January 4, 2015

Allegations should receive prize in fiction

Günal Kurşun

As far as I know, there are five famous prizes in fiction in Turkey, given in the name of Haldun Taner, Sait Faik, Yunus Nadi, Yaşar Nabi Nayır and Selçuk Baran. I suppose there might be more awards but these five are the most famous and they definitely have an impact in the Turkish world of literature. The juries look at the technical perfection of the fiction as well as the artistic construction of the structure during the decision process.

Özfatura: Erdoğan does not want civil society that is not pro-AK Party

Dr. Burhan Özfatura witnessed the meetings of former President Turgut Özal and former Prime Minister Tansu Çiller with Fethullah Gülen. He says: “Both asked what they can do for him. Gülen told them not to believe anybody who asks for a favor by referring to himself.” Özfatura, who has expressed support for the police officers who were placed under arrest and has strongly criticized the recent judicial and security packages, speaks aloud at a time when everybody else remains silent. He is a renowned politician who served in center-right parties and he worked pretty closely with Özal in the implementation of economic reforms. Özfatura spoke to Sunday's Zaman about the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Hizmet movement.

Being crushed under baggage: Shortness of breath

Ekrem Dumanlı

We are facing a great danger. Some people who do not want to hear any critical remarks have established a regime of repression. A 16-year-old was sent to jail; a journalist who posted a tweet about the Dec. 17, 2013 corruption investigation was placed in detention; a TV station and a newspaper were raided; the police staged an operation in the buildings of some political parties because they put up a critical banner; the supporters of a soccer club are being accused of attempting to stage a coup; the “reasonable doubt” criterion for arrest is applied to almost everybody; and the country is now a semi-closed penitentiary.

Civil society will not bow

Şahin Alpay

Turkey is effectively governed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in violation of all the constitutional provisions that define a parliamentary system and a presidential oath that obliges him to maintain political neutrality. Claiming that serious corruption allegations against members of his Cabinet and family were fabricated in a conspiracy to topple his government by what he calls the “parallel state,” meaning the faith-based social movement inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, he has introduced legislation that has emasculated the rule of law and crippled the independence of the judiciary in order to stifle the graft probe.

Erdoğan’s abstract enemies: parallel organization and superior mind

Mümtazer Türköne

Totalitarian regimes rely on their ability to manufacture enemies. In his New Year message, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to a host of "external enemies" and "traitors." The ruling party characterizes these traitors as the "parallel organization" and "superior mind." The phrases "parallel state" and "Pennsylvania organization" are used synonymously with the "parallel organization" as well. These phrases offer a comforting luxury. As they are abstract characterizations and no one takes any offense from them, they give Erdoğan and the media outlets at his disposal the opportunity to shadow box.