Legal expert Figen Çalıkuşu: We were never this besieged and collapsed under the parliamentary system

Meeting with book lovers in Balıkesir, legal expert and author Figen Çalıkuşu stated that Turkey must return to a parliamentary system, adding, "If society had been in solidarity regarding democratic rights and freedoms, institutions would not have been this besieged."

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Legal expert Figen Çalıkuşu: We were never this besieged and collapsed under the parliamentary system

Speaking at the "Law and Turkey" talk held at the 1st Balıkesir Book Fair, organized jointly by the Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality and the Balıkesir City Council, Karar newspaper columnist Çalıkuşu observed, "We have always tried to protect our Republic for 100 years. We tried to protect the Republic, but we failed to build a state of law and a democratic foundation." Stating that the only place for the public to seek refuge is the law, Figen Çalıkuşu said, "It is the political institution that will make the law robust. Look, the laws that came with the 1980 coup are still in effect today. On the other hand, the Law on Political Parties should be more libertarian. We had problems in the system of separation of powers—legislative, executive, and judiciary—but we were never this besieged and collapsed," she said.

'WE MUST RESIST UNTIL WE RETURN TO THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM'

Pointing out that if society had been in solidarity regarding democratic rights and freedoms, institutions would not have been as besieged as they are today, Çalıkuşu said, "The Presidential Government System must end, and we must return to the parliamentary system. This is not possible without a constitutional amendment." Emphasizing that as long as this system continues, we cannot have any expectation that legal rules will be applied, Figen Çalıkuşu said, "We must continue to resist in life until we return to the parliamentary system."

'LAWLESSNESS BRINGS LONELINESS AND POVERTY'

Reminding that peace and prosperity in a country are only possible if that country's institutions are independent and the public is not exploited, legal expert Figen Çalıkuşu concluded her talk with the words, "The importance of law holds a very essential place in our lives. Lawlessness affects all of our lives significantly in terms of isolation and impoverishment."

Following her talk, Çalıkuşu signed her book titled "15 July Judiciary in 101 Questions" for her readers.

News Source: 12punto