Can Atalay reiterates constitutional call to Parliament Speaker: Comply with the Constitution
Imprisoned MP Can Atalay reminded the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) of his constitutional obligations, stating that he remains in prison despite Constitutional Court rulings.
12punto
On the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Hatay MP Can Atalay made a striking statement from prison.
Stating that he remains in prison despite the Constitutional Court's rulings on rights violations, Atalay addressed Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, demanding that constitutional requirements be fulfilled.
In his statement, Atalay expressed that the Constitution and Constitutional Court (AYM) rulings are being ignored and that the Parliament is being made a party to this situation, effectively suspending the Constitution.
Noting that it has been registered through three separate AYM rulings that his parliamentary membership has not been revoked, Atalay said, "It has been repeatedly demonstrated by the AYM that I am being held in prison with decisions that have no basis in the legal world."
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARLIAMENT
Recalling previous statements by Parliament Speaker Kurtulmuş, such as "The Parliament's stance is clear; Can Atalay has been registered in the records and elected to committees," Atalay demanded that the requirements of these words be fulfilled. Emphasizing that the Parliament's responsibility is clear and direct, Atalay stated, "The issue today is not the release of Can Atalay, but the Parliament fulfilling its duty to complete the registration."
CENSORSHIP ALLEGATIONS
In his statement, Atalay also touched upon allegations of censorship and falsification regarding parliamentary records, noting that AYM rulings were hidden from the General Assembly and that notes of "null and void" were added to parliamentary records. Expressing that CHP member Gülizar Biçer Karaca "showed will against the disregard for the Constitution" by ensuring the AYM ruling was read in the General Assembly, Atalay thanked her on behalf of the people of Hatay.
Finally, making an open call to Parliament Speaker Kurtulmuş, Atalay used the following expressions: "The Constitutional Court ruling has been read and entered into the records. As part of your duty to defend the rights of the Parliament, you must register me in the TBMM records. Do not avoid this duty."