Seven reasons why I’m angry at the EU

First of all, I’m angry because the EU has shamelessly reached to its wallet for cash in order to halt the flow of poor refugees into its land. 

Second, I’m angry because the EU is able to conduct negotiations with the mentality of making refugees shelter in other people’s countries.

Third, I’m angry because it can stomach a strategy that thinks as long as it stops refugees from coming, it will absolutely not make an issue of democracy or press freedom in Turkey.

Fourth, I’m angry because it says, “We can lift visas for citizens of the country we have kept at our door for years so long as this country stops this refugee issue from being on us.”

Fifth, I’m angry because it holds the hypocritical, miserable mentality of “loving humankind but not refugees.”

Sixth, I’m angry because although the EU claims to be civilized, when it is the poor refugees in question it becomes little more than savage. 

Seventh, I’m angry because the EU can look us in the eye and say directly, without shame, “Nobody should take refuge in our pretty countries.” 

A couple of words for Turkey’s rulers 

So, I ask Turkey’s leaders: Why were you not able to ask Europe, which believes it is the only address of civilization, why we are taking all the refugees? Why were you not able to ask why the EU is not taking them in? If accepting refugees is such a bad thing, why are we deemed suitable to shoulder this bad thing?

Why did you not cry out to Europe, which is supposedly the flagship of humanitarianism, about why it does not consider refugees to be human? Why did you not ask why it hates refugees? Why did you instead settle for 3 billion euros? 

When Europe said it will lift visas and not make an issue out of democracy, so long as Turkey holds back the refugees, why did you not respond: “Take your visa and shove it. We want humanity”? 

Instead, you were happy with visas and a couple of cents. With much gratitude, you did not even say a word about humanity.

A short and precise petition  

On the subject of the arrests of journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül, I saw their lawyers’ objection. It was widely reported in the media. It was among the world’s shortest but most effective objections to arrests: 

“We are doing our part and are appealing the arrest, which is against the law, the Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. The rest is on you. The choice and responsibility is yours.” 

I love such short and precise texts that explain everything.

Who murdered Tahir Elçi? 

Meanwhile, everybody has a different interpretation of the killing of Diyarbakır Bar Association head Tahir Elçi.

Some say it was definitely the work of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Some say it was definitely the police who shot him. Some say he was caught in the crossfire. Some say it was a stray bullet. Some say it was a planned and programmed murder. Some say it was an organized killing to give the impression that it was committed by the deep state. 

I have one humble suggestion: Let these voices all pipe down and let us all join together in demanding that the state solve the killing through an investigation, in such a way that all of us are satisfied.