Global Voices Online

Deborah Ann Dilley

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October 8th, 2009

Middle East & North Africa

Having obtained a press pass for the World Bank/IMF Meetings being held this week in Istanbul, Turkey; Erkan's Field Diary gives us a behind the scenes view of the proceedings.

For the next five days the Eiffel Tower will be lit up in red and white in honor of the Season of Turkey in France. According to The Istanbulian “This nice gesture is a sign of historical friendship between two countries, emphasizing the fact that not all the French people are prejudiced and hostile against Turks.”

July 22nd, 2009

Middle East & North Africa

Talk Turkey commends Dr. Oz (of Oprah fame) for his ability to speak perfect Turkish while lecturing to Turkish medical students. “Sure he has an accent. Sure he sounds like a ‘foreigner' when he speaks Turkish. But the reality is; for a man born and raised in the U.S., he is to be commended. Let it be a lesson to transplanted Turks who insist on speaking English at all costs at home with their kids, and intentionally deprive them of growing up mastering a second language.”

July 21st, 2009

Middle East & North Africa

Children of the Sun reports that the July 8th issue of the Kurdish newspaper Azadiya Welat was confiscated by authorities after it published allegations of a 23-year old woman who was raped by men claiming to the be the police. Reportedly, there have been more than 10 complaints of police rape in Diyarbakir, Turkey since the arrival of the new police chief. “Kurds not only are not allowed to defend themselves they also cannot talk about the crimes committed against them by the fascist state's security forces.”

July 17th, 2009

Middle East & North Africa

Turkish Muse details her recent experience as an American trying to rent out an apartment in Izmir. “We were aghast. How could she ask for that much? That's ridiculous!, we thought. Then we were incensed. I immediately assumed she was asking for such a high amount — and in dollars, no less — because we were American. “

July 15th, 2009

Middle East & North Africa

Kurdish blogger Hevallo writes that “Kurdish political leadership Koma Civaken Kurdistan, (KCK) has announced that the ceasefire called by the Kurdish Freedom Movement to give the opportunity for solving the Kurdish Question in Turkey by political and peaceful means has been extended.” The original deadline was July 14th; it has now been extended to September 1st.