Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation realized a meeting at the French Senate with title: “LAICISM: 68 Years in Turkey – 100 Years in France”.
The French senators, scientists from French Academy, NGO leaders and businessmen attended the meeting. Mr. Michèle Andrè – Vice Chairman of the French Senate, chaired the meeting and Turkey represented by: Dr. Akkan Suver, Yaþar Yakýþ, Mehmet Dülger, Gülsün Bilgehan Toker, Prof. Dr. Gül Turan, Prof. Dr. Ioanna Kucuradi and Dr. Aslýhan Öztezel.
During the meting the importance of laicism for Turkey and France underlined by the speakers and other attendees from different perspectives.
French Senator Jean-Pierre Sueur mentioned that; “We must give close attention to the protection of public areas. Prohibition of head scarf in schools, prevents the behaviors of other parents for their kids about head scarf”.
Former French Minister Ms. Yvette Roudy reacted very harshly to the interpretation of laicism according to the new needs of time. She said that: “We must deal with laicism as a whole”
Young academician and human rights jurist Dr. Aslýhan Öztezel gave “Leyla Þahin Case” in Strasbourg as a concrete example. She underlined that the decision of “Leyla Þahin Case” supports the structure of the Turkish Republic, which stands on the “secular, social state of law”.
Turkish parliamentarian Gülsün Bilgehan Toker said that; “To force women to cover themselves is violation of human rights. The health of people who hide their faces from sun is always subject to discussion”
Prof. Dr. Gül Turan, Turkish academician gave examples from her own family. She said that her family has Shiite, Sunni and Bektashi members and as a result of 68 years of secular experiences in our life made women new actors of our social life.
French Senator Josette Durrieu expressed the importance of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his principle of laicism for women in Turkey, Europe and the world.
An exiled Sudanese living in France said that: “Laicism is not a vital value only for Europe but for the world as well.”
Meeting was followed by wide range of attendees.