(VOVworld) - Turkey, which used to have a successful Islamic political model, is experiencing instability with widespread anti-government demonstrations lasting for over 10 days. Although Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made some concessions, the opportunity to immediately end the demonstration movement has not been achieved because of inner instability in the country.
An explosion in Istanbul's Taksim square on June 11 (photo: Reuters) |
After 6 hours of cabinet meetings on Tuesday, Prime Minister Erdogan agreed to meet with leaders of the demonstration groups to listen to their opinions. In addition to conciliating actions, the government of Prime Minister Erdogan said it will not allow any illegal demonstrations in the country and warned of limited patience with anti-government protests. Yesterday, police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of protestors in the capital of Ankara. Meanwhile, thousands of people are gathering in Taksim square in Istanbul to ask for Erdogan’s resignation.
Anti-government demonstrations derived from a peaceful environmental protest against government-backed plans to replace Gezi park in central Istanbul with a shopping center. The government overuse of forces to disperse the crowds has touched off anti-government demonstrations across Turkey. So far, 280 offices and shops and scores of police cars in 67 cities and towns were destroyed. The total losses are estimated at 40 million USD. At least 3 people were killed and 5,000 were injured.
Returning home from his visit to Africa, Prime Minister Erdogan has appealed to Turkish people that current violence should not be considered as democracy. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc moved to calm tensions saying the government 'learned it’s lesson' and called on responsible citizens to stop their demonstrations. But disturbances have exceeded 200 and have no sign of ending.
The demonstrations express the people’s increasing disappointment towards the government of Prime Minister Erdogan. It is undeniable that in recent years, Turkey has recorded remarkable developments in politics and economy which raised its status in the region and the world. But in its internal affairs, the “Islamic politics” of the Justice and Development Party has always encountered strong opposition from non-religious people. The policies of restricting the sale of alcohol and capturing journalists, writers, and artists have inflamed people. They accuse the policy of being excessively conservative and violating private lives. Opposition parties have taken advantage of the situation to accuse the Justice and Development Party of forming a conservative Islamic state model instead of the current secular state.
Referring to developments in Tunisia and Egypt, the gap between the Islamic and secular advocates has widened. The Islamic leaders are blamed for not implementing their commitments to ensure human rights and freedom.
The movement in Turkey is considered an alarm disparaging the illusion of “a locomotive leading to changes” heralded by secular advocates. The demonstrators are not simply the people’s reaction against a controversial project or policy. Looking back on the situation in countries which experienced an “Arab Spring”, small events like this could ignite disagreements which smoldered in people over the ruling government’s performance.
Analysts say there are three solutions for Turkey. First, Prime Minister Erdogan resigns and the country organizes an early election. Second, the protestors might face tougher suppression from the police in the coming days. But if the government practices restraint by not arresting demonstrators, and instead holding dialogues, the opposition movement might ease. Third, if the disturbance is not promptly solved, it will worsen as seen in Syria.
International experts say if Ankara’s government does not undertake effective measures to calm the people, the “Arab Spring”, which swept through many regional countries, will occur here.