December 7, 2013

Journalists and Writers Foundation's Press Release

The Journalists and Writers Foundation

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) has felt the need to issue the following press release as the hotly debates issues in recent days, particularly including those related to the government's prep schools reform, the National Security Council's (MGK) 2004 decision and the claims about the government's profiling of its citizens have produced a tension that threatens social conciliation:

How will prep school controversy influence election?

Mümtazer Türköne

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) is a well-respected civil society organization which represents the views of Fethullah Gülen. It has clarified Gülen’s views on the prep school controversy and the Taraf daily’s recent publications by making an official public statement recently. In the statement, it stresses its opposition to the government’s decision to shut down prep schools by referencing democracy and freedoms. It also made cautious and balanced remarks on the 2004 National Security Council (MGK) decisions published by the Taraf daily and the reports on profiling. But the most important part of this statement involved those who see a connection between the prep school controversy and the local elections to be held on March 30. The foundation implied in the statement that the Gülen movement would not support any specific candidates or political parties in the elections.

Division at home, cooperation abroad

Joost Lagendijk

Last week I visited Canada to speak at a panel on Turkey in Ottawa and give a lecture on Turkey-EU relations at the Munk School for Global Affairs in Toronto. The panel was part of the first Turkic-Canadian Convention intended to boost economic and cultural relations between Canada and Turkey. The convention was organized by the Anatolian Heritage Federation and was also attended by five members of the Turkish Parliament from the three major parties.

GYV Declaration: The AKP and Hizmet on democracy

İhsan Yılmaz

The GYV reiterated that the Hizmet movement relies on such fundamental principles as rule of law, democracy, pluralism, universal human rights and freedoms, justice, equal citizenship, compliance with international law and conventions, transparency of the state and accountability.

Response to aspersion

Hüseyin Gülerce

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) made an important statement on Thursday. Its press release, issued in connection with the recent tension that threatens to disrupt social consensus, seeks to defuse tension with regards to the rift between the government and the Hizmet movement.

‘If you are against us, you are the other’

Cihan Çelik

When you gaze long into an abyss,
the abyss also gazes into you.
Friedrich Nietzsche