Social media clash in the Turkish Parliament: Commission members trade barbs

The Turkish Parliament's National Unity, Solidarity and Democracy Commission, established to conduct the İmralı process, met today with the participation of bar associations. However, the invitation process and the posts made during the meeting raised tensions.

While Union of Turkish Bar Associations President Erinç Sağkan called for the "implementation of Constitutional Court and ECHR rulings" during the meeting, MHP Commission Member Feti Yıldız targeted Sağkan via social media.

MHP'S YILDIZ: "THE GOAL IS TO MAKE THE PKK LAY DOWN ITS ARMS"

Yıldız used the following expressions in his post:

"It is observed that some institutions invited to the commission do not fully understand the issue. The primary goal of this process is to ensure that the PKK, along with all its extensions, lays down its arms unconditionally and permanently. The aim is to end terrorism in the second century of our Republic and to build national unity on solid foundations."

CHP'S AKDOĞAN RESPONDED WITH A DOCUMENT

CHP Commission Member Umut Akdoğan reacted sharply to Yıldız's words. Reminding the commission of the procedures and principles accepted unanimously, Akdoğan said, "There is no distinction in the text between a primary goal and a secondary goal. All three goals have equal weight."

He listed the three main objectives of the text in question:

Removing terrorism completely from Turkey's agenda,

Strengthening social integration and consolidating national unity,

Conducting work in the fields of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

THE LARGEST BAR ASSOCIATIONS WERE LEFT OUT

In addition to the Istanbul No. 2 and Ankara No. 2 Bar Associations, the Presidents of the Bingöl, Diyarbakır, Hatay, Malatya, Mardin, Mersin, Van, and Sivas Bar Associations attended the meeting. However, the fact that the 65,000-member Istanbul No. 1 Bar Association was invited at the last minute and could not attend due to lack of preparation time drew significant backlash.

The inclusion of only the 3,000-member Istanbul No. 2 Bar Association, known for its proximity to the AKP, in the commission caused harsh criticism from the opposition.

"THERE CAN BE NO SOCIAL PEACE WITH NO. 2 BAR ASSOCIATIONS"

CHP Commission Member Gökçe Gökçen reacted to the process in a post from the commission hall, stating the following:

"The National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission should not proceed by only listening to representatives. As stated in the working procedures and principles, it must move forward in line with freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. A process in which the largest bar associations do not take part and where only the views of the so-called No. 2 bar associations are taken will not contribute to social peace. The Turkish Parliament must fulfill its responsibility."

News Source: 12punto