Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-05-21-Speech-3-068"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2008-05-21"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Turkey's 2007 progress report (debate)2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20080521.4.3-068"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2008-05-21-Speech-3-0692
lpv:speaker	lp:Joost Lagendijk2
lpv:spokenAs	member; AFET (2007-01-31--2009-07-13)3 member; Conference of Delegation Chairs (2004-09-22--2009-07-13)3 unknown; GroenLinks (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 chair; Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee (2004-09-22--2009-07-13)3 substitute; Delegation for relations with the countries of south-east Europe (2007-03-15--2009-07-13)3 member; SEDE (2007-01-31--2009-07-13)3 substitute; TRAN (2007-01-31--2009-07-13)3 member; G/EFA (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3
lpv:translated text	". Ladies and gentlemen, as you have probably seen, in the last couple of weeks the Commissioner and I have come in for a great deal of criticism from certain circles in Turkey. It is claimed that we do not understand Turkey properly, that we do not really realise what is going on in Turkey. I must admit, sometimes there are a number of things in Turkey that I do not understand. For instance, I cannot understand that many people in Turkey have no problem with the fact that the governing party, which won 47% of the votes in the last elections, is in danger of being banned by the Constitutional Court. What I also do not understand is that the Council of Europe recommendations on the prohibition of political parties were so easily passed over, because it is clear that the case against the AKP in no way meets the criteria. What I also do not understand is that it is so easily overlooked that, by banning the AKP and the DTP, about 90% of votes in the south-east were declared invalid, with all that that entails. What I also do not understand is that so much fuss was made in Turkey about the Commissioner and I criticising the fact that, in our opinion, a political case is one that, if it leads to the banning of the governing party, will really have serious consequences. In my view, it is our duty to say that and we should continue doing so. However, there are other things I do not understand. What I do not understand is why it was impossible for the authorities to allow the trade unions to demonstrate peacefully in Istanbul on 1 May, even in Taksim Square, such a symbolic place since 1977. What I also do not really understand is why it was impossible for the authorities to distinguish between rioters and trade unions seeking to exercise their democratic rights. I also do not understand why so much excessive violence was necessary against peaceful demonstrators and innocent passers-by. I shall end by expressing the hope that this Parliament will continue, as in this report, to encourage reforms, but also to criticise the government and the opposition if these do not take place, in a way that I would describe as clear, explicit, with respect for each other’s views, but without taboos. I firmly believe that, if that happens, we in Turkey and the European Union will in the end understand each other better."@en1

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