Do Members of Parliament Really know what they are swearing on?

"The existence and independence of the State, 

The indivisible integrity of the homeland and the nation, 

I will protect the unconditional and unconditional sovereignty of the nation; 

I will adhere to the rule of law, democratic and secular republic and Atatürk's principles and reforms; 

Peace and welfare of the society, 

In a spirit of national solidarity and justice 

The ideal of the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all and 

To remain loyal to the Constitution; 

I swear on my honor and dignity before the great Turkish nation."

Yes, this is the oath you have to take when you are elected as an MP.

Taking an oath is an important ritual. The oath is not so important nowadays, but you still swear on your honor.

You may ask whether there is any honor left nowadays. And you may be right.

Honor is Arabic for honor or reputation.

To swear an oath is Turkish. I have written before that our ancestors used to drip their blood into a cup when their word was their word, and then everyone would drink that blood together.

Those who broke their word would pay the price with their blood.

So taking an oath is not such a simple thing!

Oath is the Arabic word for "oath". According to the etymological dictionary, it actually means right hand, right side, and also south. Another meaning is the oath given by raising the right hand.

In other words, they are actually missing the oath ritual in parliament. According to the etymological dictionary, MPs should take the oath by raising their right hand.

What lofty words are in this oath text, right?

Even the first sentence is quite meaningful. 

"I swear on my honor and dignity to protect the existence and independence of the state!"

The rest is the same.

"I swear on my honor and dignity to protect the indivisible integrity of the homeland and the nation!"

"I swear on my honor and dignity to protect the unconditional and unconditional sovereignty of the nation!"

***

And the rest, don't you think the rest is much more meaningful?

"I swear on my honor and dignity to uphold the rule of law, the democratic and secular Republic and the principles and reforms of Atatürk!"

MPs even swear to uphold the rule of law!

They also swear to uphold the democratic and secular Republic!

They also swear on their honor and dignity to uphold the principles and reforms of Atatürk!

Wasn't the text of this oath the same until yesterday?

Yes, it was!

So why is the credibility of the law in shambles?

Why is it that even Republic holidays are not celebrated with the same enthusiasm as before? 

In terms of democracy, yes, elections are held, but why is it that afterwards everything that a single person says is done? 

Is the country still a democratic country or are we rapidly changing towards becoming an autocratic country?

Secularism is also mentioned in the text, surprisingly, do you think there is secularism left in the country? 

Come on, do it if you can, drink a glass of water in public during Ramadan and let me see you, you will understand what the people are doing to you, you will know whether we live in a secular republic or whether it is like selling snails in a Muslim neighborhood.

On the one hand, they say they are committed to Atatürk's principles and reforms, but on the other hand, have they left any principles in the country? Which principles do you think are being followed in the new Turkey?

***

Anyway, let's continue with the text.

"I swear on my honor and dignity to uphold the principle of the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all in the interest of the peace and prosperity of society, national solidarity and justice, and loyalty to the Constitution!"

Do you know that according to the 2021 report, Turkey ranked second in the number of applications to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)?

In 2021, 78 decisions were announced on 567 different applications filed against Turkey. In 76 of these decisions, there was at least one violation of the Convention on Human Rights.

In 2021, the ECtHR found 31 violations of freedom of expression, 29 violations of the right to liberty and security and 22 violations of the right to a fair trial.

According to the ECHR report for 2022, we came first. Yes, we said, why should we be second in this regard, we deserve to be first, and as of August 1, 2022, we have become the first in terms of applications.

In 73 of the judgments announced in Turkey's cases, at least one article of the European Convention on Human Rights was found to have been violated. Article 5 of the ECHR on the right to security and safety was violated 27 times, Article 1 of the Additional Protocol on the right to property was violated 20 times, and Article 6 on fair trial was violated 19 times.

***

What does "I swear on my honor and dignity that I will remain loyal to the Constitution" mean?

Are you sure that the Constitution is being adhered to? 

I'm talking to everyone, the opposition and the government, wasn't it only yesterday that Mr. Erdoğan was allowed to run for president for the third time? 

Wasn't it only yesterday that it was decided by the president's decision to bring forward the elections when a parliamentary decision was required?

Didn't we, as a society, elect him as president yesterday?

Who was the one who said I don't obey and I don't respect? I thought you swore an oath on your honor?

And then "I swear on my honor and honor before the great Turkish nation that I will abide by the Constitution!"? 

There is so much more to say, but since the subject is the text of the oath, I'll keep quiet. After all, I went and cast my vote in that ballot box, so I'm not absolving myself from the mistake.

***

And is everything written in this text?

What else do you think it is necessary to swear on to become a member of parliament?

Is there anything more valuable than one's honor and dignity?

Maybe there is!

But I think everything that should be there is written in the text. I think it would be enough if the MPs stick to what is written.

I hope that this time the MPs will have the courage to fulfill their promises.

I hope that this time they will become MPs with the awareness of what they have promised.

*** 

Again, the YouTube algorithm brought to the screen the parodies of Zeki Alasya and Metin Akpınar, who used to play parodies of MPs taking their oath in parliament.

I watched that old parody with a bit of bitterness. Today is not much different from those days. 

Wasn't it a matter of debate just yesterday whether the MPs of a party would take oath with this text or not?

Of course we will read it, the party spokesperson said. As if he was going to read a paragraph from a book! 

And they read it! Even if they don't agree with the content of the text, since they were able to enter parliament, everything is permissible with the logic of pretense. They read the text!

***

We call it an oath! In a sense, like our ancestors, we say that he who breaks his word pays with his blood.

But what am I talking about? 

In today's world, neither promises are like the old promises, nor honor, nor honor is worth what it used to be. It's all about money, or getting into the eyes of that one person. 

Of course, currying favor with that one person means money, so that one person.

If he falls from power tomorrow, he will be worthless too. He probably knows this best. 

Sometimes I am amazed at myself that I still have hope for the future of the country.

Love and respect to everyone from Moscow.