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ANKARA: Sahin: Bans And Restrictions Are Threats Against Regime

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  • ANKARA: Sahin: Bans And Restrictions Are Threats Against Regime

    Anadolu Agency
    March 24 2004

    Turkish State Minister Sahin: Bans And Restrictions Are In Fact
    Threats Against Regime

    ISTANBUL - Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet
    Ali Sahin said on Wednesday that bans and restrictions were in fact
    threats against the regime.

    Speaking in a ceremony held as about 200 people joined the Justice
    and Development Party (AK Party), including members of Jewish and
    Armenian societies in Istanbul, Sahin noted that the government tried
    to comply with the democratic standards of the civilized world.

    Therefore, Sahin said, the government made many new arrangements to
    meet Copenhagen criteria.

    Sahin said, ''we know problems that foundations of societies are
    facing for years. Every citizen of Turkish Republic is a first class
    citizen. Nobody can make any discrimination among Turkish citizens
    whatever their religion, race or culture are.''

    They had made some changes related with foundations as a part of
    European Union (EU) adjustment laws, Sahin stated.

    But, Sahin noted, there were still some problems in implementation of
    new laws.

    Sahin said, ''why should there be a difference between foundations
    formed by citizens who believe in Islam and citizens who believe in
    other religions? Why shouldn't they be subject to the same
    regulation? Naturally, they should be subject to the same
    regulation.''

    Legal works and arrangements on foundations still continued, Sahin
    pointed out.

    Sahin stressed that Turkish citizens living abroad could freely
    perform their religious duties and noted that it should be the same
    for Turkish citizens of foreign origin.

    ''We want full democracy, freedom of belief and worship in Turkey.
    And, we are exerting efforts to prevent our citizens from facing any
    problems. We don't think that this will weaken democracy or threaten
    the regime. Because, bans and restrictions are in fact threats
    against the regime. If citizens of this country say how fair the
    state is and how freely they can perform their religious duties,
    then, this will strengthen the regime and democracy,'' Sahin added.

    The law on amendment to several laws which is publicly known as the
    seventh EU adjustment package also includes arrangements regarding
    foundations.

    The bill amends additional third article of the decree with the force
    of law on establishment and duties of the Directorate General of
    Foundations.

    In accordance with this amendment, foundations formed in Turkey can
    be a member of foundations and organizations formed outside Turkey
    under the permission of the Interior Ministry and positive opinion of
    the Foreign Ministry in case cooperation of the foundations are
    considered beneficial.

    Foundations formed in foreign countries can hold activities, open
    branches and cooperate with some other foundations in Turkey with the
    consent of the Interior Ministry and opinion of the Foreign Ministry.
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