TURKEY

History

Turkey, where eastern and western civilizations meet, has embraced the oldest civilizations of the world. Therefore she has got a rich mosaic.

After the World War I. when the Ottoman Empire that covered the present boundaries of Turkey, was in collapse due to some internal and external reasons, the Turkish Nation led by Mustafa Kemal ATATURK fought Independence War (1919-1922) in order to build an independent and contemporary state within the boundaries of National Pact. After the Independence War, the present boundaries of Turkey were determined by the Treaty of Lausanne (July 24th, 1923). After this Treaty, on October 29, 1923, regime, law, economy, education, health, social and cultural systems of the Ottoman Empire were abolished and the Republic was proclaimed.

That the State is a democratic, parliamentary, secular and social state of law which respects human rights is ensured in the Constitution as required by a Republican regime. In this regard all laws were imported and adopted from contemporary, modern European states after having been translated into Turkish. (For instance: Criminal Law from Italy, Law of Criminal Proceedings from Germany, Civil Code from Switzerland). Again in this context, the Arabic alphabet that was previously used was abandoned and instead the Latin alphabet was adopted, and time, weight and length measures of Europe were adopted and accordingly the first steps were taken towards a more effective education system and integration with Europe.

On the other hand everybody was granted the right to elect and to be elected without any discrimination of sex, that is the vital element of democracy. Turkish women had been granted the right to elect and to be elected (in 1934) before many European women. All of the non-contemporary elements and traditions of the Ottoman Empire which had continued for hundreds of years were changed. (For example, wearing hat instead of fez, reforms of dress and clothing, establishing new contemporary schools instead of religious schools).

During 70 years after the foundation of the Republic, intense efforts for modernization have been made. However recalling the fact that a period of 70 years is considered to be a very short time in a State's life, it will take some more time for social reforms to be established and for Turkish people, particularly for those living in rural areas, to leave 600 years old Ottoman Imperial Culture. On the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic all officials governing Turkey, including politicians and bureaucrats, are people who have grown up with the Republican culture during the Republican period. As a cause of this factor, there are many female officials, senior officers, ministers and deputies at Turkish Grand National Assembly. In this context, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey is still Mrs. Tansy Çiller. The fact that Mrs. Tansy Çiller is the Prime Minister is an important example of the respect shown and the confidence felt for Turkish women and the level of the tasks they undertake.

As a result, Turkey has applied to EEC for membership as a democratic, secular and social state of law respecting human rights with all her institutions with the steps she has taken in the fields of education, health, law and industry.

Government

In Turkey the regime is a Republic, The Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state of law which is devoted to the nationalism of Ataturk and respects human rights by having the understanding of public peace, national solidarity and justice. Everybody has got freedom of thought, expression, conscience and religion. There is separation of powers in Turkey. Power of legislation belongs to the Turkish Grand National Assembly on behalf of the Turkish Nation. Task and Power of execution is exercised and implemented by the President and the Cabinet in accordance with the Constitution and laws. Power of Jurisdiction is exercised by independent courts on behalf of Turkish Nation. Provisions of the Constitution are the basic legal principles which are binding for institutions of legislations, execution and jurisdiction, authorities of administration and other organizations and individuals. State institutions and authorities of administration, in all their proceedings, have to act in accordance with the principle of equality in the presence of law. Every activity of the Administration and Legislation is subject to inspection of jurisdiction. The central offices of the Administration are the Ministries and the organizations attached to them in the Capital Ankara but in the provinces are the municipalities and provincial, country and town authorities.

Economy

Turkey has a dynamic economy that is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with traditional village agriculture and crafts. It has a strong and rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a major role in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. Its most important industry - and largest exporter - is textiles and clothing, which is almost entirely in private hands. The economic situation in recent years has been marked by rapid growth coupled with partial success in implementing structural reform measures. Inflation declined to 70% in 1998, down from 99% in 1997, but the public sector fiscal deficit probably remained near 10% of GDP - due in large part to interest payments which accounted for 42% of central government spending in 1998. The government enacted a new tax law and speeded up privatisation in 1998 but made no progress on badly needed social security reform. Ankara is trying to increase trade with other countries in the region yes most of Turkey’s trade is still with OECD countries. Despite the implementation in January 1996 of a customs union with the EU, foreign direct investment in the country remains low, perhaps because potential investors are concerned about still-high inflation and the unsettled political situation.

Police

The Minister of the Interior is the person who is responsible for security and public order of the Republic of Turkey. The Minister of the Interior performs his task through General Command of Gendarmerie and General Directorate of Security.

In Turkey the security services in cities (within the boundaries of municipalities) are performed by the police but in rural areas by the gendarmerie. There are more than 140.000 officers within the Police Organization and more than 100.000 within the Gendarmerie. The Police Organization is divided into four divisions, criminal, administrative, political and traffic.