Labor Party (EMEP) Gaziantep MP Sevda Karaca has brought the remarks of Ankara Bar Association No. 2 President Gökhan Ağdemir, who claimed they had "made 70 bar member lawyers judges and prosecutors in two years," to the parliamentary agenda.
In a parliamentary question submitted to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey for Justice Minister Akın Gürlek to answer, Karaca requested clarification on judicial and prosecutorial interviews and appointment processes in terms of the principles of merit, impartiality, and transparency.
In the motion, Karaca argued that Ağdemir's statement points to a picture shaped by "bar association references and ministry privileges," stating that judicial independence and impartiality are the fundamental conditions for trust in justice.
While thousands of young legal professionals sweat over written exams and successful candidates are eliminated in non-transparent interview rooms, the fact that those who find 'references' in the corridors of power and pro-government bar associations are made judges and prosecutors is proof that there is not even a need to hide the rot.
In her motion, Karaca also recalled allegations that close relatives of AKP officials had passed interviews in the past to become judges and prosecutors. She further stated that documents have surfaced regarding interview lists allegedly prepared by foundations and associations close to the government, such as TÜRGEV and TÜGVA, being forwarded to judicial institutions.
QUESTIONS DIRECTED TO THE MINISTRY
Karaca asked the Ministry of Justice whether special quotas or privileges were granted to the Ankara Bar Association No. 2, foundations and associations close to the government, or political party organs in judge and prosecutor exams.
The motion also included questions on whether the Ministry considers Ağdemir's statement, "The Ministry granted us privileges, we made 70 of our members judges and prosecutors in 2 years," as a criminal report or an admission of cadre-building; and whether any administrative investigation or inquiry has been initiated on this matter.
Karaca also requested the disclosure of how many of the judges and prosecutors accepted into the profession in the last five years have served as managers, members, or employees in political party organizations, pro-government bar associations, or foundations and associations.
Among the questions EMEP's Karaca directed to Minister Gürlek are how the situation of candidates who were eliminated in interviews despite ranking high in written exams will be compensated, and whether the current interview system will be changed.
News Source: 12punto
