Can show trials strengthen confidence in the rule of law?

The European Commission apparently thinks they can. Its latest progress report on Turkey concludes its review of the Ergenekon/Sledgehammer cases with the following amazing statement:

“Overall, the investigation into the alleged criminal network Ergenekon and the probe into several other coup plans remain an opportunity for Turkey to strengthen confidence in the proper functioning of its democratic institutions and the rule of law. However, there are concerns as regards judicial guarantees for all suspects. Turkey still needs to align its legislation as regards procedure and grounds for closure of political parties with European standards.”

It is understandable that the Commission needs to be diplomatic, and the caveats indicate that they understand there are problems in the judicial proceedings. But what is not excusable is the faith that the report’s authors retain – after three years of accumulated evidence on deliberate undermining of the rule of law – in these trials’ potential for strengthening democracy in Turkey.

Here is how Wikipedia defines a “show trial”:

“The term show trial is a pejorative description of a type of highly public trial. The term was first recorded in the 1930s. There is a strong connotation that the judicial authorities have already determined the guilt of the defendant and that the actual trial has as its only goal to present the accusation and the verdict to the public as an impressive example and as a warning. Show trials tend to be retributive rather than correctional justice.”

This describes perfectly what is going on in Turkey at present. The Ergenekon/Sledgehammer trials are waged in a highly public manner, supported by media campaigns of disinformation and defamation targeted at the defendants. The prosecutors and the police evince little interest in uncovering the truth or going after real crimes. Planted and forged evidence is deployed widely and uncritically. The government blatantly uses the trials for political gain. And the ultimate objectives are payback and political leverage rather than justice.

Listen to Margaret Owen's description of what's going on in a trial at the moment of some leading Kurdish politicians (ht: Nilgun Gokgur).

“It is clear from the 7,500-page indictment and so-called supporting evidence that there are no grounds for suspecting any actual crimes have been committed, such as references to weapons, acts of violence, or conspiracy for terrorism. Most of the evidence is based on (unlawful) wiretapping and bugging to draw conclusions from private daily conversations, or on routine political propaganda and secret statements by anonymous prosecution witnesses.

Innocent conversations, for example, referring to the purchasing of "tomatoes" or "bread", are construed as codes for bombs and grenades and have found their way into the indictment, along with intimate and personal conversations between family members and friends.”

This trial of Kurdish politicians is separate and independent from the Ergenekon/Sledgehammer trials. But the prosecutorial tactics are identical.

In fact, the state of Turkish justice is far worse than what Owen reveals. In some of the key cases such as Sledgehammer, judicial wrongdoings go much farther and there is very strong evidence that the prosecutors are basing their case on fabricated evidence, disregarding all signs that the documents they use have been forged.

It is too bad that the European Commission cannot tell the difference between real justice and show trials.

Comments

[Don Stoll]

I notice that the European Commission progress report does not assert strengthening of confidence in the rule of law—merely that investigation and probe "remain an opportunity for Turkey to strengthen confidence in. . . the rule of law." But the lawyerly distinction between strengthening and "remain[ing] an opportunity" to strengthen will leave a bad taste in the mouths of all who remember former Pres. Clinton's hairsplitting "denial" of sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. Shame on the European Commission!

[electronic components]

nice sharing and i like it

[still life oil paintings]

You got a genuinely useful web site We have been here reading for about an hour. I am a newbie and your success is extremely a lot an inspiration for me.

[pandora-bracelets-australia]

I really enjoyed this too!

[Designer replica handbags]

I love your blog!

[tiffany jewellery]

good topic

[Louis Vuitton]

I just hope to have understood this the way it was meant.

[monclerlife]

This continuous drought has led the amazon river flows through a Peruvian than in 2005, Moncler jackets down to the water below the lowest in 40 years, this means for decades the amazon rainforest in South America will has long been moncler jackets moncler coats devastating drought in the most severe threat, the drought. The scientists from Peru and Brazil, moncler sale said during the annual monsoon season now becomes very typical of the rainfall in rainy season, but should be early rain lasts a few weeks. Moncler With a view of such drought will continue, because the Atlantic hurricane absorption of severe form of the amazon region took a vapor. Moncler jackets sale Guardiola admit need careful, especially recently spoke about real Madrid and dingyi topic. Help the media, but the repeated the Barcelona coach can only be serious, I don’t want to say any words mourinho said coach how transfers-will have their own ideas, Moncler jackets Men I respect each player, fans, they will understand you is sent first or substitute intention, coach impossible everybody. Although Barcelona in moncler strength, moncler jackets women but start in la liga is obvious, mourinho was worried about other teams will give barca gave for the title this season, he had to act as a provocation to la liga ZhuDui alarming. Guardiola is also capable of this point, so in this sensitive, moncler jackets women black he didn’t want to concentrate on unnecessary waste build-up.

[uggs discount]

I recently invested a rain-dominated short break regardless of the actuality that in the Basque place of Spain.

