AKP steps back on 'influence agent' regulation: CHP's Murat Emir announces...

Republican People's Party (CHP) Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir announced that the influence agent regulation will be removed from the 9th Judicial Package. Emir said, "There was concern that 'coercive imprisonment,' one of the most important articles of Law No. 6284, would be abolished. A promise was made that this issue would not be included in the package."

Meeting with parliamentary reporters at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), Emir stated that they were given a promise on this matter during meetings with the AKP group, and expressed that the regulation regarding the abolition of coercive imprisonment, one of the most important pillars of Law No. 6284, would also not be included in the package.

'A PROMISE WAS MADE'

Emir also made a statement regarding the allegations that 'coercive imprisonment,' one of the most important articles of Law No. 6284 on the Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women, would be abolished. Emir said, "A promise was made that this issue would not be included in the package."

WHAT IS THE INFLUENCE AGENT REGULATION?

The influence agent regulation was presented in media outlets close to the government as follows:

Those who create space for black propaganda against Turkey will fall under the scope of 'influence agent.' Those who disrupt the country's economic, social, and public order will also be evaluated within this scope. Criminal sanctions will be introduced to ensure deterrence.

However, many people, including experts on the subject, stated that the real purpose was not to 'prevent espionage activities' but to 'censor criticism.'

'FREEDOM TO SEEK RIGHTS WILL BE CONSIDERED ESPIONAGE'

CHP Party Spokesperson and İzmir Deputy Deniz Yücel had said the following regarding the 'influence agent' article in the 9th judicial package:

If the influence agent regulation, which is expected to be included in the 9th Judicial Package, is enacted, all criticism directed at the AKP could be prosecuted under this law. For example, no one will be able to criticize trade with Israel anymore. No one will be able to take human rights violations to the European Court of Human Rights. Thus, the freedom to seek rights will be brought under the scope of espionage. They will become uncriticizable and untouchable. The enactment of the influence agent regulation means that the AKP is starting a brand new era of authoritarianism.

“A LAW TO HIDE THE TRUTH FROM THE PUBLIC”

Pointing out that this regulation in the 9th Judicial Package would be a measure that increases oppressive practices, CHP's Yücel stated that if the draft is enacted in this form, it would become impossible to make criticisms of the government on social media, adding, “It will even become impossible to mention the refugee influx in our country or talk about the population of illegal migrants and asylum seekers. Thus, the refugee influx towards our country could be hidden from the Turkish public. In fact, this law is precisely a law that 'can be resorted to when needed' for this very reason. Those who announce any kind of regulation or practice that the government does not want to be heard will be declared agents. Both the public's freedom to receive information will be restricted and freedom of expression will be usurped,” he said.