Should Turkey be considered as a member of the EU?

Question

There has been recent news coverage of a Turkish people-smuggling ring. Basically, Turkish Kurds were paying vast amounts of money to be smuggled into the UK.

They then, when caught, claimed political asylum. Their claim was that, as Kurds, they would be subjected to all manner of horrors should they be returned to turkey. On that basis they were granted unlimited leave to remain.

However, the question seems to shout out - how on Earth can Turkey be considered as an EU Member if some of its citizens are subjected to Human Rights abuses in their own country?

Answer 1

Honestly, I don't think Turkey will be admitted in any forseeable future. They have too far to go in meeting the Political, Social, Economic, and infrastructural reforms necessary to be seriously considered.

They were invited to negotiations for other reasons.

1. To strengthen the westernizing elements in the country (at the expense of the growing Islamist movement there).

2. To preclude violence from the Turkish communities already scattered throughout Europe.

3. To placate the United States, and to strengthen Turkey's committments to NATO and the war on Terror.

4. To allow the pro-western Turkish government to save face.

All of these things resulted in the invitation to negotitiation. But that is a long, long, LONG way away from full membership.

Answer 2

The real problem is not knowing if they are being abused. As it is understood, the Kurds in the Kurdish triangle - Axis of Kurds - are fighting to gain a homeland cut out of three countries, Iraq,Iran and Turkey. Now, it is also understood that the Kurds within the Axis are not on the best of terms and there is political and other conflict between them. The countries themselves see the Kurds as one of their tribes. The Kurdish "Freedom Fighters" or "Terrorists"(take your pick), constantly exchange fire with the various security forces. And when they are caught, they, like the Islamists caught by the US are routinely tortured. This cannot be called human Rights abuses can it. If it is, the US is a big human rights abuser. And if the "Leader of the Free" does it, how can we complain if a country of lower standards do it. This is the way to look at things not in the blinkered manner that most want to. And although torture of any kind is a human right abuse, the US argues that it is necessary to curb terror. Now, terror is used by the Kurds in Turkish cities. I personally do not think Turkey should be admitted because there will be too much rule alterations necessary to accommodate a majority Muslim state in a Christian body. But the matter of freedom fighters or human rights does not get a look in. That, my friends, as Rumsfield says, is a matter of definition.

Answer 3

i think some of them are probably fibbing a little to get asylum. However i have visited Turkey twice in a lot of the regions and find little or no reason as to why they would say such things. Because it's an Islamic state- people are more frightened of how the EU could make things easier to do in terms of public safety if there were some extremists who managed to get the dirt going.

Generally, they seem like a peaceful nation with a million casanovas! Most of the Turks I'd met would rather stay there to make their money off the toursim industry- but i can see why those with no business or education would resort to doing what you're saying- although i am not making excuses for them at all.

Answer 4

It's so funny how people make such horrible comments on a nation they don't have an idea about. It's true that not everything is perfect in Turkey, but blaming Turkey for being violent towards Kurds is just bullshit. Kurds have the same rights as Turks here, and they live in the same way as Turks do. There's no problem with them. We really don't have a problem. But Turkey has been fighting against terrorism for years now but European countries tend to see this as if it's a problem among Turks and Kurds (the way they want to see it). No. This is a problem among the state and the terrorism. Now people are blaming Middle East countries for not fighting against terrorist organizations such as Hizbullah but we are blamed for fighting against PKK. This is hypocrisy. If you want an objective opinion about Turkey, come here and see how Turks and Kurds live in peace. Do not repeat what your politicians or media teaches you.

Moreover, you know how disturbing it is to see stupid people who ask stupid questions such as "Should Hagia Sophia be returned to Catholic church and should this be a condition for Turkey's entrance to EU?"

This is really stupid. I'm afraid soon people will say things like "Turkey shouldn't be allowed in the Union if they don't kiss our asses". Sure.

Plus, most Turkish citizens are fed up with EU story. It's not like we're dying to be a part of it, but politicians are politicians everywhere.

Answer 5

At Les Halles paying for mall, people located stretchers and "victims" coated with white sheets. The signs and indications have been approximately Turkey's medical care of political prisoners, and the stretchers coated an area of roughly 5 city blocks. i'm no longer asserting it won't take place yet while the techniques-set of the French is any indication the possibility is slender and none.

Answer 6

Not until Turkey returns to the Republic as designed by Atta Turk. Turkey is seen by most Europeans as a seedy mess, where it is still possible to be punished for saying something against the state or government. To the minds of most Europeans, this sounds positively medieval.

Answer 7

Thank god for the quiet man, turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 killing 1000's and 1000's are still missing.If anyone has visited just outside famagusta you will know that the Turks beheaded entire families (but what do you expect from a bunch of Neanderthal Islamic dogs).Add to that to the consistent story's of children of Kurds being tortured in police cell with some not making it out alive.Then the ones who say they should be allowed in are either Neanderthals or Neanderthal Islamic dogs

Answer 8

Turkey has a bad human right record but not more than the other European country.
so EU can consider Turkey as a member because both r violating human rights all over the world.

Answer 9

According to my research: Less educated people have little chance to get a decent job in Turkey. For them, easier way to get a reasonable living standards (without any educational quality) is to refuge to some wealthy European countries. Recall that: In the past, millions of Europeans migrated to America, just for some better living standards.

To me, European Union membership should be evaluated by using more parameters (not by using some example situations).

Answer 10

It is a good development for Turkey to become a member of the EU. Turkey will thereby unwittingly become a moderating link between the West and the Arab/muslim world. Who knows, it might be the begining of the advent of greater world peace.