[oem usb]

[url=http://www.usb-disk.com]wholesale flash drives [/url]weche zkthug et ben95 sa tourne jusqua bordeaux walah les frere vous nikez tou yes we can elle est barbare gonesse gang aiii enfait gonesse c la ville ou la cité ??
[url=http://www.onlineusb.net]wholesale usb [/url]
[url=http://www.topusbdrive.com]wholesale usb [/url]

[oakley sunglasses]

Your post is pretty illuminating and practical,I completely agree with the above comment. Thanks for the sharing.Will you share more about it? I just want to know more.You are very talented.I guess, this site would be my farorite one. Thank you again!!!

[gaojia]

This is 0.28inch (7mm) font size single digit surface mount seven segment display, this device with upper and lower decimal point, configuration in common anode or common cathode. Seven segment SMD display, available in red, yellow, green and orange. This device is much smaller than traditional components, thus enable customers to design in applications that require small size, higher packing density and low power consumption. http://www.chinaicmart.com

[Louis Vuitton]

personally, i think it does work.

[sweechin]

ohh goodness, Nice :D I was thinking about buying this product but could not find it. Thanx for the share.

http://www.worldoftrade.com/sell/abercrombie-hoodie.htm

[Abercrombie Jeans]

find it. Thank you so much for posting this blog. ohh I've been looking for it for so Long. Splendid.

http://www.worldoftrade.com/sell/abercrombie-jeans.htm

[Adidas Leather Jackets]

ohh goodness, Nice :D I was thinking about buying this product but could not find it. Thanx for the share.

http://www.worldoftrade.com/sell/adidas-leather-jackets.htm

[Amber Jewelry]

I wanted this for so long... Finally i found this at your site... I wanted this for my self and was wishing for a long time.

http://www.worldoftrade.com/sell/amber-jewelry.htm

[Artful Dodger Jeans]

Oh wow finally i found this blog such a really nice blog thanks!

http://www.worldoftrade.com/sell/artful-dodger-jeans.htm

[Baby Phat Handbags]

I appreciate that looking nice blog.

[moncler jackets]

An excellent blog!I like it.but The meaning of the last paragraph a bit puzzled.It’s always good to have passions in life to keep yourself from going down the negative path and work towards staying positive.I really enjoyed this. You can look your article comments. This information has really been helpful for most of the readers. I really appreciate the way you have written about this. I will really like to read more on this from you. I know your expertise on this. I must say we should have an online discussion on this. Writing only comments will close the discussion straight away! And will restrict the benefits from this information.http://www.vmoncler.com

[Account Deleted]

I came to your article from another article and am really interested in this learning about this. , I feel strongly about information and love learning more on this. If possible, as you gain expertise, It is extremely helpful for me. would you mind updating your blog with more information?
http://www.jerseysonline.co

[Account Deleted]

raf

Thanks for article.

[Account Deleted]

http://www.mbtfootwearusa.com/

[Account Deleted]

sumomaxObesity is a health problem that is obesity. An important problem in both developed and developing countries in particular. Attenuation of the methods and products for the more popular, while the minority part of the problem concerning the weakness of not showing enough effort.

Fried foods, pastries, sweet foods such as calorie consumption can not lose weight in a healthy manner. Essential nutrients our bodies need to take as needed.

[Account Deleted]

Many places and centers offer business and trade promotions to both buyers and supplier.What about the differences in skill intensities across industries? The job losses in the relatively unskilled-labor intensive battery industry should have little effect on the relatively skilled-labor intensive machinery
sexshop
sexyshop
sexshop online
alongador peniano

[Account Deleted]

If you need more traffic to your website check out the website in my name. It really helped me and i think it can help your website.

organic seo service

[D]

Thanks a lot for this post

Mykonos villas

[Account Deleted]

Free Trade is good for consumers my ass. Who says I want a cheaper washing machine made in India that is unbalanced and the agitator breaks off in the wash? I'll pay the extra 200.00 and be happy. Moncler

[Lifenzhu]

Cheap Rosetta Stone
Twitter allows users the ability to update their profile by using their mobile phone either by text messaging or by apps released for certain smartphones / tablets.

[Account Deleted]

Many of the arguments wedding the war in Iraq with a strategy for neoliberal expansion are not readily convincing.

Video Intro
Whiteboard Videos

[SellHouseNash]

Yes they can

SELL YOUR HOUSE NASHVILLE

[Account Deleted]

If a survey is conducted and people are asked in different parts of the world that what their favorite outerwear is which they love to wear in all seasons and occasion, I am sure majority of the participants will answer “leather jackets.”

Designer Leather Jackets for Men

[Rastia Rigie]

Bank Mandiri Bank Terbaik di Indonesia
Bank Mandiri Bank Terbaik di Indonesia
Promo Bonus 100% Sbobet, Ibcbet dan Casino Online Dalam Rangka HUT BAVETLINE Yang Kedua
Masterbet88 Grand Opening Promo Bonus 50% Sportsbook dan Casino Online

[Okadapter]

Compaq Presario CQ60 battery Compaq Presario CQ60 battery Compaq Presario CQ60 battery
Compaq Presario CQ61 battery Compaq Presario CQ61 battery Compaq Presario CQ61 battery
adapteradapteradapter