Turkish writer and journalist Ece Temelkuran, who has lived in exile since 2016, is urging European nations to learn from Turkey's experience to prevent a similar slide towards authoritarianism. Temelkuran, a former senior reporter for CNN Türk and a political columnist critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government, has become a vocal advocate for democracy and human rights since her forced departure from her home country.
Her warnings stem from years of operating in an increasingly hostile environment in Turkey, where she faced death threats, rape threats, and constant surveillance. The situation escalated to the point where her published works were used as evidence in arrests, and calls for her own detention began to circulate. A stark moment came when she found the iron bars on her windows removed and a window left open, which she interpreted as a clear message of intimidation. On 6 November 2016, from Zagreb, Croatia, she made the difficult call to her mother, informing her she would not be returning to Turkey.
Temelkuran's latest book, 'Nation of Strangers', shortlisted for the 2026 Women's Prize for Nonfiction, delves into the profound significance of the concept of 'home' in contemporary politics. She posits that the emotional weight attached to the idea of home is one of the most dominant political forces shaping the world today. This perspective is informed by her own experience of becoming 'homeless' in a metaphorical sense, despite having a physical residence in Berlin, highlighting the deeper emotional and political implications of displacement.
Through her writings, including 'How To Lose a Country: The Seven Steps from Democracy to Fascism' (2019) and 'Together: A Manifesto Against a Heartless World' (2021), Temelkuran has consistently articulated her concerns about the fragility of democratic institutions. She writes in English to reach a broader international audience, using her unique blend of journalistic insight, poetic sensibility, and philosophical reflection to convey complex political messages with clarity. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of political upheaval and the importance of safeguarding democratic values.
Despite the personal hardship and the 'cringe' she feels in recounting her story, Temelkuran is resolute in her mission to speak out. She actively challenges the 'whining exile' stereotype, aiming to communicate the realities of displacement without sounding like a victim. Her objective is to prompt a deeper understanding of how societies can unravel and to encourage vigilance against the subtle erosion of freedoms that can lead to more extreme political climates.
Source: The Guardian