Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-10-05

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Human Rights Watch says Turkey missed a big chance for reform.

[02] The majority of the Turkish public opposes attack on Afghans.

[03] New «protocol» regarding the «Safety of the Coasts» between Turkey and the pseudostate.

[04] Tansu Ciller to visit the occupied areas.

[05] More than 8.000 students in one day.

[06] Price of milk rises.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Human Rights Watch says Turkey missed a big chance for reform

The report is the following: Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed the Turkish Parliament missed a big chance for change, for the reform fell short on the death penalty, free speech, and torture.

Concerning the thirty-seven constitutional amendments, HRW cautioned that, as now formulated, the reforms would maintain the death penalty and restrictions on freedom of expression and continue to deprive detainees of vital safeguards against torture.

"The Turkish parliament is turning what should have been a defining moment of change into just another lost opportunity," said Elizabeth Andersen, executive director of the Europe and Central Asia Division of HRW. "And Turkish citizens will be the real losers here."

HRW also commented that, after making little progress on human rights in 2001, Turkey's leaders are now hurrying through a package of constitutional reforms, apparently to placate the European Commission, currently preparing its annual report on Turkey's progress towards accession to the European Union. But the measures fall well short of the E.U.'s "Copenhagen criteria" for human rights and democracy among applicant states, HRW said. The constitutional package does not address the practices that facilitate torture.

HRW noted that the Council of Europe and U.N. experts have for years urged Turkey to cease incommunicado police detention, where most torture occurs. Yet the proposed constitutional changes will not guarantee detainees prompt access to legal counsel. The provisions will reduce the length of police custody from seven to four days, but further legislation will be required to shorten the police custody of detainees in the southeastern provinces under a State of Emergency, where detainees can currently be held for ten days, HRW noted.

Death Penalty will not please the EU

HRW said the proposed constitutional changes also fall short on the death penalty. Turkey has maintained a sixteen-year moratorium on the judicial death penalty. The proposed changes would abolish the death penalty for civil offences but retain it in circumstances of "war, the near threat of war and terrorist offences." HRW recalled that most of the fifty executions since the 1980 military coup have been for offences under those headings. The proposed changes will likely prove unsatisfactory to the E.U., which has made a priority of death penalty abolition.

HRW also said that the constitutional changes would do little to expand freedom of speech for journalists and politicians in Turkey. Currently, Turkey's constitution offers no protection for any "statement challenging the unity of the state," punishable under hundreds of laws and regulations. In an apparent effort to bring the constitution in line with the European Convention on Human Rights, the original draft constitutional amendment changed reference to prohibited "statement[s]" challenging the unity of the state to "actions." The latest version refers instead to "activity," which judges, police and governors are likely to interpret as a license to continue their restrictions on freedom of expression and association.

"The package contains some worthwhile measures," said Andersen. "But many glaring constitutional shortcomings have been overlooked." Andersen concluded:

"For decades, successive Turkish governments have enacted cosmetic measures to ease relations with international partners while preserving the balance of fear between state and citizen, Unfortunately, with these proposed constitutional changes we're seeing that pattern repeated once again».

[02] The majority of the Turkish public opposes attack on Afghans

The major findings of the opinion poll, as reported in Turkish Daily News, are the following:

An overwhelming majority of Turks oppose the terrorist attacks against New York and Washington but also feel a military operation against Afghanistan would be «wrong».

In a public opinion poll conducted by pollster ANAR 79.8 percent of Turks questioned said the most important event of the past month were the attacks against the United States.

The poll, conducted among 1,240 people in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Samsun, Diyarbakir and Erzurum according to random sampling between September 27 and 29, showed that 62 percent of those surveyed feel an all out «effective» war against terrorism will be unleashed as a result of the attacks against the US.

The poll showed that 77.6 percent of those surveyed opposed the attacks while 13.4 approved them.

Approximately 20.7 percent felt domestic forces in the US were behind the attacks while 13.3 percent said Osama Bin Laden was to blame. While 8.2 percent said international terrorist organizations were the culprits, 6.9 percent pointed the finger at the Taliban. Some 34.5 percent refused to respond.

[03] New "protocol" regarding the "Safety of the Coasts" between Turkey and the pseudostate

According to the paper, the above - mentioned stations are in Kyrenia and Famagusta, whereas another one is being built in Yialousa village, in the occupied peninsula of Karpasia.

The communication system of these stations is established with the signing of the "protocol" yesterday, which provides for equipment worth about one million dollars. This money will be given to the pseudostate by Turkey.

After the signing of the "protocol", Hucum Tulgar, General Director of Turkey/s Coasts Safety and Ships Rescue Operations department, said that there is an order directly from the Prime Minister`s office regarding the development of the maritime sector of the pseudostate.

[04] Tansu Ciller to visit the occupied areas

Mrs Ciller will also deliver the "opening lecture" of "GAU" on the issue: "The World and the latest developments in Turkey".

The leader of TPP is expected to be accompanied by a 16 - member delegation consisting, among others, of deputies of her party. During her stay in the occupied areas she will visit the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas, the so-called Prime Minister, Dervish Eroglu, the "Speaker" of the pseudo-assembly, Vehbi Zeki Serter, the commander of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus, lieutenant general Ahmet Ozteker and the so-called Deputy Prime minister, Salih Cosar.

[05] More than 8.000 students in one day

The paper writes that yesterday was the first day of the enrollments, which will last two days and adds that 2.094 of the students who were enrolled are new.

[06] Price of milk rises

The price of cow milk was increased by 13.4 % and became 420 thousand Turkish liras per liter, while sheep milk will be sold for 714 thousand Turkish liras per liter, after an increase of about 14.75 %.

KV/SK

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