BY CAN DUNDAR
MILLIYET- Turkey recently put a high school student into jail, saying that he had taken a political stance by reading a poem... Two days ago the Netherlands held a referendum in high schools and junior high schools. The aim was to make their youth get used to politics. These young people were asked their views on the European Union constitution even before their parents. The ‘no’ vote in the schools was 71%, which was even higher than the number that came out in yesterday’s referendum.
These young people – like their parents – don’t believe in Europe any longer, and this happens in a country which is hailed as the stronghold of multiculturalism, and the laboratory of Europe.
When I was in Amsterdam this winter for an academic meeting, I heard the Dutch say, ‘Multiculturalism is dead, and since the Netherlands regrets this situation it has turned to the beginning.’ The Netherlands had started saying, ‘It is necessary to reduce the pressure of sub-cultures. Otherwise new countries will be created within our country.’
Just as the European Union was putting pressure on Turkey about education in native tongues and minority rights, the Netherlands was putting an end to education in native languages, limiting the broadcasting hours of minorities on public radio, and ending their broadcasts on TV.
Moreover, those unable to pass an exam on Dutch language and culture would not be permitted to enter the country, even if they were relatives of immigrants.
Dutch historian Geert Mac summarizes the situation like this: ‘We opened the doors of our mind and expressed our fears.’
This fear is that a country with a huge population like Turkey will dominate the Netherlands through EU membership.
Europe is on the way to becoming a Christian club which will turn inwards.
Those who underestimate the ‘no’ vote which came from France and the Netherlands say that it’s not important.
However Europe is at a turning point. The West is moving towards giving up core values such as multiculturalism, integration, minority rights and the welfare state. One era is ending, and nobody can guess what the next one will bring.