ECHR Decision Would Affect Europe

Professor Doctor Nilufer Narli talked to Bianet about the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling against a student who claimed the headscarf ban at universities violated her human rights. Narli said the ruling would have consequences both in Turkey and abroad.

"Legal basis for argument is lost"

Narli said the ruling would put the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government in a difficult position against its supporters. "AKP will have disappointed both its supporters in Turkey and the Turks abroad who have been fighting for headscarf freedom," she said.

"It will be very hard for AKP to argue that the headscarf ban in public places is a violation of human rights and freedom of faith, and to base its case on this argument," said the professor. According to her, all groups in Europe, that are spending efforts for headscarf freedom, have lost legal basis for their arguments.

"The problem is not solved, but now, there is an answer"

In response to the question: "What will headscarf advocates do from now on?" Narli said: "The ECHR ruling may cause certain groups in Turkey and in Europe to become radical."

"The ECHR ruling does not solve the headscarf problem. But it has given a very clear answer to it. European justice has confirmed the decisions of the Turkish justice. This way, international law has also been exhausted after internal law," said Narli. She added:

* The ECHR ruling also answers the debates in Germany and France. When a similar case is opened in European countries, the ECHR decision will serve as precedent.

* Groups, which have lost their legal basis in their fight for headscarves, can now decide to mobilize people to continue their efforts. They can organize protests in the streets and try to radicalize some groups using the headscarf issue.

"They will continue to use women for their own political aim"

"At the same time, some of the women wearing headscarves will become even more isolated, some will take off their headscarves, and some will become even more radical by joining organized activities," said Narli. She added that the men would continue to use women for their own political aim.

"Woman, in the Muslim world, is an object, an image that preserves all Islamic and patriarchal values. Thus, men will continue to use women for their own political aim," said the professor adding that she is looking forward to see what AKP's attitude will be toward the headscarf issue from now on.

"If Leyla Sahin appeals the decision, the AKP government will have to defend the state against Sahin. This will put AKP against its supporters. As a person doing research in this field, I will watch and see how AKP handles this crisis." (BB/YS/EA/YE)