New law may have even worse consequences for pro-government NGOs, says rights group head

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A new law tightening government control over civil society groups may have an even worse impact on NGOs close to the government, according to Öztürk Türkdoğan, the head of the Human Rights Association (İHD).

According to the law ratified on Sunday (December 27), the Ministry of Interior will be authorized to replace NGO executives who are prosecuted on "terrorism" charges, halt the activities of NGOs and regularly inspect them.

Rights defenders and NGOs have criticized the law, saying that it would violate freedom of association and enable the government to arbitrarily interfere with NGOs' activities.

CLICK - HRW: Turkey's NGO bill threatens civil society

Türkdoğan noted that dissident NGOs had always been under pressure but this wasn't the case for conservative and nationalist groups.

"Nothing has changed for us. This law exists or not, we have always been under pressure," said Türkdoğan. "There are 120,000 associations in Turkey. Organizations that fight against the government are already fighting under all conditions.

"There are investigations and cases regarding almost everyone who is engaged in activities opposing the government.

"However, this situation will bring self-censorship. This is our greatest concern."

"I don't think they are ready for being inspected"

He went on to say that the government wasn't fully aware of what it did as the law would put the NGOs close to the government in a "very difficult situation" as they are not used to being regularly inspected by authorities.

"The government isn't even aware of this. We are experiencing a situation where a political party is moving away from the social and civic space and surrendering itself to the security bureaucracy.

"There may be no more than 50 associations that work in the field of rights and law in Turkey. But there are 120,000 associations in Turkey. If they make a law that affects 120,000 associations for 50 associations, it means that they want a society entirely based on security policies."

Türkdoğan noted that mosque associations and the Grey Wolves, a nationalist group, will also be inspected. "The person who carries out the inspection will not inspect us and them differently. There are standards for an inspection. Grumbling will begin when those standards are applied."

"Are those ready for the inspection? I don't think so. I don't think they have ever complied with proceedings, thinking that 'The state is ours anyway.'

"We are used to it. They already inspect us and everything about us is transparent. Even if it's not, intelligence organizations know everything about us anyway.

"But when this begins to affect their base, there will be incredible reactions."

The appeal at the Constitutional Court

After the law is passed by the parliament, it can be vetoed by the president, which is unlikely to happen, or annulled by the Constitutional Court.

Only the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) can bring the law to the top court. If it does that, the İHD will apply to be involved as a third party, Türkdoğan said.

Several provisions of the law are against the Constitution, he noted. "Compulsory inspections are against the Constitution. The dismissal of prosecuted executives without a court decision is against the Constitution. Issues regarding charity collection are against the Constitution. All of them concern the essence of the right; remove the essence of the right to association." (HA/VK)