Brutal force has been used against Kurdish separatists and other political groups. Indeed, the operations of the Turkish military against the Kurds make Israel's recent incursion into the Gaza Strip (in Operation "Cast Lead") look like a May Day picnic. Until 2003, it was forbidden to speak Kurdish on the radio or television; the Kurdish alphabet still cannot be used. The state of human rights in Turkey, according to numerous human rights NGOs, continues to be atrocious. Women in Turkey are mistreated; until very recently women students applying to universities had to pass a virginity test. The Turkish military police routinely kill civilians. Journalists have been assassinated.One such reporter was an Armenian named Hrant Dink. If you're one of those who didn't know about this before, now you do - how a country once thought to be a decent tourist attraction is really a nightmare behind the scenes.
I think the time has come to stop paying money to Turkey's tourism, though I got a feeling that, with dictatorships making a comeback, that may be moot already. Turkey's future does not look bright.
8 comments:
They are not proof that Islam and democracy can coexist. They are democratic despite the fact that they are Islamic. There is a reason that Islamic political parties are outlawed in Turkey.
We must be clear; we do not want them in the EU because they are Islamic. Cultural diversity is real.
www.culturism.us
The only good thing Turkey has ever produced was Mustafa Kamal "Ataturk". Too bad he couldn't live until today to keep the nutcases in check.
Total,
Would he even be able to keep the nutcases in check?
Probably not, but at least he would encourage secularism with an iron fist. Simply compare these two quotes, one from Mustafa Kamal, another from the current Islamist president, Turnip Erdogan.
Ataturk: "In the face of knowledge, science, and of the whole extent of radiant civilization, I cannot accept the presence in Turkey's civilized community of people primitive enough to seek material and spiritual benefits in the guidance of sheiks. The Turkish republic cannot be a country of sheiks, dervishes, and disciples. The best, the truest order is the order of civilization. To be a man it is enough to carry out the requirements of civilization."
Turnip: "It is not possible to be secular and Muslim at the same time. They are continuously saying, "Secularism is in danger". It will be, if this nation demands it. You cannot prevent it. The Islamic nation is waiting for the rise of the Muslim Turkish nation. We will. This rebellion will start".
Total said...
The only good thing Turkey has ever produced was Mustafa Kamal "Ataturk".
Now that depends through which eyes you look Greek or Turkish
Since Armenians, Greeks, and Kurds have all suffered unspeakable atrocities at the hands of unapologetic Turks (both Ottoman and modern), I can't imagine any of those peoples holding a Turkish leader in any sort of high regard. Perhaps I should have clarified that through the perspective of the Western world, Ataturk was the greatest thing Turkey has produced.
"Until very recently women students applying to universities had to pass a virginity test". Something like this has never been realized since the beginning of the Republic of Turkey. I went to university in Turkey, I got a master's degree and I am a "Turkish woman". So I am not an ignoramus as you may think prejudically.
Before writing something, first you should know about it. I know that there are many people who are treating Turkey as inferior. But I think you are becoming much more inferior by writing these things without knowing anything.
porter of anyone or any group. I am not this or that. I am just a human being who wants to believe that some day world will become a peaceful place with “truth” and “love” in people’s hearts.Don't do this, don't sprinkle hatred seeds in people's hearts.
Being against "Radical Islam" and being against "People of Turkey" are entirely different things.
For the latter, for example, you have to be a racist! Are you sure that you are not?
Also, being against "Radical Islam" and "Moslems" are not the same. Are you against radicalism, against a certain religion or against all religions? Your approach here looks juvenile, if not primitive. I am not sure whether you really know to what you are against.
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