Turkey in the Last Two Decades: From Democratization to Authoritarianism

Abstract:

The last report on Turkey written by Professor Esin Örücü analysed the 2010 constitutional amendments. These reforms were perhaps the last step in Turkey’s democratization process that had been going on for a long time, sometimes with determination, sometimes with hesitant steps, with the aim of harmonizing its political system with European values. Even though all political parties promised a new constitution on the eve of the 2011 general parliamentary elections, this attempt was not successful. But the principal events that destroyed the hopes of democratization were the Gezi Park protests in May-June 2013, and the major corruption allegations that were publicized on 17/25 December. The Gezi Park events were the scene of disproportionate use of the police force under the orders of the government. The corruption charges led the government to establish its control over the judiciary and the security forces in violation of the principles of the rule of law. Such violations were also observed in the process of presidential election that took place in 10 August 2014.These practices, before and after the election, were in violation not only of the constitution in force, but also of the European Convention of Human Rights and the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. In the process, many critical journalists and academics lost their jobs. Thus, a drift toward authoritarianism was observed starting with the elections of 2011.

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