‘Framework law’ deliberations in the Turkish Parliament Justice Committee begin with disputes over venue and procedure

The Turkish Parliament (TBMM) Justice Committee convened under the chairmanship of AKP İstanbul Deputy Cüneyt Yüksel to discuss the “Bill on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration.” Deliberations on the proposal, known in the public eye as the “framework law,” began within the first minutes with objections regarding the capacity of the room and the committee's working procedures.

As there was congestion at the entrance to the meeting room, opposition deputies argued that the room was not suitable for the deliberations. İYİ Party Afyonkarahisar Deputy Hakan Şeref Olgun and Bursa Deputy Selçuk Türkoğlu reacted to Committee Chairman Yüksel, stating, “This cannot be done in this room, Mr. Chairman.”

In his opening speech, Committee Chairman Yüksel stated that the proposal aims to strengthen social peace within the framework of the principles of the rule of law. Arguing that the regulation does not constitute an amnesty, Yüksel said, “This proposal is not an amnesty regulation. There is no regulation here that eliminates conviction judgments, changes the legal nature of crimes, or removes criminal liability.”

Yüksel stated that the goal of a “Terror-Free Turkey” is not a short-term political discourse, but a strategic policy fed by the state's long-standing experience in counter-terrorism. Expressing that terrorism is not merely a security issue, Yüksel noted that the economic cost has exceeded 2.3 trillion dollars, and the average annual cost has risen above 50 billion dollars.

PROCEDURAL OBJECTION FROM THE OPPOSITION

Following Yüksel's speech, when he announced that he would give the floor to AKP Group Deputy Chairman Abdulhamit Gül, one of the first signatories of the proposal, opposition deputies requested the floor regarding the procedure. Speaking on behalf of the New Path Group (Yeni Yol Grubu), Ankara Deputy İdris Şahin objected to the setting of the committee agenda in this manner, stating that there were also deliberations in the Turkish Parliament General Assembly at the same hours that concerned the Justice Committee.

Şahin argued that the meeting calendar was not in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Claiming that the proposal constitutes an amnesty in terms of its results, Şahin pointed to Article 87 of the Constitution and requested clarification on whether the decisions to be taken in the committee would be made by a simple majority or a qualified majority.

İYİ Party Deputy Olgun, stating that the room should be changed, said, “This meeting cannot be held in this room, change the room.” İYİ Party Group Deputy Chairman Uğur Poyraz also reacted to Yüksel thanking the names who contributed to the process in his speech.

Committee Chairman Yüksel stated that the procedural debate would be opened after the speeches of the proposal owners. Responding to the criticisms regarding the room, Yüksel said that similar debates had taken place in previous committee works and that the seating capacity of the Planning and Budget Committee Room was similar. Yüksel noted that the Ceremony Hall was not a hall reserved for committee meetings and that the current practice was being maintained.

Following the discussions, Yüksel gave the floor to Abdulhamit Gül, one of the first signatories of the bill.

News Source: 12punto