Turkey's President Erdoğan comments on EP voting
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave a speech at the Conference of KADEM (Women and Democracy Association) on Women and Justice today (November 25) at Wow Hotel in İstanbul.
After touching on women’s issues in Turkey and worldwide, Erdoğan also talked about the recent voting of European Parliament for freezing Turkey’s EU accession talks in the face of widespread violations of rights that have been taking place in Turkey in scope of operations handled under state of emergency, which has been declared following the coup attempt of July 15.
Erdoğan said: “So, some representatives said yes in yesterday’s voting (at EP). So what if all of you say yes?... Neither myself, nor this nation cares about such baseless threats…Let's not forget; Europe needs Turkey...”
‘Humanity has come from Adam and Eve; and, they are equal’
Parts of Erdoğan’s speech are as follows: “Today, our friends who are ministers, scientists, civil society representatives, academicians, and executives from different parts of the world will be sharing their views here. I believe that various topics ranging from refugees to work life and media to law will be discussed. I know that it is not possible to reach any of our goals without solving the problems of women.
In our belief, humanity has emerged and spread from first human and first prophet Adam and from Eve. Just as we mention Adam with respect as the first man, we mention Eve, who is the first woman, with the sam approach. It says in the Koran that we have been created by a man and a woman. Here, there is no verdict deeming one as superior than the other. There is equality in creation... We reject any kind of mindset that scorns women because of their sex.”
‘After further discussions, the bill on under age marriage will be brought to parliament floor again’
“We are faced with injustice based on sex… While injustice for men take place as exploitation of labor; it is different for women. Their work in house is overlooked; they are discriminated against at workplace. And, there is the pressure of fitting in with the stereotype image of the modern woman... Women’s issues have come to the fore quite frequently lately. It caught my attention that this proposed bill was not prepared diligently and it had opened the way for abuse. I suggested to our government, our parliament, and even our people that this bill should be evaluated through more comprehensive discussions. And, our government has decided for to be withdrawn. After further discussions, it will be brought to our parliament again... If there are marriages in our country that are done under ages allowed by law, necessary steps for solving this must be taken. Firstly, a change of perception is necessary among our society members. And, the role in that is on the government and the state, along with all civil society organizations, media, and families...”
‘If it were not for the refugee problem, these people’s tragedy would not have been heard’
“Cruelty and clashes experienced in countries like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Somali are brought to world agenda only as interest points and threat of refugees. If it were not for the problem of refugees, the possibility of these people’ tragedy having a place in the agenda would have been almost none... Millions of Aylans and Omrans are waiting for affection and mercy around the world. Are there any steps taken for them? No!”
‘So what if even all of you had voted against us?’
“So, now, there is a step taken. Should Turkey enter the EU or not? Why? Because, Erdoğan is giving truthful statements. About 30-40 people gathered and voted on a resolution. So what even if all of you had said ‘yes’ to that resolution (to freeze talks with EU)? Europe has never treated humanity with honesty… We are the ones feeding 3 million refugees; you (EU) have not kept your promises… Look, if you come further, these doors will be opened: just know that! Neither myself, nor my nation care about such baseless threats.”
‘The world is bigger than the 5’
“So, why do I say the world is bigger than 5? The 5 countries of the UN Security Council cannot determine the fate of the world. There are no longer the conditions of WWII in the world. Is eah religion, ethnicity, and continent represented there? So, what do we say? We say that a UN Security Council where 196 countries are not represented cannot represent or bring justice. So, on top of the deceiving of 5 permenant members, they have also come up with the trick of 15 temporary members. Enough is enough with this deception... Currently, the permenant members are France, England, and Russia from Europe; China from Asia; and, US from America. There are no representatives from other countries. Muslims with a population of 1.7 billion are not represented. Who is going to talk about the issues of the Muslims; who is going to defend them? There could be no justice here. I have to touch on this at the UN Generel Assembly. And, I am doing this not only for 1,7 Muslim people but for the sake of all of humanity...”
‘Look at that miserable man (Kılıçdaroğlu)’
“In my country, the person who is the head of the main opposition party says ‘this (EP decision) is a sanction and there will be more to it.’ Look at that miserable man! Have those who have not open the doors of EU to this country for 53 years been imposing sanctions? What happened? Have we collapsed? Where we have carried Turkey to in 14 years is obvious for all to see! West needs Turkey! Turkey, which has been housing 3 million refugees here, did not open its doors thinking whether EU would give support or not. We could not have left those people to the mercy of the cruels...”