Inspector crisis between Minister of Justice and HSK members: Yılmaz Tunç has not signed the decree

At a meeting held on June 5 at the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK), tensions flared between Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç and HSK members over the appointment of inspectors.

According to a report by Alican Uludağ from DW Türkçe, council members opposed the names on the list provided by the Ministry and excluded them from the decree, which drew a reaction from Minister Yılmaz Tunç.

It is stated that prior to the meeting, HSK members had determined the names of approximately 40 inspectors to be recruited to the council and sent them to Minister Tunç for his signature.

THE MOST TENSE MEETING OF THE RECENT PERIOD

On June 5, 2024, the HSK held one of the most tense meetings of the recent period due to these names.

It was reported that Tunç reacted sharply to the exclusion of names coming from the Ministry of Justice from the decree and also criticized some of the names the members had included in the decree.

It was stated that Tunç described the decree prepared by the council as "null and void."

It was reported that some council members did not remain silent in the face of these criticisms, responded to Minister of Justice Tunç, and that tensions escalated during the meeting.

It was described that the relationship between Minister Tunç and the Council reached a breaking point during the discussion at the meeting. It is stated that Tunç has still not signed the appointment decree.

CLAIMS THAT TUNÇ'S PREFERRED NAMES WERE INCLUDED, BUT HIS DEPUTY'S WERE VETOED

On the other hand, while it is stated that some names requested by Tunç were included as inspectors in the decree, it was expressed that the actual crisis stemmed from the names sent by Deputy Minister Ramazan Can.

It was reported that the HSK did not include the names on the list provided by Deputy Minister Can in the decree.

MINISTER TUNÇ HAS STILL NOT SIGNED

It was stated that although the final form of the decree was determined at the meeting, the recruitment of inspectors to the HSK has not taken place because Minister Tunç has still not signed it. Ministry sources, however, reported that no such tension occurred during the council meeting and that it is natural for there to be different opinions in the council from time to time.

WHY ARE INSPECTORS IMPORTANT?

Inspectors working under the HSK Inspection Board conduct investigations and inquiries into judges and prosecutors in accordance with the decisions taken by the council. In addition, inspectors periodically audit judges and prosecutors and prepare reports about them for the council. To be appointed as an inspector, one must have served successfully in the judiciary for at least five years.

The Minister of Justice, in his capacity as the President of the HSK, has the authority to attend and vote in HSK General Assembly meetings. The Inspection Board, where the inspectors serve, also operates under the "supervision" of the HSK President according to the law.