German Institutes in Turkey Complain of Harassment

Amid continuing political upheaval in Turkey, the regional offices of a number of German institutes have complained of harassment by the authorities. The Friedrich Ebert-, Konrad Adenauer- and Heinrich Böll Institutes -- all of which are affiliated with German political parties -- say they have been subject to intimidation and investigation.

Institutes accused of subversion

The Konrad Adenauer Institute in Ankara claims Turkish authorities have accused its officers of spying and of collaborating with the political opposition. Preliminary proceedings have even been instigated against the institute’s head, Wolf Schönbohm, by Turkey's chief prosecutor. The Institute is affiliated with the conservative Christian Democratic Party and has published accounts of Christians being persecuted in Turkey.

In Istanbul, a delegation representing the Turkish Interior Ministry, the Finance Ministry and the Office of the President recently investigated another German institute. The four-member delegation spent several weeks investigating claims that the Heinrich Böll Institute, which has ties to Alliance '90/The Greens, had acted against the national interest and had collaborated with opponents of the Turkish regime.

"Unfounded accusations"

According to the Heinrich Böll Institute’s Web site, the organisation's namesake believed "meddling is the only way to stay relevant". But the institute insists that its work is always above board. Middle East and North Africa analyst Bernd Asbach denies that the organisation has acted improperly. Asbach has called on the Turkish regime to demonstrate its commitment to the "good, worthwhile and legal work" of the German institutes in Turkey.

Top-level concern

The reports of harassment have raised concerns in Germany that relations with Turkey could be threatened. The German Foreign Ministry says the actions of the Turkish authorities are calculated to damage the sensitive bilateral relationship. It has demanded that investigations into the activities of the institutes cease.

Threats linked to political instability

Wolf Schönbohm of the Konrad Adenauer Institute blames the current political crisis in Turkey for the unwanted scrutiny. He says instability has led to criticism and mistrust of foreign organisations in the country. Schönbohm believes Turkish nationalists opposed to political reform and cooperation with Europe are closely linked to the recent threats to his institute. He says the German institutes in Turkey regularly hold public discussion forums about the case for Turkish entry into the European Union.