Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume VIII, Issue # 184, September 26, 2006
DISSIDENT WATCH: YUCEL ASKIN
By Dr. Michael Rubin
YUCEL ASKIN: TURKISH DISSIDENT WHO HAS BEEN IN THE EYE OF THE
STORM CENTERING ON ISLAMIST ENCROACHMENT ON TURKEY'S SECULAR
UNIVERSITIES -- DEFENDING CONSTITUTIONALISM, THE RULE OF LAW, &
THE SEPARATION OF GOVERNMENT & RELIGION -- RESISTING EFFORTS OF
PRIME MINISTER RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN & HIS RULING JUSTICE &
DEVELOPMENT PARTY TO WEAKEN TURKEY'S SECULAR FOUNDATIONS &
DESTROY THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE COUNTRY'S EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS -- DEFENDING THE TURKISH REPUBLIC AGAINST THE
FORCES OF POLITICAL ISLAM
FULL STORY: On October 14, 2005, police in the eastern Turkish
city of Van arrested Yücel Askin, the Rector of Yüzüncü Yil
University, on charges stemming from alleged corruption
involving the purchase of medical equipment. In an effort to
humiliate the Rector, the police allowed local television to
film Askin's arrest and denied him bail. Few outside observers
accepted the charges, and, within days, university presidents
across Turkey were rallying in Van for the freedom of their
colleague. [1]
Askin has been in the eye of a storm centering on Islamist
encroachment in Turkish universities. As Yüzüncü Yil Rector, he
defied pressure from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's
ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has sought to
break down the barriers between mosque and state in Turkey.
Askin defended secularism, questioned the qualifications of
those with exclusively religious educations to gain admittance
to secular universities, and enforced the headscarf ban.
These charges were not the first leveled against Askin. Police
raided his home in July, 2005, in search of illicit antiquities
and arrested him on charges of violating the law on protection
of cultural assets. [2] A judge later dropped the charges when
it emerged that Askin held government licenses for every
artifact in his possession. [3] The corruption charges appeared
just as spurious. The University purchased the medical equipment
a year before Askin became rector. [4] It would be difficult for
the Rector to corrupt a decision of which he was not part.
Still, the government is determined to press the case, not only
against Askin, but also against his senior administrative
colleagues. On November 13, 2005, University General Secretary
Enver Arpali committed suicide after being held for months
without trial. Askin's trial has yet to be scheduled. [5]
The Turkey Higher Education Board (YÖK) has condemned the
situation. Soon after Askin's arrest, it released a statement
indicating that "defending the Rector amounted to defending the
Republic." [6] Prime Minister Erdogan responded by warning the
rectors to "mind their own business." [7] While the court
replaced one judge after determining he was biased in favor of
the AKP, [8] YÖK Chairman Erdogan Teziç's comments that
"politicization of the judiciary poses a serious threat to our
country," [9] drew an angry response from the government
prosecutors, who announced a new investigation into the YÖK for
illegal criticism. [10]
The rule of law has suffered under the AKP as the party
implements its agenda to weaken Turkey's secular foundations.
Erdogan has launched an all-out assault on institutions and
independent panels. On March 1, 2006, over the objections of the
President, the AKP-dominated Parliament passed a bill to found
fifteen new universities. Rather than bolster education, the
move will better enable Erdogan to control it. Fifteen new
university rectors drawn from a field of the Prime Minister's
candidates means fifteen new votes on the Higher Education
Council, enabling the Prime Minister to undercut the YÖK's
anti-Islamist consensus. [11]
At an AKP meeting on February 14, 2006, Erdogan complained about
continued bans on teachers wearing headscarves and called on the
judiciary to change its mindset. [12] If constitutionalism and
the rule of law are to be preserved in Turkey, though, it is the
Prime Minister who must change his mindset.
NOTES:
[1] Sabah (Istanbul), Oct. 23, 2005.
[2] Milliyet (Istanbul), July 17, 2005.
[3] Turkish Daily News (Ankara), Dec. 16, 2005.
[4] Turkish Daily News, Dec. 23, 2005.
[5] Sabah, Nov. 13, 2005.
[6] Turkish Daily News, Oct. 20, 2005.
[7] Turkish Daily News, Oct. 21, 2005.
[8] Turkish Daily News, Dec. 15, 2005.
[9] Turkish Daily News, Dec. 23, 2005.
[10] Turkish Daily News, Jan. 31, 2006.
[11] Turkish Daily News, Mar. 2, 2006.
[12] Turkish Daily News, Feb. 15, 2006.
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