‘TURKISH SECULARISM IS MILITANT, OLD-FASHIONED’

Today’s Zaman
June 2 2009
Turkey

Turkey’s secularism is "militant and old-fashioned," according to
the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Turkey.

Dutch Christian Democrat Ria Oomen-Ruijten, who has written the
last two progress reports on Turkey, has been acclaimed for her
critical but balanced approach, a precious asset that is usually
lacking in reports on Turkey prepared by members of the European
Parliament. Oomen-Ruijten, who is running in the European elections
of June 4, has been threatened by the strong Armenian lobby as she
refused to refer to the Armenian "genocide" in her two reports.

In an exclusive interview with Today’s Zaman at her campaign
headquarters in Echt, the Netherlands, Oomen-Ruijten made clear that
she would seek the job of rapporteur on Turkey if she is re-elected.

Naming polarization the most urgent problem of Turkey, Oomen-Ruijten
thinks Turkey immediately needs a brand new constitution rather than
amendments to address the shortcomings of the system, in particular
secularism. The Dutch politician praised President Abdullah Gul for
his conciliatory tone.

"The problem is that your society has been so divided. Therefore,
the best way to overcome problems is a brand new constitution,
not amendments. Turkey needs a new constitution, guaranteeing
first and foremost the separation between state and religion. Now
it is not separate," she said. "In my view it [Turkish secularism]
is old-fashioned. I am a Catholic. If I want to go to church and
say something in political life, it is allowed. But in your country
religion is absolutely absent in public life. In public life I should
be allowed to confess I am a Catholic, why not? I am absolutely
against religion playing a role in politics or legislation. But it
can help cooperation in society."

Oomen-Ruijten also criticized the main opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP) for trying to settle political disputes with the
government in court, rather than Parliament. "It is incredible that
an opposition party immediately goes to court if it cannot defeat
a motion in Parliament. It would be unthinkable in my country,"
she said. "You need to have the debate in Parliament. But it is not
the case in Turkey. If the opposition cannot stop it in Parliament,
then you need to take it to civil society and ask for their help,
not to the courts. We will never do it in the Netherlands."

The CHP has blocked several laws passed in Parliament, getting them
annulled at the Constitutional Court after they have been enacted
on the grounds of non-compliance with the Constitution. In most
cases, the CHP moves and the subsequent court rulings have proved
to be controversial, with critics accusing the court of acting as a
political actor rather than strictly implementing the law.

Oomen-Ruijten complained that the judiciary in Turkey is not
impartial. "For a modern democracy you need an independent system of
justice. The problem in Turkey is that you really have independent
justice, but it is not impartial," she said, emphasizing that Turkey
needs judicial reform.

Sarkozy and Merkel

Although she is a Christian Democrat, Oomen-Ruijten has also criticized
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy,
who have stepped up their opposition to Turkey’s membership in their
election campaign speeches.

Oomen-Ruijten said opposition to Turkish membership now does not make
much sense because Turkish accession is not going to happen for at
least 10 years.

"We all have to accept that negotiations have started and that
the decision will be taken in 10 years or something. Sarkozy and
Merkel won’t be there anymore when the decision is taken," she said,
underlining that the accession negotiations would be halted only if
Turkey fails to meet the criteria. "It is in the hands of Turkey. It
is not in the hands of the two leaders," she said.

Asked to comment on criticism from Armenian groups in Europe against
her stance on Turkey, Oomen-Ruijten said she would maintain her
position. "The Armenian lobbies have not been successful in blocking my
candidacy, and I will hold my line on the Armenian question," she said,
noting that there are positive developments regarding Turkish-Armenia
ties. "The developments are very positive. I think I made a humble
contribution to the latest developments, and I tried hard to convince
the Armenians in the diaspora for the need to improve the conditions
of those who are living in Armenia," she said.

On Cyprus, she played down concerns that the long-running dispute
could derail the Turkish membership process but warned there would be
"serious repercussions" if there is no settlement. "Because if there
is no solution at the end of the year, that will provide ammunition to
those who are against Turkish membership," she said. Echt Today’s Zaman