Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Media ID: 55306296
Caption:

TOPSHOTSBoys wearing Guy Fawkes masks stand on top of a public bus at Taksim square on June 7, 2013. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday his Islamic-rooted government was open to “democratic demands” as he hit back at EU criticism of his handling of a week of deadly unrest. Amid international condemnation of Ankara’s handling of the unrest, European Union Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule told Erdogan that police violence “has no place” in a democracy, urging a “swift” probe into the unrest in Turkey, a longtime EU hopeful. AFP PHOTO / BULENT KILIC

Opinion: Erdoğan and the culture of democracy

by Hashim Saleh | Jun 18, 2013 | Opinion

It should be acknowledged that democracy does not constitute a part of our culture. This is the least that can be said. Democracy is absent on all levels, from the head of the family to the president, from primary schools to universities. We are all immersed from head...

Media ID: 55298124
Caption:

Protesters and activists clash with security forces outside a courthouse in Silivri, April 8, 2013. Source: Reuters/Osman Orsal

Turkish Police Clash With Protesters at Conspiracy Trial

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Apr 8, 2013 | World

Silivri, Reuters—Turkish police fired pressurized water, teargas and pepper spray on Monday as they clashed with thousands of activists protesting outside a court in support of 275 people accused of plotting to topple the government, forcing a delay in the hearing....