Justice Minister Tunç: The indispensable condition of justice is an impartial and independent judiciary

Minister Tunç met with representatives of media organizations for iftar at the Ankara Judges' House.

In his speech there, Tunç pointed out that Ramadan is a month of brotherhood and unity, and wished for this month to be a means for the nation's unity and the country's harmony.

Drawing attention to the fact that terrorism has been a major obstacle before Türkiye for 40 years, Tunç noted the following:

"In this sense, I hope the ongoing efforts will reach success. The call that emerged after the meeting between the İmralı delegation and the DEM delegation is aimed at the dissolution of the terrorist organization and the laying down of arms. The realization and implementation of this will be a very important stage for our country. In this process where we have begun the Century of Türkiye, our country will continue on its path by ridding itself of terrorism, further strengthening our unity and solidarity, and building the Century of Türkiye and a terror-free Türkiye together."

Stating that everyone has responsibilities in the goal of a terror-free Türkiye, Tunç assessed, "Together, with joint effort, we will rid our country of terrorism. By ending the scourge of terrorism that has troubled our country for 40 years, we will ensure that our children and youth look to the future with peace of mind."

"THERE IS NO JOURNALIST IMPRISONED DUE TO JOURNALISTIC ACTIVITIES"

Justice Minister Tunç emphasized that the indispensable condition of justice is an impartial and independent judiciary, and said that the relationship between justice and the press is also important.

In his speech, touching upon freedom of expression, Tunç said, "Our country has also made significant progress regarding press freedom over the last 23 years."

Mentioning the legislative changes made regarding press freedom, Tunç noted that disinformation has also increased with the influence of social media, and that this is a situation that also threatens press freedom.

Regarding criticisms about press freedom, Minister Tunç stated, "Let us state this clearly; there is no journalist in Türkiye who is imprisoned due to journalistic activities. They may be a journalist by profession, but there may be a judicial investigation due to a different crime. Of course, none of us would want a journalist to be subjected to a criminal investigation."

"IT IS THE TURKISH PRESS THAT EXPOSED THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA TO THE WORLD"

Criticizing Türkiye being shown in lower ranks in press freedom indices, Tunç said, "Showing Türkiye in the lower ranks in press freedom indices, and even showing it behind Israel, is, first of all, unfair to the Turkish press. Israel is a country that has massacred more than 200 journalists in the last year. How can it be shown ahead of Türkiye in press freedom? Is this possible?"

Regarding Türkiye being shown in 117th place in the "rule of law index," Tunç said, "It is not possible for us to accept an index that is not based on objective criteria, prepared at a desk, and created by taking the opinions of certain segments. This is also an injustice to the Turkish judiciary. The judiciary is more impartial and independent than ever, the press is free, and the space for freedom of thought and expression is wide open."

Minister Tunç stated that the Turkish press exposed the genocide in Gaza to the world, saying, "It is the Turkish press that exposed the genocide in Gaza, the human rights massacre, and the baby killers there to the world, with its TRT, Anadolu Agency, and private broadcasting organizations..."

Expressing that the Turkish press also passed a successful test during the July 15 coup attempt, Tunç assessed, "We can proudly speak of both in terms of the point the Turkish judiciary has reached and the point the Turkish press has reached. Therefore, the relationship between justice and the media is very important."

TWO JUDICIAL PACKAGES ARE READY

Justice Minister Tunç recalled that the Judicial Reform Strategy Document was recently shared with the public, and stated that the document contains goals covering the next 5 years.

Stating that the document includes very important goals in terms of accelerating the judiciary and ensuring that citizens can attain their rights without delay, Tunç indicated that two judicial packages prepared within this scope are ready.

Informing that the prepared packages will be brought to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) in a short time, Tunç continued as follows:

"We will fulfill these goals quickly in accordance with a calendar. First of all, there are measures we will take to increase the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. We have also prepared the first judicial package on this subject. In the coming days, we will submit it to the appreciation of our deputies. There are measures we will take regarding increasing effectiveness in civil litigation, accelerating it, and saving our citizens from long-lasting trials and hearings. That is also a package related to law, and it is also ready. I hope that in the coming days, before the Parliament enters the summer recess, these two packages will have passed through the Parliament in detail. Of course, these will happen with the appreciation of our deputies.

There are many goals, especially regarding facilitating access to justice, the effectiveness of civil litigation, and strengthening human and institutional capacity. We will submit these goals to the appreciation of our Parliament in the process, starting with the urgent ones that require legislation. Our entire goal is to raise our citizens' trust in the judiciary to the highest point and to continue on our path by further consolidating the principle of the rule of law."

'NEW CONSTITUTION' GOAL

Justice Minister Tunç emphasized that one of Türkiye's most important goals is a new, democratic, civilian, and participatory constitution.

Pointing out that they have reached these days with a coup constitution, Tunç said that very important reforms have been implemented to eliminate the tutelary spirit in the Constitution, but that this has disrupted the uniformity in the Constitution.

Minister Yılmaz Tunç noted the following:

"At this point, we need to start the Century of Türkiye with a new constitution, written from scratch, by civilians, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, and the representatives of the nation. I hope a consensus is reached on this issue in the Parliament. There is an effort that our Parliament Speaker has initiated on this matter. That effort is the work on the 'Terror-free Türkiye' goal. I hope that as our country begins the Century of Türkiye, it will rid itself of all its shackles and continue on its path with firm steps toward the prosperity of our nation and the development of our country on the path of a democratic state of law."