Bulletin de liaison et d'information - Institut kurde de Paris

Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-BasznÖzeti
15 March 2000, Copyright @Turkish Daily News
Turk~y wFites comprehensive
Kurdish problem
report to 3.ddress
• The Foreign Ministry is currently preparing a comprehensive report on the issue of the Kurds and current practices
concerning minorities in Turkey. In addressing the Kurdish problem, the report takes France as a model. The repolt
first examines European Union approaches to the minority issue and then elaborates on the situation in Turkey. It
tackles in depth the delicate issue of Turks of Kurdish origin and whether they should have the right to run TV
broadcasts 'and other publications in Kurdish
• The report argues that the relevant articles of the Constitution should initially be amended to recognize the right of
equal Citizenship, leaving no room for the EU to impose unacceptable concepts such as minority rights for the
Kurds on Turkey. In a related development a pending bill will pave the way for the establishment of a Human
Rights Directorate affiliated with the Prime Minister's Office under which all the ministries will be required to give
an accounting of human rights violations
Laie Sariibrahimoglu
Ankara,.. Turkish Daily News
The Foreign Ministry is currently preparing a comprehensiv~ report on the issue of Turks of Kurdish origin and Turkey's
current practices towards minorities. This report represents an attempt to readjust its current laws and regulations to fit those
of the European Union and to meet the Copenhagen criteria which Turkey is seeking to abide by beforciits pre-accesion
talks on full membership can start. The report will address the thorny issue of Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin; examining
the current ConstitutioTi.and the relevant articles of the Lausanne Peace Treaty of 1925. The issue of Turks of Kurdish
origin and of the military's subordination to the civilian Ministry of Defense are two delicate points that to the contrary were
not addressed in a comprehensive report released in February written by the Prime Ministry's Human Rights High
Coordination Board SecretariaL That report was included in the eighth development plan of the State Planning Organization
(DPT) and covers the next five years.
In an attempt to address the controversial issue of whether the Kurds should be allowed to produce TV broadcasts and print
publications in Kurdish, the report will explore in depth the practices of EU member countries on such is.sues and how the
problèm in Turkeycould be addressed. The already-completed first part of the report examines current EU practicesin about
20 pages. The 'policies öf EUniember France, which recognize equal citizenship regardless of ethnicity or language, appear
to be a good model for Turkey to follow in addressing its own problems. The report's second part,currently under
preparation; will examinèthe Constitution of 1982 and the Lausanne Peace Treaty. The report argues that Article 20fthe
Constitution should initially be amended inorder to recognize rights for equal citizenship, replacing the current policy of
discrimination among its citizens.
The essence of an amended Constitution should be to accept all the citizens of Turkey equally regardless of their ethnic roots
and religion, argues the report, adding that if the necessary amendments are made to the Constitution, there would be no
room left for the EU to impose concepts such as minority rights for the Kurds on Turkey. For example, in France, the
report notes, French is recognized as the only official language to be taught in state schools, but its Constitution allows
citizens from variousgroups to run private schools where other languages are taught. The Foreign Ministry report stresses
that although Article 26 of the Turkish Constitution violates Article 39 of Lausanne Treaty in its current form, it still does
not forbid the essential right of Turks of Kurdish origin from l'roducing TV broadcasts or print publications in Kurdish.
Article 39 of the Lausanne Treaty says, "No restrictions shall be imposed on the free use by any Turkish national of any
language in private intercourse, in commerce, religion, inthe press, or in publications of any kind or at public meetings."
The reportarguesthat despite the necessity for changes in the.Constitution to recognize rights of equal citizenship in place of
its current exclusivist approach, there are still no legal obstacles for the Kurds to produce publieations in Kurdish.
Under the Lausanne Treaty, non-Muslimcommunities of Greeks, Jews and Armenians are recognized as minorities.
Seeking to institutionalize the current thinking .on issues related to human rights, the government isaiso expected to pass a
bill to turn the existing Human Rights Coordination High Board into a Human Rights Directorate, which is to be affiliated
with the Prime Minister's Office. This will make binding onall ministries and related institutions a requirementto abide by
human rights practices arid to give aß accounting ofany misconduct in.those areas. Under the bill, a Human Rights
ConsultàtionBoard. composed of representatives of all the ministries as well.as nongovemmentalorganizations (NGOs)
monitoring human rights practices will be established. Under this law, delegates would be appointed to monitor instances of
torture and violations of human rights. . .
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