Human rights, the European Union and the Turkish accession process

Article abstract:

In the political crisis that gripped Turkey during the summer of 2002 the question of completing reforms in civil rights and the protection of minorities was a crucial issue which divided the Ecevit government. This contribution explores the question of human rights in Turkey and its relation to the EU accession process with regard to four leading issues: freedom of expression and association, and of political parties; treatment of ethnic minorities; abolition of capital punishment; and the political role of the military. At appropriate points, it also discusses some important questions about the definition and extent of human rights in general.