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 Former Prime Ministry Human Rights Commission head Associate Professor Vahit Bicak reiterated his reaction to the draft act prepared by the Ministry of Justice, emphasizing that Turkey does not need outright bans but liberalist regulations. Bicak reminding that the British had taken a step back on the issue said Turkey should also not insist on implementing this wrongful act.
(Today's Zaman, 08.11.2005) The Counter-Terrorism Act causing widespread public reaction and objection from political parties in power and in the opposition has been withdrawn in Britain, and now all eyes turn to a similar act prepared in Turkey inspired by London.
Lawyers in Turkey have called for the removal of the act, which created anxiety relating to fears of possible nationwide Martial law for an indefinite period, from the agenda. Former Prime Ministry Human Rights Commission head Associate Professor Vahit Bicak reiterated his reaction to the draft act prepared by the Ministry of Justice, emphasizing that Turkey does not need outright bans but liberalist regulations. Bicak reminding that the British had taken a step back on the issue said Turkey should also not insist on implementing this wrongful act.
Contemporary Legalists Association President Huseyin Bicen drew attention to the fact that Turkey had tried to adapt the draft despite it being a badly prepared example in the UK. "Britain returned from making a mistake. Turkey should also adapt these kinds of positive developments." Law and Democracy Foundation head lawyer Mehmet Akif Yilmaz said the British withdrawal of the act clearly proves that the concerns voiced in Turkey were right.
A series of terrorist attacks that occurred last July in the UK had urged the government to prepare the bill for the Counter-Terrorism Act; however, the draft act was withdrawn without ever being introduced to the British Parliament following immense criticism by international human rights organizations and political parties in the country. This development found audience in Turkey as well, as legalists criticized the Turkish version of a similar act based on similar concerns. "Turkey should decide whether freedom or authority will bring prosperity to society," stressed Bicak, "We are coming from an authoritarian state tradition. Regulation in the fight against terror will pave the way for martial law in the country. On the contrary, in Britain, democracy has already settled in and shifts by authority cannot disturb the liberal nature of the system."
Second Chief of General Staff General Ilker Basbug in the meeting held on 19 July 2005 had questioned the legal arrangements in the country pointing at the British act of counter terrorism. A Justice Ministry commission constituted for the purpose prepared a draft similar to the one prepared in Britain. Public reaction, however, and criticism in the media forced the ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, to form an investigation committee. The Counter-Terrorism Act committee chair AKP vice president Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat drew attention that some of the legal arrangements in the draft prepared by the Ministry are unacceptable in terms of human rights and freedoms.
Reduction in 90-day detention period
Reportedly, the British government will head a serious of changes in the controversial act. The Independent claimed Prime Minister Tony Blair will accept the removal of the clause related to detaining suspects in custody for a 90-day period without being charged or tried. On the other hand on Monday, the British Prime Minister asked the opposition not to object to the 90-day detention period, declaring that it served the interest of the country. Some Labor Party deputies and Conservatives along with the Liberal Democrats had fiercely criticized the ambiguous definitions and the act"™s limitations on basic freedoms. British parliamentarians said they will reject the draft act, after which time, the government had withdrawn it. Amnesty International accused Blair of an attack against the independence of judiciary, supremacy of the law and human rights. The Guardian voiced Liberal Party leader Charles Kennedy"™s remark that the tradition of balance and tolerance should not be victimized for al-Qaeda.
08.11.2005
Foreign News Desk, Murat Aydin Istanbul, Ankara |
