Diritto Pubblico Comparato ed Europeo

Sommario

1. Introduzione: il quadro di riferimento costituzionale. – 2. La giurisprudenza della Corte dei diritti di Strasburgo: i casi Karaduman e Şahin sul velo islamico. – 3. (Segue): il caso del Refah Partisi sullo scioglimento di un partito “islamico”. – 4. Conclusioni.

Abstract

The article has the aim of exploring the principle of secularism in the Turkish Republic and begins with an analysis of the Constitution. The Constitution of 1982, amended in 2001, shows the choice made by the Turkish framers which fully respects the Ataturk doctrine i.e. a clear separation between public space and religious spheres. The legislative provisions concerning dducation and political parties have the same inspiration. In fact they prohibit the use of the Muslim scarf in universities and the existence of Islamic-based political parties. The article continues with an examination of the case law of the Turkish Constitutional Court which demonstrates that the latter is the real guardian of the secular principles of the Turkish Constitution. The article ends with a reflection on the need to find a balance between the freedom of religion and the principle of secularity of the Turkish State.