29/02/2012 | Writer: Umut Güner
I send my love and best wishes to Koas GL and its readers and supporters for all the work it does in challenging hatred and prejudice and being the champions of diversity.
Michael Cashman MEP, co-president of the LGBT Intergroup, spoke to Kaos GL Magazine and news site in regard to Turkey’s current route on human rights, latest economic downturns and rising nationalisms which are going hand in hand with homophobia and hate. Umut Güner, from Kaos GL Magazine, asked Cashman the below questions for all of us.
You are watching Turkey very closely, and for the first time in the past, we have seen you in 2003 when you were speaking to those standing against homophobia and transphobia. It has been 8 years after that speech. What do you observe that has changed in this country since then?
Progress in law in Turkey for the protection of LGBT people from discrimination has been slow and there is still the continuing harrassment of trans people. However, the progress in civil society and amongst the public has been positive and there have also been court rulings which have been in favour of LGBT NGOs. But there is still much to do and I remain optimistic and positive that changes will follow and Turkey will show itself as a model to other Islamic countries.
In 2003, AKP just had won the victory in the political arena, and now it is having its 3rd term. It is now a very common argument that the country is getting more and more conservative. From the angle of the European Parliament, how do you see and evaluate this discussion?
Conservative values may be increasing but such values should never be imposed on another human being. That is the essence of a modern democracy based on respect for human rights and minorities, and laws and constitutions should reflect that. Also we should maintain and respect the secular nature of Turkey’s constitution. Religious values should not be woven into the fabric of any government. Religious values are respected and shared by those who believe in those values: such values should be respected by us all but should never be imposed upon people who do not share them. Religion and belief are chosen and they should remain separate from politics.
Conservative values may be increasing but such values should never be imposed on another human being. That is the essence of a modern democracy based on respect for human rights and minorities, and laws and constitutions should reflect that. Also we should maintain and respect the secular nature of Turkey’s constitution. Religious values should not be woven into the fabric of any government. Religious values are respected and shared by those who believe in those values: such values should be respected by us all but should never be imposed upon people who do not share them. Religion and belief are chosen and they should remain separate from politics.
Especially after September 11, the structure of the European Union countries is bringing serious limits to migration and traveling policies. And parallel to this, it is believed that there is a rising nationalism that comes with rising Islamophobia and xenophobia. Is the whole European continent getting conservative, and not only Turkey?
Not only since September 11 2001, but since the economic downturn most countries have retreated to a worrying kind of narrow nationalism. Turkey has not done this because its economy continues to outpace others and unemployement is historically lower. Often fear creates prejudice and all prejudice can be overcome by open minds and education. I detest Islamophobia, xenophobia and all other forms of prejudice and discrimination and stereotyping. We should detest extremists and their actions and then try to remove the reasons why people become extremists. Generalising prejudice does not improve our lives or the lives of others. It merely means prejudice and fear will continue to grow unless we challenge the stereotypes which pretend to represent ordinary decent men and women.
I wish to give you the last question… Please do give a message of yours to our readers of both Kaos GL Magazine, as well as Kaos GL news site.
I send my love and best wishes to Koas GL and its readers and supporters for all the work it does in challenging hatred and prejudice and being the champions of diversity. Equality will be achieved for LGBT people because Equality is the the hallmark of fairness and goodness and justice. (Umut Güner/Kaos GL)
I send my love and best wishes to Koas GL and its readers and supporters for all the work it does in challenging hatred and prejudice and being the champions of diversity. Equality will be achieved for LGBT people because Equality is the the hallmark of fairness and goodness and justice. (Umut Güner/Kaos GL)
Tags: life
