• Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

Turkey's Accession to the EU Hindered by Human Rights Dilemma

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

Nora Adel ECLT102-08 E4D2 3 December 2005 Turkey's Accession to the EU Hindered by Human Rights Dilemma The European Union is a democratic family of countries set up to create peace and prosperity ("United"). One of the many countries that have been striving to become a member of this democratic family for almost 50 years now is Turkey (Ahto ,"Leaders") and it almost "got its wish" because on the 3rd of October 2005 negotiations on becoming a member were started (Ahto, "EU "). However, before Turkey can join the EU it must meet the requirements of the Copenhagen entry criteria, which include improving its human rights record ("EU Reports" Ahto).Although Turkey, has had a notoriously poor human rights record , it has recently made significant improvements in this as a result of its desire to join the EU. If Turkey's attempt to join the EU is to be successful it must continue to improve it's human rights, particularly in it's treatment of minorities, its routine use of torture and its treatment of women. ...read more.

Middle

One recent improvement in Turkish Armenian relations is the Black Sea Economic Co-operation meeting because it forces Turkish officials to come to points of agreement with the Armenians. In order to allow the European Union to accept Turkey into its circle of members it will have to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. In addition, Turkey's government system in the past allowed the torture of prisoners during interrogation and punished them during their time in prison. Therefore, "more than four hundred Turkish citizens died in custody" after 1980 ("Turkey"). This and other horrendous events led to the European Union questioning Turkey's Human rights record and that is one of the main reasons why the EU started passing the "penal code" to regulate(Smith). Yet again Turkey has improved because after 1997 it created new laws hoping it would lead to its alignment with the other members of the European Union and improve its prospects for joining the EU ("Eradicating Torture"). Despite the fact that those laws were implemented with the new penal code in mind, they were not fairly carried out by the Turkish government and at times, they were neglected ("Eradicating Torture" 4). ...read more.

Conclusion

the European Union as being "funded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law" (Pavaan-Woolfe). If Turkey is to join the EU Turkey it will have to stop discriminating women which will not be easy, however, because this has been a basic part of Turkey for a long time and so real change will take time (Pavaan-Woolfe). To do this Turkey will have to educate people more on women's rights since it already has begun an "awareness raising event" in 2004 (Pavaan-Woolfe). Gradually, this will change Turkey's harsh attitude towards and harsh view of women. Further, the Turkish government must see to the full implementation of the Law for Family Protecting, which defends most importantly women from "spousal abuse" and the Civil Law that prevents discrimination of women by families (Pavan-Woolfe). Thus, Turkey will have to tackle its human right issue though it might take some time in order to redeem itself in the eyes of the European Union Committee. This means that the European Union has to combat discrimination of minorities, women and mistreatment of prisoners. ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level European Union section.

Found what you're looking for?

  • Start learning 29% faster today
  • 150,000+ documents available
  • Just £6.99 a month

or


Not the one? Search for your essay title...
  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

See related essaysSee related essays

Related AS and A Level European Union essays

  1. A clear explanation of key underpinning economic theories relevant to the EU.

    This treaty helped to create jobs, improve border checks and the protection of the environment. Opportunities and threats for UK business Today, over £130 billion of Britain's trade is with the European Union and 3 million people employed as of the European Union.

  2. To What Extent Does the EU Display a 'Democratic Deficit'?

    instead of their loyal core. The next problem that the European Parliament has in fulfilling the criteria for a democratic institution (in the liberal democratic sense) is the lack of accountability that MEPs have to their constituents. Firstly, the PR (Proportional Representation) electoral system used in the UK and other countries is the party list system, which creates multimember constituencies.

  1. Back ground information about the EU

    social exclusion and the least-privileged groups, disabled people employment and vocational training, especially for long-term unemployed and young people and social protection. The European Union has established minimum standards for health and safety at work and for equal treatment between men and women.

  2. "Critically Discuss the Prospective Economic and Political Impact of Turkish Accession to the European ...

    Economical effects In this column the economic burdens will be shown followed by the economic gains. The economic part of the Copenhagen Criteria Turkey has to fulfil is a functioning market economy and the ability to compete in the EU internal market.

  1. European colonialism in Southeast Asia.

    Thus, the different treatments and benefits received by different groups in India resulted in different reactions against the British colonial government. Those who gained and benefited from changes implemented by the British would tend to support them. However, even the initial Indian middle class who supported the British felt a

  2. The Institutional Consequences of Domestic Politics on Africa's International Relations and Regional Cooperation.

    The average European could define African traditional understanding of justice as jungle. A typical example might suffice. In Anambra State of Nigeria, there was an upsurge in armed robbery and crime. Armed robbers invaded residential buildings, raped and maimed their victims.

  1. European Union Lobbying.

    and can help to build that wider consensus which is essential in the European Parliament on certain issues." European Commission Each EU member state appoints either one or two European Commissioners, depending on the size of the nation - France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain each appoint two Commissioners, while

  2. What is the history of the EU?

    The greatest challenge Europe's peoples now face is that of welcoming the applicant countries in Central Europe, the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the Baltic area over the next few years. Where are we to find the resources needed to help them rise to the economic and structural levels of EU countries in the shortest possible time?

  • Over 160,000 pieces
    of student written work
  • Annotated by
    experienced teachers
  • Ideas and feedback to
    improve your own work