Fascism and AKP Police State in Turkey Restrictions and Social Effects During the AKP Period Seyhan Uludag
Türkçe
Fascism in Turkey and the AKP Police State Restrictions and Social Impacts During the AKP Era Seyhan Uludag The political and social transformations experienced in Turkey since the beginning of the AKP government indicate an increase in fascist practices in the country. During this process, factors such as the oppression of freedom of expression, the restriction of workers' rights, the erosion of judicial independence and control over the media reveal Turkey's gradual transformation into a police state. This article will examine these fascist practices during the AKP era in detail and make comparisons with similar examples around the world. The oppression of freedom of expression is particularly striking during the AKP government. Internet restrictions, access restrictions imposed on social media platforms and the banning of various websites are obvious examples of how the government strengthens its control mechanisms. For example, following the coup attempt in 2016, access to information sources such as Wikipedia was blocked in Turkey and restrictions on platforms such as Twitter and YouTube were increased. Such censorship practices severely restrict freedom of expression and limit society’s right to access information. The oppression of workers’ rights is another aspect of the AKP’s authoritarian stance. Workers’ strikes and union activities in various sectors have been banned or severely restricted on the grounds of “public order” and “national security.” This prevents workers from seeking their rights and weakens their capacity to protect their economic and social rights. Similarly, in countries like Russia, authoritarian regimes keep social opposition under control by suppressing workers’ movements and union organizations. Control over the media and mafiaization are among the most dangerous dimensions of fascist practices in Turkey. Many newspapers and television channels have been purchased by business people close to the government or have begun to be directly controlled by the state. This prevents the public from being informed about the truth and increases the manipulation of society. In addition, some political figures and their ties to the mafia show how deep corruption and the flow of black money have become in the country. These relations lead to the abuse of state power and the unfair functioning of judicial processes. For example, allegations of corruption in public tenders and major state projects are signs of decay at both the economic and political levels. The erosion of judicial independence is also a clear indicator of authoritarianism in Turkey. The politicization and loss of independence of the judiciary weakens the rule of law and increases threats to individual rights. This creates an environment in which justice only works for those who support the government, while dissenting voices are silenced or punished. Similar judicial manipulations are used in countries such as Iran and Venezuela to strengthen authoritarian regimes’ control over the people. Turkey’s gradual transformation into a police state is manifested by the state’s security forces and intelligence agencies being equipped with extensive powers. The increasing violence, detention and arrest cases in the security forces’ intervention in protests and demonstrations clearly reveal the state’s oppressive methods. Such activities are considered as part of the government’s efforts to suppress all forms of opposition and maintain social control, which in turn is leading to the strengthening of undemocratic forms of governance in Turkey. The political and social transformations experienced in Turkey under the AKP rule show that the country is evolving towards an authoritarian regime. The increase in fascist practices is leading to the erosion of democratic values in many areas, from freedom of expression to workers’ rights, from media control to the erosion of judicial independence. This situation has serious consequences for Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy, and is damaging Turkey’s reputation and democratic identity in the international community. It is of great importance for Turkey’s democratic future to combat these authoritarian tendencies and re-establish the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms.
