Justice Minister Tunç responds to TÜSİAD: 'Turkey is not the old Turkey'

The first reaction to the statements made at today's TÜSİAD General Assembly came from Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç. Speaking at the General Assembly, which featured harsh criticisms on many topics ranging from the detention and arrest of journalists to the dismissal of lieutenants from the army, TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan said, "There is no end to the news of corruption, fraud, and black marketeering. It seems that forming an organization for the purpose of committing crimes is now easier than starting a company."

Reacting to the statements via his social media account, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç said, "The Republic of Turkey is a state of law. No institution, organization, or interest group is above the national will."

Minister Tunç made the following statements:

Stating that "one of the cornerstones of our democratic system is the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary," Tunç said: "Just as we do not accept any pressure on judicial processes, everyone should know very well that we are against any attempt to influence the judiciary. While it is certainly a democratic right for non-governmental organizations to express their opinions, efforts to direct the judiciary and politics are contrary to the spirit of democracy and the principle of the rule of law. Democracy is not the common trust of only certain circles, but of the entire nation and the state."

"Turkey is not the old Turkey. Those who do not understand that the Turkey directed by privileged segments is now a thing of the past should know this: No person or organization can see themselves above the will of the nation and the law. Let no one have any doubt that we will respond to any attempt to interfere with the legal order in the strongest possible way within the framework of the law, just as we have done until today."

Another reaction came from AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik. Making statements via his social media account, Minister Çelik said, "In democracies, it is the most natural right of non-governmental organizations to make statements and evaluations regarding the country's agenda. However, the right to evaluate the country's agenda and attempts to shape politics and give instructions to the judiciary are separate matters. What makes the difference is commitment to democracy and respect for the law."

Çelik wrote the following:

"Their support for military tutelage and judicial tutelage in the past has not been erased from memories. Furthermore, their own past activities of openly targeting and calling for the removal of a legitimate government have found their place in headlines.

For these reasons, the TÜSİAD management should face why one of the first things that comes to mind for those fighting for democracy in this country when they hear 'crisis of confidence' is TÜSİAD's approaches. TÜSİAD should make an effort to leave its poor record on democracy behind. As the AK Party, we will not allow any attempt that sees itself above politics, just as we have not until today. We are more determined than ever to protect the democratic space of politics."