Yılmaz Tunç’s statement on the 11th Judicial Package: Will organized crimes be included in the package?
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç stated that the 11th Judicial Package contains provisions aimed at strengthening social peace, noting that regulations regarding the protection of children from crime within the scope of organized activities are included in the package. He emphasized that the regulation regarding Covid leave is not an amnesty.
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Responding to questions from members of the press at the AKP Group Meeting, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç stated that the 11th Judicial Package will be enacted according to the status of Parliament and the discretion of the deputies. Tunç noted that the articles contained in the package are aimed at increasing the safety and peace of society.
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES
Minister Tunç drew attention to the regulations in the package specifically regarding the protection of children from crime within the scope of organized activities. Tunç said, “The new regulation contains articles aimed at reinforcing social peace. There is an important regulation regarding the protection of children from crime, especially concerning the increase of penalties within the scope of organized activities. Other articles will take shape after the work of the Parliamentary Research Commission.”
COVID-19 LEAVE REGULATION IS NOT AN AMNESTY
Stating that the regulation regarding Covid-19 leave has been misrepresented in the public eye, Tunç emphasized that this is not an amnesty. The Minister explained the purpose of the regulation as follows:
“This is not an amnesty. The goal is for individuals who committed crimes on the same date and are in the same situation to be subject to the same sanctions. With the regulation made in 2020, probation was increased from 1 year to 3 years, with some crimes being excluded. Until July 2023, Covid leave was extended every two months. As of July 31, 2023, those among the convicts on leave outside who had 5 years remaining on their sentences did not return to prison. Those in prison and those whose sentences were finalized benefited from this right; however, those who committed crimes on the same date but whose trials were ongoing could not. For this reason, a regulation aimed at ensuring equality has come to the agenda.”
ORGANIZED CRIMES ARE NOT IN THE PACKAGE
Minister Tunç also denied allegations that organized crimes would be included in the package. Tunç said, “We are not making changes to the regulation regarding which crimes will be included. In the previous regulation, organized crimes were excluded; it is the same in this package.”