London Labour MP for Labour Party Rt Hon Joan Ryan, lately published an article tackling the “New Turkey” term by going through more details illustrating its standpoints. Joan Ryan said:
PRESS ARTICLE: In search of the ‘New Turkey’
Following the failed military coup last month, the phrase a ‘New Turkey’ is back in vogue. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the Chair of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) – Labour’s sister Party, has said that an opportunity has been created to open a ‘new door of compromise’ in Turkish politics, as long as the rule of law and justice are respected.
Whether that door is opened or remains closed is in the hands of President Erdoğan, but recent events tell us that he and his government leave very little room for compromise.
It is revealing, and deeply unfortunate, that senior representatives from the HDP were excluded from the million strong Democracy and Martyr’s Rally in Istanbul, which was addressed by the President and other opposition leaders earlier this month. As Figen Yuksekdag, co-chair of the party, has said, any hope of creating a new, more united and tolerant country will fail without the active participation of Kurds, Alevis and minority groups.
Since 15th July, we have also witnessed the arrest, imprisonment or suspension of as many as 70,000 people, from the military, judiciary, civil service, and teaching profession with alleged links to Fethullah Gulen’s movement – the man blamed by President Erdoğan for the failed coup. How can rounding up so many people be a proportionate response to an attempted coup which was condemned by all? And how can it be possible to identify that number of alleged co-conspirators in such a short space of time?
These are not the actions of a government seeking to foster a culture of reconciliation in Turkey. Nor does President Erdoğan’s temporary suspension of provisions within the European Convention on Human Rights, and his support for the reintroduction of the death penalty, indicate a willingness to engage meaningfully in accession talks with the European Union. If this is the case, it would be a tragedy for Turkey and the EU. They both have so much to gain by tackling together many of today’s most important, international issues – from terrorism to migration to the pursuit of peace in Cyprus and in Syria.
This is the promise of a ‘New Turkey’ we all want to see fulfilled.
