03/01/2013 | Writer: Ali Erol
Although Minister Bağış presents the report as ‘not just a reaction’ but the government’s share of its ‘commitment to reform’, the report ignores the problems and demands of LGBT people and justifies EU commission’s this year’s and previous Turkey reports.
Ministry For European Union Affairs of Turkey prepared “Turkey’s Own Progress Report”.
Although Minister Bağış presents the report as “not just a reaction” but the government’s share of its “commitment to reform”, the report ignores the problems and demands of LGBT people and justifies EU commission’s this year’s and previous Turkey reports.
Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağış claimed that 2012’s EU Progress Report on Turkey stays in the shadow of "subjective, biased, unfounded, and bigoted attitudes”.
Quoting from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister Bagış stated that the government sees EU Accession of Turkey is the most important modernization Project of Turkey right after the announcement of the Republic. “However, EU has damaged its own credibility with Turkey report.” he added.
Bağış, as every year, like many other leaders from the ruling AK Party, had showed negative reaction to the European Commission Report on Turkey that was announced on October 10 2012.
Within its “own” report, the Turkish government have not even showed a “negative” reaction, but totally ignored the LGBT issues and the demands of the LGBT people, which are mentioned every year by the EU Commission Reports on Turkey.
In 2012 Progress Report on Turkey, EU Commission called Turkish Government to protect LGBTs against discrimination and violence. EU emphasized that, current draft of Anti-Discrimination and Equality Board Law of Turkey does not comply with the EU acquis and discrimination against LGBT people has been continued.
On the contrary, within Turkish government’s report, the draft of the Law on Combating Discrimination and Equality is presented like it combats all types of discrimination. Therefore, it says nothing new to the EU commission who heavily criticizes Turkey for the exclusion of the phrase "sexual identity" from the draft anti-discrimination law.
Government of AK Party stated that Turkey’s new constitution process is a "positive contribution to the EU accession". But as another contrast, AK Party ignored and “vetoed” the demand for equality and recognition of the LGBT community within the related articles of the new constitution during the Turkish Parliament’s Constitutional Reconciliation Commission debates where two other political parties, CHP and BDP insisted.
Within the Turkey’s “own” reporting, the terms "sexual orientation", "gender identity" or "sexual identity" were not mentioned anywhere. Instead "sex" reference passed in three places where associated with "violence", "exploitation" and "abuse”.
Another remarkable point from "Turkey’s Own Progress Report" appears in the “Women’s Rights and Gender Equality" section. Herein the term "gender" can be seen to be mentioned twenty times. However, within the Turkish national law on "Family Protection of the Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women", which is alleged to be in line with Council of Europe’s similar named Convention, “gender” was excluded by the AK Party; just like "sexual orientation" and "gender identity".
Although the Government of Turkey claims that they have prepared their “own” report by taking into account of EU’s previous criticisms and recommendations; it is sadly understood that they do not take into account of EU Commission’s yearly repetitions for regulations on the elimination of discrimination against LGBTs in Turkey.
Translation: Murat Köylü / Kaos GL
Please click here to download EU’s 2012 Report on Turkey.
Please go to the links for further information:
http://www.kaosgl.org/page.php?id=12538
Tags: human rights
