’s image in the EU is its own immigrant community, including the famous “export bride” issue. While I was in the hospital following the birth of my last child, I had the opportunity to encounter a number of “export brides,” as I was asked by the hospital staff to translate from Turkish to French for some of these women. These ladies are brought from Turkey (mainly from small villages in Anatolia) to marry men who are usually born in Belgium but do not want a Belgian-born bride. They prefer girls from the motherland, who are usually more conservative and compliant. Hence these usually uneducated girls arrive in a frightening new world where they survive within the bubble of the Turkish community, having very little opportunity to develop relationships outside of this environment, including integrating with Belgian society, which again has a considerable impact on the image of Turkey in those member states where big Turkish communities reside.
Changing the perception and image of Turkey within the EU is going to take some time and will be an uphill struggle. It will require massive efforts from both the EU and Turkey. Turkey needs to continue with gusto its reform process and not allow itself to accept French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s definition of the country as being too different and un-European to ever join the EU. But, at the same time, Turkey’s negative image suits some member states’ leaders very well and they will be happy for it to continue.
