Volume 42 | Number 1 Fall 2006
Summary
- Introduction
- Secularism Generally and the Turkish Version
- Definition and Characteristics of Secularism
- The Turkish Version of Secularism
- The Unique Context of the Republic of Turkey
- The Role of Religion in the Ottoman Empire
- The Change from a Theocratic Regime to a Secular Government
- The Formation of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Adoption of the First Constitution
- The Initial Wave of Reform Laws
- The Clothing Reforms
- Reforms Continued
- Women’s Rights
- The Final Reform: A Secular Republic
- Secularism and the Turkish Constitution
- The 1961 Constitution
- The Current Constitution
- The Safeguards of Secularism in the Turkish Constitution
- Secularism and Political Parties
- Freedom of Religion in the Turkish Constitution
- Anti-Secularist Provisions in the Turkish Constitution?
- Department of Religious Affairs
- Mandatory Religious Education
- Overview of the Islamic Headscarf Ban in Turkey
- The Early Legal History of the Islamic Headscarf Debate and the First Legislation Lifting the Islamic Headscarf Ban
- The Second Legislation Lifting the Islamic Headscarf Ban
- Headscarf Goes to Europe: Leyla Sahin v. Turkey
- Background
- Analysis Under Article 9 of the Convention
- Interference
- “Prescribed by Law”
- “Legitimate Aim”
- “Necessary in a Democratic Society”
- Analysis Under Article 2 of Protocol No. 1 of the Convention
- The Dissent’s and Ms. Sahin’s Arguments
- Turkish Government’s Response to the Decision
- Background on the Justice and Development Party
- Are Fundamental Changes in the Secular Regime Possible?
- Are Minor Changes in the Secular Regime Possible?
- Implications of a Turkish Membership in the European Union
Footnotes
For complete footnote citations, download the PDF.