Too Many Obstacles for Youth Associations

The "Monitoring Report for the Field of the Turkish Youth" prepared by the Bilgi University Youth Studies Unit revealed a number of obstacles to form youth organizations.

According to the report, there are a total of 614 youth organizations in Turkey. This amounts to a mere 0.7 percent of the number of all associations in the country. This means 20,000 members per association. The report evaluates the low numbers as follows:

"A basic reason for this unfavourable situation are the problems experienced related to associations, which are reflected in the field of the youth. Another reason is the implementation of article 14 of the Associations Law which regulates that associations first of all shall be opened as youth clubs".

Upon approval of the Ministry of the Interior

According to the Associations Law, associations related to sports shall be called 'sports club' and associations related to leisure shall be named 'youth club'.

The club's function and authorities, grants, disciplinary procedures, membership record and registrations must be approved by the Ministry of the Interior. Thereupon, the auditing by the Youth and Sports General Directory (GSGM) follows. The report criticizes this situation and proposes a solution:

"The procedure of registering youth clubs as defined in article 14 of the Associations Law should be lifted. The articles related to the administration by the GSMG should be amended in a way that they becomes more transparent and that the GSMG will no longer interfere in the associations' internal processes"

Prohibitions related to LGBTT and human rights

At universities, organizations can be set up as "clubs" or "societies". The report voices criticism on this regulation:

"If activities at universities are not carried out as a society within a legal entity, it will be almost impossible to post banners and organize meetings and other activities. Some universities levy fees for installing an information desk at the Spring Festival or charge membership fees. External donations do not go into the cash box of the society but of the university. Without a regular income the students' possibilities for organized activities are limited".

The report furthermore discloses the following obstacles for organizations at universities:

* The establishment of societies related to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites and transsexuals (LGTBB) and human rights is being declined.

* Upon a change of the university's administration, some societies are required to be dissolved and re-founded.

* There are no naturally grown relations between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and university clubs. Again, the students' possibilities for organized activities are limited due to the lack of a regular income.

* At some universities, societies can only be established on the basis of the faculty. Only students of that faculty can become members of the society, activities can only be carried out at the referring faculty.

* Many universities implemented an academic advisor. Every society has got one advisor; activities cannot be organized without the approval of the advisor. The Youth Report postulates, "The implementation of an academic advisor is one of the control mechanisms by the university administration over the students. This should be lifted completely". (SP/VK)