Turkey says Swiss ban violates freedoms

[Biomiast]

Hi to all,

For the people in article, this isn't the bunch I would listen, take advice from or whatever and some of them really have hypocrisy issues. On the other hand, as for Islam or as for any other faith, banning certain things, expressions etc. is unacceptable for me. A month ago, I wasn't that sensitive about such issues, because I thought all those things are based on lies. This month as I searched what would be FOTCM's status and legal rights of the members in Turkey, I found out there is no real right for any religious groups.

For instance, I don't want to do a military service for a fascist country like Turkey, but those who don't, whatever their reasoning may be, except for health issues, are prosecuted for treason and stay in jail for two years! I find that deeply offending and started to observe other faiths and how they cope with the system. After that, I began to realize how it must be offending for Muslim women to take off their headscarf, and I emphatized with them. I am not a big fan of minarets, I find the call to prayer really unnecessary but this is the belief of those people and it must be respected, or so I think.

I can understand the fear of Swiss, Ducth or anybody else. I wish I could say these were unfounded fears, but I think Muslims can be manipulated as any other group given the right conditions. Well, this minaret ban is one of such conditions, it isn't a wise move, or so I think. Below are the main people from Turkish politics and their views of situation.

Turkey says Swiss ban violates freedoms


Tuesday, December 1, 2009
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey demonstrated an all-out reaction Tuesday to a Swiss ban on minarets, saying it was violating basic human rights and freedoms.

President Abdullah Gül, speaking to reporters in Ankara before departing for Jordan, said the issue should be followed seriously.

“This is a noteworthy example in terms of showing how animosity toward Islam, as we call it ‘Islamophobia,’ has been developing in the Western world. This is a disgrace for the Swiss,” said Gül.

In Parliament, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the ban was a reflection of increasing racist and extreme nationalist waves in Europe, recalling the remarks he made earlier that Islamophobia was a crime against humanity just like anti-Semitism.

“What is the relationship of a mosque minaret with fundamentalism? That is an outdated, primitive understanding,” said Erdoğan, addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, deputies.

His remarks came in response to the Swiss justice minister who said the ban targeted not Muslims but fundamentalism.

“The ban and making such a statement are two separate mistakes,” said Erdoğan, adding that the referendum result in a country considered the cradle of democracy and freedom worried many people.

“Such kinds of issues cannot be taken to referendum … these are rights coming from birth. I am speaking as the prime minister of a country, of a civilization that proved mosques and synagogues can co-exist on the same street for centuries,” Erdoğan said. “It is incomprehensible that while we are restoring such temples, [the Swiss] are taking such steps.”

The referendum by the nationalist Swiss People’s Party labeled minarets as symbols of rising Muslim political power that could one day transform Switzerland into an Islamic nation. The initiative was approved 57.5 to 42.5 percent during the referendum Sunday. Not only Muslims but also international organizations criticized the vote. Europe’s top human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, indicated that the heavily criticized vote could be overturned.

Erdoğan expressed the hope that European Union member states, and such institutions as the European Court of Human Rights, would display sensitivity and would not allow the world to be dragged into tension.

“Bearing the title of co-chairman of the Alliance of Civilizations, it is my duty to remind you that it is necessary to turn back from this mistake as soon as possible,” said Erdoğan. “The world would no longer wants to see chauvinist approaches in this era.”

He said there should be a limit to what can be taken to referendum in democracies, stressing that basic rights and freedoms cannot be put to vote. “Switzerland has made a mistake. I am calling for common sense,” he said.

In a written statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the Swiss vote has caused disappointment and is unfortunate. It called on Switzerland to correct the decision, adding that more than 100,000 Turks living in Switzerland were worried.

“Switzerland, having a respected place in the international arena with its tradition of respecting diversity and reconciliation, is expected by Turkey and the international community to take steps to correct this situation, which does not comply with its traditions,” the ministry said.

The opposition also criticized the ban, with Republican People’s Party, or CHP, leader Deniz Baykal considering it as an important development for Europe to question itself and its outlook toward Islam and for Turkey to question both Europe and itself.

“Europe cannot put this aside,” said the party leader in Parliament.

Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, leader Devlet Bahçeli strongly condemned the ban and called it a "black stain on Europe's human rights and freedom of religion and conscious record." In a written statement, he said the referendum result showed Western values were confined to Christianity and discriminated against other religions.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkey-says-swiss-ban-violates-freedoms-2009-12-01