10th Judicial Package passes in Parliament: Statement from Minister Tunç

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç made statements regarding the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the Execution of Penal and Security Measures and Certain Other Laws, known publicly as the 10th Judicial Package, which was approved today by the TBMM Justice Commission.

In his assessment shared on his social media account, Tunç stated that the proposal, which envisions changes to 10 different laws, consists of 30 articles.

Noting that a new era in probation has begun with the 10th Judicial Package, Tunç said, "With the new regulation, the perception of impunity that is being attempted to be created in our society will be eliminated. Convicts, even if their sentence is under 2 years, will be able to be released on probation after spending at least 1/10 of their time until the conditional release date in a penal institution. Thus, the deterrent effect of the sentence will be strengthened, and the execution of the sentence will be carried out in accordance with its purpose."

'CONVICTS WHO HAVE GIVEN BIRTH WILL BE ABLE TO SERVE THEIR SENTENCES AT HOME'

Tunç emphasized that the judicial package accepted by the commission will ensure an effective fight against crime and that important steps will be taken for the rehabilitation of offenders.

Stating that convicts for whom recidivism provisions are applied for the second time will be allowed conditional release in order to help them adapt to the outside world, prevent them from re-offending through rehabilitation, and reintegrate them into society, Tunç noted that those subject to recidivism provisions for the second time will be able to benefit from conditional release if they serve 3/4 of their fixed-term prison sentence with good behavior.

Pointing out that the scope of special execution procedures will be expanded with the 10th Judicial Package, Tunç noted the following:

"The scope of the weekend or nighttime execution procedure will be increased from 1 year and 6 months to 3 years for intentional crimes, and from 3 years to 5 years for negligent crimes, excluding negligent homicide. The scope of the home confinement execution procedure will be increased from 1 year to 3 years for women, children, or persons who have completed the age of 65; from 2 years to 4 years for persons who have completed the age of 70; and from 4 years to 5 years for persons who have completed the age of 75. For persons who have completed the age of 80, it will be possible to decide on the execution of prison sentences of up to 6 years at home."

Stating that, excluding those sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, it may be decided that those sentenced to prison who are determined to be unable to sustain their lives alone in penal institution conditions due to a serious illness or disability, and who are assessed not to pose a serious and concrete danger to public safety, may serve their sentences at home, Tunç also stated that female convicts who have given birth and received prison sentences of 5 years or less, instead of 3 years, will be allowed to serve their sentences at home.

Minister Tunç stated that a change will be made in the penal execution system for child convicts with the 10th Judicial Package, noting that sentences given to child convicts sentenced to a total of 3 years or less for intentional crimes and a total of 5 years or less for negligent crimes will be served directly in juvenile education houses.

'PENALTIES FOR THOSE ENDANGERING TRAFFIC SAFETY WILL BE INCREASED'

Underlining that there will be no tolerance for lawlessness regarding safety in traffic, Tunç noted the following:

"With the regulations to be made in the 10th Judicial Package, we will fight more effectively against actions that disrupt traffic order. Blocking roads in traffic will be regulated as a separate crime. A person who prevents a land transport vehicle from moving through an unlawful act, stops this vehicle while it is in motion, or takes it from the place it is going to another place will be punished with imprisonment from 1 year to 3 years.

Penalties for those endangering traffic safety will be increased. In this context, the lower limit of the prison sentence to be given to those who operate land, sea, air, or railway transport vehicles in a way that may be dangerous in terms of people's lives, health, or property will be increased, and the penalty will be set as imprisonment from 4 months to 2 years."

Minister Tunç emphasized that they will continue their fight with determination against those who turn joyful days, especially weddings, into sorrow.

Stating that within the scope of the regulation to be made with the 10th Judicial Package, weapons capable of firing sound and gas cartridges, "known as blank-firing guns," will also be included in the scope of the crime of intentionally endangering general safety, Tunç noted that those who fire guns or use explosives, including those who fire sound and gas cartridges in residential areas, could receive prison sentences of 1 to 5 years, and if this crime is committed in places where people are gathered collectively, such as weddings, engagements, and military send-offs, the penalty to be given will be increased by half to one fold.

'PRISON SENTENCES FOR INTENTIONAL INJURY CRIMES WILL BE INCREASED BY 50 PERCENT'

Noting that there will be an increase in prison sentence durations for intentional injury crimes committed against bodily integrity with the regulation to be made within the scope of the 10th Judicial Package, Tunç said, "Prison sentences for intentional injury crimes will be increased by 50 percent. An effective fight against the crime of threat will be ensured. In cases of attempted crime, the lower and upper limits of the fixed-term prison sentence to be given instead of aggravated life imprisonment and life imprisonment will be increased."

Minister Tunç stated that regulations have been made in the Law on the Regulation of Publications Made on the Internet and Fighting Against Crimes Committed Through These Publications regarding the regulations for blocking access or removing content within the scope of the 10th Judicial Package.

Stating that individuals are provided with the opportunity to prevent attacks on their honor and reputation in the internet environment, Tunç emphasized that the purpose of all regulations to be made on digital platforms is to protect personal rights more effectively.

Tunç stated that disciplinary provisions in the Notary Law have been reorganized in line with the 10th Judicial Package, and in this context, disciplinary sanctions will be defined clearly and explicitly within the framework of the principles of legal certainty and predictability.

News Source: 12punto