Karadağ's ‘judicial reform’ comment: I'm going to do very bad things to you, but let me say good things first ’ 

2019-06-07 12:30:22


	ANKARA - Judiciary Union Former President Mustafa Karadağ who states that he does not find the 'Judicial Reform Strategy Document' convincing and that Turkey is no longer believe in these words, said: "Political power must first learn to obey the decisions of the judiciary, then we'll talk".

	The discussion on the Judicial Reform Strategy Document presented by AKP President and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on May 30 continues. Judiciary Union Former President Mustafa Karadağ evaluated the reform statements that AKP have been familiar with through their rule.

	 

	Karadağ who stated that he smiled when he first heard about the document, said that the package is like 'Fairy tales for grown ups'. Karadağ said: "I don't see this document as a reform that will bring good things to Turkey, to the judiciary, that it would develop the democracy or make the judiciary independent."

	 

	IT IS NOT CONVINCING

	 

	Karadağ who pointed out the independence of the judiciary, said: "All the members of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) are appointed by the Presidency. Now it is not convincing for us to get up and say something like ‘the judiciary will be independent, the judges will be securitized' while this constitution is made during the period of this government. They should not be telling about this non-binding constitution as a judicial reform. This is something like saying 'I will do bad things to you but let me say good things first. It doesn't worth anything."

	 

	Karadağ said: “Unfortunately, the courts no longer can be thought differently from political power. They say they will strengthen the law and the defense. You are the ones who say people can be prosecuted without the presence of an attorney, you are the ones who say the court can convict without writing justification, you are the ones that say people can be prosecuted in their absence and before they can make a defense. Now you say 'We will do good things.' The people of Turkey doesn't buy it anymore."

	 

	Karadağ who mentioned the line 'zero tolerance to torture' in the reform package, recalled what happened in Halfeti and Ankara. Karadağ said: "When all that reflected to the press in the last 15 days are considered, I laughed when they announced the strategy document. Torture is being objectified in Ankara while they are announcing this package. Let alonoe the torture, the way they took people under custody in Halfeti was inhumane and against the human dignity.  They knew that they would apply judicial control and he condoned people being handcuffed from their backs anyway. Then they tell us 'respect for human rights', 'zero tolerance to torture', 'punishment complying with the human dignity'. This is exactly like sayin: 'I will do very bad things to you but let me say a few good things first. This is an expired statement."