Ignore the doom mongers and naysayers – improve international relations by bringing Turkey in from the cold.

Ever since 1987, the European Union have been dangling the carrot of EU membership in front of Turkey while simultaneously keeping it far out of reach. In truth, EU membership is the only device by which Turkey can be forced to improve its human rights record. But the integration of Turkey would not simply follow a humanitarian moral argument. Giving a seat at the table to a country with 90% of its population registered as Muslim would be a game changer in international diplomacy. No longer would the moderate Muslim world consider itself excluded from international policy developments.

However, the biggest obstacle to EU membership for Turkey is the same thing that stops the much-needed reform of many policies like the Common Agricultural Policy. Namely, the axis of power held in France and Germany. Delay after delay is created to ensure accession remains essentially a pipe dream. Although the Turkish government attempt to put on a brave face, the populace can see what is happening and public opinion on joining the EU has dive-bombed from 73% in 2004 to just 38% in 2010. Instead, support for closer ties to Muslim countries is increasing, which could lead to more repressive laws and reduced freedom for women.

Just last week the government in Turkey replaced its Ministry for Women and Family with the new Ministry of Family and Social Policies. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan chose to announce the change on June 8th, a mere four days before the general election, raising suspicions that it was timed to attract support from hardliners with more traditional views on women. Initial hopes that this was simply an aesthetic name change have proven to be unfounded.

A study by the Hacettepe University revealed that a shocking 42% of Turkish women experience physical or sexual violence inflicted by a relative at some point in their life. Considering this, it seems scandalous that the government would chose to remove the focus on women’s rights that the Ministry for Women and Family provided. The new ministry will deal with issues of concern to a variety of groups including the aged, the disabled and families of soldiers in addition to women and children. This split in focus cannot possibly be beneficial for Turkey’s female population.

While the government must be applauded for passing reforms designed to protect women, they are rarely enforced and often the institutionalised sexism prevalent in Turkish society means police and prosecutors ignore the claims of abused women. Anecdotal evidence suggests women who seek help from police are often sent home without receiving any support or assistance, creating a vicious cycle of violence.

By creating a timeline for accession to the EU and linking it to real, enforced improvements in human rights Turkey can achieve a fair and equal society. The alternative is to allow it to move closer to other, more radical Muslim nations who are unlikely to offer any support for the humanitarian reforms which are needed.

As expected, the general election on June 12th was a landslide. The Justice and Development party (AKP) won 49.9% of all votes, giving it a strong majority of 325 MPs out of 550. Turkey suffered from massive mismanagement under previous governments, but the AKP have had a relatively successful two terms leading to strong public support. They must not kowtow to the elements of society who would prefer women to be stripped of their recently acquired rights.

To get an impression of public opinion, I asked my Turkish Friend, Ebru, what the general feeling is in Turkey at the moment. Her response indicated strong disillusion with the European Union. They believe their country is more than qualified to be a member, but is refused entry due to the fact it is a Muslim nation. In addition, their economy is strong and their export industry is booming, so for the last five years support for accession to the EU has been dropping dramatically. Considering the perilous financial situation of nearly all of the Member States, adding a strong economy with booming industry could be a huge boost for the union.

The EU has a variety of problems which it thinks it can solve by increasing its powers. Instead, it should focus on reducing tension between the West and the East by concentrating on delivering accession to Turkey as soon as possible.

If and when the EU chooses to invite Turkey to become a member, they may not get the response they expect. That would be a hammer blow for both human rights and women’s rights in Turkey.