YENİ Party Aydın MP Süleyman Bülbül has brought the remarks of Ankara Bar Association No. 2 President Gökhan Ağdemir, who stated, “We made 70 of our members judges and prosecutors,” to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
In the parliamentary question he submitted for Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek to answer, Bülbül requested clarification regarding allegations of favoritism in the interview processes for judge and prosecutor recruitment. The motion stated that these statements have raised questions in the public eye regarding judicial independence, merit, and equal opportunity.
Emphasizing that the processes for the selection and appointment of judge and prosecutor candidates must be conducted transparently and fairly, Bülbül asked whether the allegations that members of the Ankara Bar Association No. 2 received preferential treatment during the admission processes would be investigated.
These statements, which create the impression that favoritism is granted to any bar association or group in the selection and appointment of judicial members, damage the sense of justice among thousands of candidates preparing for exams and cast doubt on the reliability of the processes.
QUESTIONS DIRECTED AT THE MINISTRY
In his motion, Bülbül asked whether the Ministry of Justice has conducted an administrative assessment regarding Gökhan Ağdemir’s statements and whether an investigation will be launched into the relevant parties.
The motion also requested the disclosure of the distribution of candidates accepted into the profession over the last two years, following the completion of written exams and interview processes for judges and prosecutors, categorized by bar association and province.
- - It was asked how many candidates from among the members of the Istanbul Bar Association No. 2, established in 2020, and the Ankara Bar Association No. 2, established in 2021, were eligible to enter the interviews, and how many of these candidates were accepted into the profession.
- - It was requested that it be explained whether interview and evaluation commissions take candidates' bar association membership, civil society connections, or professional affiliations into account as criteria.
- - It was asked whether an ex officio investigation has been initiated by the Ministry or the Council of Judges and Prosecutors regarding allegations of favoritism that would undermine equal opportunity in recruitment for the judicial organization.
- - The issue of whether there is any legislative work aimed at making candidates' interview scores and evaluation minutes transparently accessible was brought to the agenda.
Stating that interview processes must be made auditable to protect trust in the judiciary, Bülbül expressed that the steps the Ministry will take in response to these allegations are of great importance to the public.
News Source: 12punto
