News Scan, 19th Jan: Turkey says ready to discuss judicial row with EU

Turkey says ready to discuss judicial row with EU

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on Jan. 19 the country was ready to discuss all issues with the European Union at high-profile talks this week, including a row over judicial independence that has escalated the crisis engulfing the government.

The controversy over Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s bid to increase his control over Turkey’s top judicial oversight body, the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), has dealt a new blow to the country’s long-held goal of EU membership just as Erdoğan prepares for a crunch day of talks in Brussels on Tuesday.

Davutoğlu said the judiciary issue and all others were on the table in the EU talks, but defended the embattled Erdogan government’s response to the corruption scandal that sparked the current political crisis. “We are ready to discuss everything, including the HSYK,” said Davutoğlu, who is due to accompany Erdogan on his trip. “If there is anything that stands contradictory to EU standards, we will listen to this.” Erdoğan’s government has taken a series of retaliatory measures including a mass purge of police and prosecutors in the wake of a December anti-corruption probe that has ensnared some of the prime minister’s key allies.

HURRIYET DAILY NEWS

Turkey: Contentious Medical Bill Signed

Over the objections of human rights and medical groups, President Abdullah Gul signed a measure into law on Friday that makes it a crime to administer emergency first aid without government authorization.

Critics contend that the law could be used by the police and prosecutors to intimidate and punish doctors and other medical workers for treating protesters wounded in demonstrations against the government, like those in Turkey last year. “Passing a bill that criminalizes emergency care and punishes those who care for injured protesters is part of the Turkish government’s relentless effort to silence any opposing voices,” said Dr. Vincent Iacopino, senior medical adviser at Physicians for Human Rights, one of the groups that had campaigned against the legislation. If convicted, violators could be imprisoned for up to three years and face fines of nearly $1 million.

http://www.nytimes.com/

Academic Çınar: State biggest producer of hate speech in Turkey

This week’s guest for Monday Talk says the state would be the first convict if Turkey had a hate crimes law because it is the biggest producer of hate speech.

“If we had a well-rounded hate crimes law in Turkey, first, the politicians who hold power would be put on trial. Therefore, it is hard to believe that a well-rounded hate crimes law will be drafted and implemented in Turkey,” said Mahmut Çınar, an instructor at Bahçeşehir University’s New Media Department who is the editor of a recent book, “Medya ve Nefret Söylemi” (Media and Hate Speech).

TODAYS ZAMAN

Turkish auto maker responds to the British capital’s call to have zero-emission taxis on its streets by 2018.

Presented to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, Karsan’s Concept V1 model powered by an electric engine was positively received at the Transport for London’s ‘New Taxis for London’ event.

The Turkish company Karsan also exhibited three different mock-up models bearing the design elements of the iconic London black cab. A manufacturer of various commercial vehicles, Karsan is collaborating with the Royal College of Art and the Helen Hamlyn Centre for its London taxi bid.

The company’s V1 design was also shortlisted for New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow competition in 2011.

INVEST.GOV.TR

Thousands commemorate Turkish-Armenian journalist

Thousands of people gathered on Sunday in Istanbul to commemorate the seventh death anniversary of prominent Turkish- Armenian Journalist Hrant Dink who was assassinated in 2007.

A group, called “Friends of Hrant”, came together in Taksim Square, central Istanbul. The crowd walked in front of Agos newspaper, where Dink was shot down. They carried banners quoting “We are all Hrant, we are all Armenian” and “We will not forget or forgive”.

Turkish-Armenian Journalist Dink was murdered in January 2007 by Ogun Samast, who claimed that Dink insulted “Turkishness”.

Dink was Editor-in-Chief of the Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos and considered one of Turkey’s most prominent Armenian voices.

AA

Turkey avoids getting involved with dispute between Iraqi Kurds and Baghdad on oil deal

Ankara avoids interfering with an ongoing dispute between the central government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over the latter’s plans to export oil abroad via Turkey.

Turkey, instead, prefers to see the outcome of ongoing talks between parties with an “I do not want to influence the process” attitude, a Turkish official told Hürriyet Daily News.

The issue came up at a meeting between Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari on Jan. 17. Minister Davutoğlu expressed Turkey’s will for an immediate solution to the dispute.

The Turkish government has been saying it sides with a peaceful solution to be reached with Baghdad and Arbil, asserting it has no interest in interfering with the Iraqi governments’ business.

HURRIYET DAILY NEWS

Alleged ties to al-Qadi a national security concern

Saudi businessman Yasin al-Qadi, who is on a US Treasury black list due to his connection to al-Qaeda terrorist organization; Iranian Reza Zarrab, who has been arrested pending trial on corruption charges; and Egyptian Usama Qutb, another name under investigation by Turkish prosecutors, allegedly have very close ties with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

For Turkey, having such close ties with these foreigners who are not very much respected in the international arena may constitute a national security concern, opposition members and experts warn.

The US Treasury lists al-Qadi as a “specially designated global terrorist.”

Amid the allegations of Erdoğan having close links to al-Qadi by Turkish and international media, Erdoğan has said: “Yasin al-Qadi is a Saudi businessman who loves Turkey and wants to invest in this country. He has no connection with al-Qaeda. He has been acquitted of all accusations made against him. Is it a crime to meet with this person who wants to make a huge investment in Turkey?”

Erdoğan has also been quoted as saying: “I know al-Qadi. I believe in him as I believe in myself. For al-Qadi to associate with a terrorist organization or support one is impossible.”

TODAYS ZAMAN