Parliamentary session on 'framework law': Motion to proceed to articles passed with 269 votes, debate erupts over names of martyrs

Deliberations continue in the TBMM General Assembly on the Bill on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, known in the public eye as the "framework law."

Through an open vote held in the General Assembly, it was decided to proceed to the discussion of the bill's articles. While 297 deputies participated in the vote, 269 deputies voted in favor and 28 deputies voted against.

Following the vote, TBMM Deputy Speaker Celal Adan stated that the motion to proceed to the articles of the bill had been accepted and announced that the first section covers articles 1 through 6.

He wanted to read the names of the martyrs, session was suspended

During the discussions on the bill, a statement by IYI Party Bursa Deputy Yüksel Selçuk Türkoğlu raised tensions in the General Assembly.

Türkoğlu stated during his speech that he would read the names of 7,500 martyrs. Upon Türkoğlu beginning to read the names, TBMM Deputy Speaker Celal Adan intervened.

Adan used the expressions, "You are occupying that space. The martyrs are ours. What is he doing right now?" directed at Türkoğlu.

As Türkoğlu continued to read the names of the martyrs, Adan suspended the General Assembly session for 5 minutes.

During this time, IYI Party Group deputies came to Türkoğlu's side to accompany him. IYI Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu also went to the podium, embraced Türkoğlu, and then escorted the deputy from the podium to the IYI Party benches.

Following the recess, the IYI Party Group left the General Assembly hall.

Özel: The issue is not just a matter of terrorism

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel also explained his party's approach to the bill in the General Assembly.

Stating that the Kurdish issue cannot be evaluated solely as a matter of terrorism, Özel said that the subject is a matter of equal citizenship, law, and living in security.

Expressing that the problem is an issue for 86 million citizens, Özel argued that a democratic solution cannot be achieved through fear, but rather through a sense of belonging and trust toward the republic and the state.

Stating that they have been proposing the establishment of a commission for years, Özel alleged that the political power is conducting the process through bilateral meetings instead of social negotiation.

"We will pave the way for peace"

Özel explained his party's stance on the bill with the words, "The CHP, which has the right to say no to this law, will not place itself in front of peace. We will pave the way for peace."

Drawing attention to the signature they placed on the commission report, Özel said, "We consider our signature a matter of honor." Stating that the 7th section is also included in the bill, Özel said they would be followers of the signature placed by the ruling party deputies.

Bakırhan: "This process will bring prosperity to Turkey"

DEM Party Co-Chairman Tuncer Bakırhan also expressed his party's views in the General Assembly.

Arguing that the bill is not a matter of concession or "winning-losing," Bakırhan addressed the citizens of Turkey.

"Nothing is being taken away from you in this process. This process will bring prosperity to Turkey," said Bakırhan, stating that the integrity of the country is not being opened for debate.

Stating that the element bringing Turkey closer to division is conflict, Bakırhan used the expressions, "If the Kurds wanted to separate, we would not be here. The homeland is common."

Emphasis on a "Terror-free Turkey" from the MHP

MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız explained his party's views in the General Assembly.

Thanking President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, and the commission members, Yıldız said, "We are about to send terrorism to the dark trash heap of history."

Stating that the vision of a "Terror-free Turkey" should not be evaluated solely as a security policy, Yıldız said that this approach is a state policy encompassing the survival of the state, the strengthening of the internal front, the rule of law, democratic participation, social solidarity, and economic development.

Deliberations on the articles of the bill continue in the TBMM General Assembly.