Since the demonstrations broke out in Turkey last week, an unprecedented number of articles have been published highlighting the deeper causes of people’s grievances.
Many analyses suggest that the problems with the rule of law, good governance, democracy and fundamental rights were apparent long before the chants of demonstrators brought them to the surface. But if the problems were so clear, why were so few articles with this focus published before?
In Turkey we know of the lack of press freedom, and of (self) censorship, but in the EU and the US the economic success and the ambitious role of Turkey in the region seemed more attractive stories than the deep polarization in society.
The demonstrations should be a real wake-up call to prime minister Erdogan and his government, that disregard for the different voices in politics and society has reached its limits. But from Washington to Brussels, the demonstrations too should be a wake-up call. Have we done enough? And what should we do in the short and long term?
It has taken EU leaders too long to condemn in unequivocal terms, the harsh crackdown of peaceful demonstrations by the police. Some have also used the demonstrations to create momentum to proclaim Turkey can never join the European Union.
Despite my steadfast criticism of the flaws in Turkey’s democracy and the rule of law over the past years, this conclusion would be a mistake. Instead of estranging Turkey, we must embrace the opportunity of a tipping point towards greater freedoms, and push for reforms that both benefit people now, and the accession process tomorrow.
Marietje Schaake is a Dutch member of the European Parliament (D66/ALDE Group)
Read more: The EU should listen to Turkish demonstrators and engage | Left Foot Forward
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