10th Judicial Package on its way to Parliament: Will there be an amnesty? Here are the details

Developments regarding a general amnesty and execution regulation remain on the agenda. While inmates and their families closely follow news of a general amnesty, AKP Group Chairman Abdullah Güler responded to questions about the agenda with his latest statements. So, what regulations are included in the 10th Judicial Package? Which articles does it cover, and when will it come into effect? Here are the latest developments on the subject...

WHAT IS THE CONTENT OF THE NEW EXECUTION REGULATION?

Minister Tunç stated that they are taking important steps, especially to eliminate the perception of impunity in society. He expressed that in the fight against criminal networks that disturb the nation, they have work on their agenda to meet the legislative needs of the judiciary in coordination with law enforcement agencies.

Furthermore, emphasizing that they will present various proposals within the scope of the Judicial Reform Strategy Document, Tunç drew attention to the efforts being carried out to fully implement a predictable, fast, and reliable justice system.

Minister Tunç stated that in the coming days, AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will share with the public the goals of the Judicial Reform Strategy Document, which will cover the years 2024-2028, and made the following remarks:

"Before that, we will share and mature it with our parliamentary group, our Central Executive Board, and our Cabinet. Here, we will have certain goals, especially in terms of the criminal justice system, increasing effectiveness in crime prevention and investigation, and enhancing the deterrent effect of penalties. We have shared the work done on this with our Central Executive Board members; there were questions asked by our members regarding current issues, especially concerning ongoing investigations, and we clarified them. In the coming period, there will be important regulations regarding the criminal justice system within the Judicial Reform Strategy Document. If there are reasons stemming from our legislation regarding conditional release, probation, and good conduct practices, we will mature these in the coming period within our Cabinet, our parliamentary group, and with our Central Executive Board members, and we will submit these draft studies (some of which will require legal regulations) to the appreciation of our group in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The authority to make laws in this system belongs exclusively to our Parliament."

WILL THERE BE A GENERAL AMNESTY?

AKP Group Chairman in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Abdullah Güler, met with media representatives at the "Anatolian Conversations" program organized by the Anatolian Broadcasters Federation.

Responding to the question on the agenda, "Will there be an amnesty?", Güler said: "There is no such issue as an amnesty on our agenda right now. Our penal execution law already contains certain regulations for inmates who are terminally ill, bedridden, or in need of care to the extent that they cannot meet their vital needs. Under the authority of our President and in line with the reports of the Council of Forensic Medicine, the release of inmates with serious health problems is permitted, as was the case with the February 28 generals. This is already applicable to ensure that treatment and care processes can be provided."

Güler continued his statements as follows:

"But I do not think it is right to carry this out by linking it only to this from today. You cannot evaluate this by making a distinction between crimes in the current penal execution regulation. You do not determine the form of the execution regulation by looking at the crime the person committed. Whether it is a terror offender or a common criminal, you have to execute the same penalty within these conditions and in the context of the same human rights characteristics; you cannot make a distinction there."