TİP Chair Baş calls for extraordinary parliamentary session for Can Atalay

The 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation has ruled that the second rights violation decision regarding imprisoned TİP Hatay MP Can Atalay has no legal value and should not be complied with.

TİP Chair Erkan Baş shared a video on his social media account this evening regarding the Court of Cassation's decision, with the note: "I am calling out to all our citizens, legal professionals, and representatives of opposition parties: Let us resist this coup."

In the video, Baş stated the following:

"Today, despite the Constitutional Court issuing a violation ruling twice in a row, the release of our Hatay MP Can Atalay has been blocked once again by the Court of Cassation. This is a coup. A group of individuals wearing judges' robes and masks of justice are engaging in an open and persistent act of rebellion against the will of the people and the clear provisions of the Constitution by making so-called decisions that have nothing to do with law, legislation, or the Constitution.

This continuous act is an attempted coup against the constitutional order, the justice system, and the parliament. We no longer feel the need to interpret this from a legal perspective, remind people of the Constitution, or point out mandatory legal provisions.

Today, a group of masked criminal judges is attempting a coup against the Republic of Turkey, its Constitution, and its parliament.

"TAYYİP ERDOĞAN MUST ALSO COMPLY"

We have never held back our words until today, and we will not hold back from now on. We voted 'No' to this 1982 Constitution from the very first day, and during the changes made by the AKP to build a palace regime. We are the political party that says it wants to change this constitution.

Of course, while it is a fundamental right for citizens or political parties to criticize the constitution, the failure of constitutional institutions—especially public institutions and organizations, starting with the judiciary and law enforcement—to comply with the constitution can only be called a coup.

Just as we are obliged to comply with the constitution even if we do not like it, Tayyip Erdoğan is also obliged to comply. Just as the person on the street is obliged to comply, the members of the Court of Cassation are also obliged to comply.

We will file a criminal complaint against the members of the Court of Cassation who signed this decision for 'attempting a coup against the Constitution.' We are filing a criminal complaint against the ruling AKP party, which encourages, directs, and incites those who signed this, and its supporter MHP executives, for 'attempting to forcibly change the constitutional order.'

"THIS ISSUE MUST BE DISCUSSED"

Today, a lock has been placed on the door of the Constitutional Court. The members of the Constitutional Court, as well as all legal institutions and every single legal professional, must take a clear stance against this. Furthermore, we invite all opposition parties in Parliament and—if there are any left—MPs in the ruling parties who still possess a conscience and respect for the law to take responsibility.

As of tomorrow, we will knock on the doors of all opposition political parties and request support to call Parliament into an emergency session.

I am making a call here to the Speaker of the TBMM: We remind you of the authority and responsibility granted to you by the internal regulations. You must call the TBMM to a session immediately, and this issue must be discussed. I am calling on all opposition parties: The number of TİP MPs is not sufficient for an extraordinary session, but if we demand it together, we can do it.

If Parliament will not convene against an attempt to usurp its will, when will it convene? If Parliament will not protect the will of the people against those who dictate to it by calling for non-compliance with the constitution, when will it convene?

"WE HAVE ONE LIFE"

As TİP, we will continue our struggle in every possible arena. We will not give up on the law, the Parliament, or the streets. We will never stop telling the truth to the people and exposing the criminals.

Everywhere, in every arena, and with every tool, we will continue our struggle with determination both against the fact that our comrade and MP Can Atalay has been taken prisoner and against the group of masked criminals who have perched themselves at the top of our country.

I call on all political parties, MPs, legal institutions, legal professionals, unions, democratic mass organizations, and every single citizen to stand together against this cruelty and tyranny. There is nothing to fear. 'We have one life, and we are not going to give it to them.'"