Cyprus-Forum.com

[lola-tulip]

EU to call for new civilian constitution in Turkey strategy


The European Union [...] will reiterate its call for a new civilian constitution, saying it is needed to strengthen democracy in the candidate country.


Shortcomings in freedoms

Turkey, a candidate to join the EU since 1999, opened accession talks with the bloc in 2005 but little progress has been achieved since then due to the continued division of Cyprus and growing opposition to Turkey’s membership in many European countries. The EU also complains that the pace of reforms in Turkey is slow.

Highlighting deficiencies in Turkey’s record, the strategy document says the accession negotiations have “reached a demanding stage requiring Turkey to step up its efforts in maintaining established conditions.” It says: “Regarding fundamental rights, freedom of expression and of the media needs to be strengthened in Turkey both in law and practice. A number of shortcomings remain in the exercise of the freedom of religion. Progress is also needed regarding women’s rights and gender equality and trade union rights. The ‘democratic opening’ aimed notably at addressing the Kurdish issue has produced only limited results. The security situation in the Southeast has worsened with a resurgence of attacks by the terrorist organization [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK/Kongra-Gel. Some progress has been made in the fight against corruption.”

On Cyprus, the document notes that Turkey remains supportive of efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement on the fate of the island, yet points out that there has been no progress towards “normalization of bilateral relations with the Republic of Cyprus.” Turkey refuses to open its ports and airports to traffic from Greek Cyprus as long as Greek Cyprus, which represents the entire island in the EU, continues to block EU plans to initiate direct trade with Turkish Cyprus. The EU suspended accession talks on eight chapters in 2006 due to Turkey’s refusal to open its ports and airports to traffic from Greek Cyprus. In the strategy paper, the European Commission says it will continue to monitor the situation and says the EU decision to freeze talks on eight chapters will remain in place. It also notes “a renewed impetus” in Turkey to improve relations with Greece and that two protocols Turkey signed with Armenia to normalize ties are yet to be ratified.


http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news- ... ategy.html

[Hermes]

It reads like a litany of failure: deficiencies in democracy, the constitution, human rights, freedom of expression, the media, freedom of religion, the Kurdish issue, foreign policy and Cyprus.

Incredible. They'd better get on a move on ...

[humanist]

I think the EU should give them a time line. You got 3 years to make changes in the above areas or else the negotiations for membership with be terminated for 7 years and then only re-considered if changes have been made in the above areas.

[miltiades]

It reads like a litany of failure: deficiencies in democracy, the constitution, human rights, freedom of expression, the media, freedom of religion, the Kurdish issue, foreign policy and Cyprus.

Incredible. They'd better get on a move on ...

Turkey has much to do , not just on the Cyprus issue but on a culture that tolerates these barbaric medieval acts.
http://www.honourkillings.gn.apc.org/

[Viewpoint]

It reads like a litany of failure: deficiencies in democracy, the constitution, human rights, freedom of expression, the media, freedom of religion, the Kurdish issue, foreign policy and Cyprus.

Incredible. They'd better get on a move on ...

Turkey has much to do , not just on the Cyprus issue but on a culture that tolerates these barbaric medieval acts.
http://www.honourkillings.gn.apc.org/

this is a rare occurance but unfortunately still exists just like racists murders happen in most parts of Europe.

[miltiades]

It reads like a litany of failure: deficiencies in democracy, the constitution, human rights, freedom of expression, the media, freedom of religion, the Kurdish issue, foreign policy and Cyprus.

Incredible. They'd better get on a move on ...

Turkey has much to do , not just on the Cyprus issue but on a culture that tolerates these barbaric medieval acts.
http://www.honourkillings.gn.apc.org/

this is a rare occurance but unfortunately still exists just like racists murders happen in most parts of Europe.

Murders , racists or not , are condemned by every society at large . Honour killings in Turkey are part and parcel of the culture and tolerated by society , massive difference.
Do some research and you may surprise yourself that in this third world nation honour killings are very much a part of life , is this what you want in Cyprus?

"New York Times, 16 Jul 2006, How to Avoid Honor Killing in Turkey? Honor Suicide

For Derya, a waiflike girl of 17, the order to kill herself came from an uncle and was delivered in a text message to her cellphone. “You have blackened our name,” it read. “Kill yourself and clean our shame or we will kill you first.” ... When news of the love affair spread to her family, she said, her mother warned her that her father would kill her. But she refused to listen. Then came the threatening text messages, sent by her brothers and uncles, sometimes 15 a day. Derya said they were the equivalent of a death sentence.

Consumed by shame and fearing for her life, she said, she decided to carry out her family’s wishes. First, she said, she jumped into the Tigris River, but she survived. Next she tried hanging herself, but an uncle cut her down. Then she slashed her wrists with a kitchen knife.
...
Every few weeks in Batman and the surrounding area in southeast Anatolia, which is poor, rural and deeply influenced by conservative Islam, a young woman tries to take her life. Others have been stoned to death, strangled, shot or buried alive. Their offenses ranged from stealing a glance at a boy to wearing a short skirt, wanting to go to the movies, being raped by a stranger or relative or having consensual sex."

[paliometoxo]

It reads like a litany of failure: deficiencies in democracy, the constitution, human rights, freedom of expression, the media, freedom of religion, the Kurdish issue, foreign policy and Cyprus.

Incredible. They'd better get on a move on ...

Turkey has much to do , not just on the Cyprus issue but on a culture that tolerates these barbaric medieval acts.
http://www.honourkillings.gn.apc.org/

this is a rare occurance but unfortunately still exists just like racists murders happen in most parts of Europe.

Murders , racists or not , are condemned by every society at large . Honour killings in Turkey are part and parcel of the culture and tolerated by society , massive difference.
Do some research and you may surprise yourself that in this third world nation honour killings are very much a part of life , is this what you want in Cyprus?

"New York Times, 16 Jul 2006, How to Avoid Honor Killing in Turkey? Honor Suicide

For Derya, a waiflike girl of 17, the order to kill herself came from an uncle and was delivered in a text message to her cellphone. “You have blackened our name,” it read. “Kill yourself and clean our shame or we will kill you first.” ... When news of the love affair spread to her family, she said, her mother warned her that her father would kill her. But she refused to listen. Then came the threatening text messages, sent by her brothers and uncles, sometimes 15 a day. Derya said they were the equivalent of a death sentence.

Consumed by shame and fearing for her life, she said, she decided to carry out her family’s wishes. First, she said, she jumped into the Tigris River, but she survived. Next she tried hanging herself, but an uncle cut her down. Then she slashed her wrists with a kitchen knife.
...
Every few weeks in Batman and the surrounding area in southeast Anatolia, which is poor, rural and deeply influenced by conservative Islam, a young woman tries to take her life. Others have been stoned to death, strangled, shot or buried alive. Their offenses ranged from stealing a glance at a boy to wearing a short skirt, wanting to go to the movies, being raped by a stranger or relative or having consensual sex."

how can any ne be so sick and twisted in the head!!! killing your own family?!?!?! sick people these turks are!!! some one needs to slap them in the face and tell the to shut up

[Viewpoint]

You are talkng rubbish militiades they are killings whatever reason they are carried out for and are against the law therefore punishable by imprisonment.

[paliometoxo]

yet people still do it.. its sick that any one would even consider such a move. and that turkey has to imprison men and families for doing it

[Viewpoint]

Hello Turkey does inprison them for murder this is a disgusting deed but people kill each other all over the world for various reasons.