BY MURAT YETKIN
RADIKAL- Some 500 human rights supporters from 90 countries yesterday convened in Ankara to attend a conference entitled ‘New Strategies in Human Rights.’ Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul delivered a speech at the meeting’s opening.
Let alone hosting such human rights gatherings, just a few decades ago our foreign ministers were grappling with weapons embargos imposed on Turkey on the grounds of serious human rights violations. The reason why Ankara was chosen to host the current meeting was explained like so by Emel Kurma, the conference’s coordinator: ‘Human rights supporters have decided that Turkey has made good progress in human rights and can serve as a model for countries of the Balkans, the Middle East and the Caucasus.’
As a matter of fact, not only political decision-making mechanisms but also our own human rights supporters have greatly contributed to Turkey’s successful journey on this issue, despite the domestic pressure they’ve encountered in their efforts to improve democracy. We should thank all of them, but especially the Human Rights Association’s former and present chairmen, Akin Birdal and Husnu Ondul, respectively.
Yesterday witnessed another important development with Religious Affairs Directorate head Ali Bardakoglu’s appearance on NTV making significant statements on the issue of religion. The directorate is currently preparing a new interpretation of the Koran. Bardakoglu underlined that the Koran and modern science cannot contradict each other, as Koranic interpretation must adapt to the developments of the new age. ‘Religious knowledge must be interpreted in line with the age we live in,’ he added. ‘Religious knowledge isn’t static; therefore, we must improve and renew it.’
Let’s go one step further. Isn’t there a similarity between Bardakoglu’s words and Land Forces Commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit’s recent statement stressing that ‘Kemalist thought must be improved and interpreted in line with the demands of the new era’? Both expressed their desire to see changes in two critical areas which are also traditional taboos for our country.
Turkey is now signaling that it’s ready for a radical discussion of its future. The tone of such discussion will determine whether our country can deal with this massive transformation smoothly and peacefully. If Ankara gets what it wants at the December EU summit, I believe this process of change will accelerate significantly.