Akşam: Critical ruling from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) as the court ruled that inclusion of a box for religion on identity cards is against human rights, the daily announced in its main story yesterday. A case filed by Sinan Işık, an Alevi citizen, at the European court has recently been concluded. If Turkey does not appeal the ECtHR ruling, the religion box will be removed from identity cards. Until 2006 it was obligatory in Turkey for the holder’s religion to be indicated on an identity card; however, since 2006, she or he has been entitled to request that the box be left blank. Star: “Headscarf recklessness from the MHP,” the daily said in the headline of its lead story yesterday, reporting on turmoil in Parliament on Tuesday when Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy Osman Durmuş mockingly said, “How can you deny the wife of a prime minister who is deemed to be a prophet from entering the Gülhane Military Academy of Medicine [GATA]?” Durmuş was referring to when Emine Erdoğan was denied entry to GATA in 2007 to visit an ailing theater actor. Durmuş’s statements led to an uproar in the ranks of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) as deputies from the MHP and AK Party began to exchange punches.
Taraf: “I look for a courageous man,” the daily said in the headline of its top story yesterday, quoting remarks from Minister of Trade Nihat Ergün, who said he was looking for a courageous businessman to manufacture automobiles that ran on electricity. “Because of ongoing investments [in vehicles that run on gasoline], giant companies act slowly in manufacturing automobiles that run on electricity. This is a historic opportunity for Turkey to produce its own brand,” the minister said.
