REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

MINISTER TUNÇ: REFORM IS THE HEART BEAT OF JUSTICE, JUSTICE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT REFORM

Expressing that realization of a modern, more innovative, swift, transparent and fair judicial system is aimed with the Judicial Reform Strategy Document, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç said “Justice cannot live without reform. Reform is the heart beat of justice, the unique rhythm that keeps it alive”.

Minister Tunç made a speech in the Judicial Reform Strategy Introductory Meeting held in Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center with the participation of the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Minister of Justice Tunç noted that threatening speeches that damage the right to fair trial, target justice members, aim to affect judicial processes are never accepted in state of law.

Wishing Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives during the fire disaster occurred in Bolu Kartalkaya and swift recovery to those who were injured, Minister of Justice Tunç said “Nobody should have a doubt that those who caused such a catastrophe, who have negligence and fault in any shape or form, will account for before justice”.

HUMAN EXISTS WITH JUSTICE, RISES WITH THE VIRTUE OF JUSTICE

Emphasizing that the oldest and ancient search of the history of humanity is justice, Minister of Justice Tunç defined justice as “the main pillar of civilizations, conscience of societies and essence of being a human”.

Saying that “Human exists with justice, rises with the virtue of justice”, Minister of Justice Tunç said that just as in every other field Türkiye went a long way in justice services in 23 years.

Stating that in the period in question, tutelary judiciary understanding was abandoned and judiciary had a structure which based on democratic state of law principles, Minister of Justice expressed that fundamental rights and freedoms were expanded, guarantees of freedom of expression and right to protection of reputation were increased.

Noting that moved from old, obsolete and rental court house buildings to places which are modern and technologically advanced and the fundamental laws are renovated in line with the needs, Minister Tunç stated that access of all parts of the society to justice is strengthened.  

REFORMS HAVE BEEN REALIZED IN MANY AREAS IN LINE WITH THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE SOCIETY

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç stated that alternative dispute resolution methods have been made widespread, great progress has been made in digitalization steps in the judiciary such as the National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP), e-Hearing and e-Notification, and new courts have been established by increasing the number of judges and public prosecutors to meet the workload of the judiciary.

Stating that the Legal Professions Entrance Examination and the Assistant Judge-Prosecutor systems were put into service in order to strengthen the human resources in the judiciary, Minister Tunç said, “Reforms have been realized in many areas, including the modern penal execution system, in line with the expectations of the society. Today, we are determined to carry these efforts even further in our Judicial Reform Strategy Document, which we have prepared with the vision of an undelayed and predictable justice system based on the rule of law.”

THE JUDICIAL REFORM STRATEGY DOCUMENT INCLUDES 264 ACTIVITIES

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç stated that the need for reform in the justice system arises from the changing needs and demands of the society, and that the way to meet these demands and operate the system in an ideal way requires a dynamic and constantly renewed approach.

Minister Tunç, who said “Justice cannot survive without reform. Reform is the pulse of justice, the only rhythm that keeps it alive.”, indicated that they aim to realize a more innovative, faster, transparent and fair judicial system in line with the requirements of the age with the Judicial Reform Strategy Document.

Stating that the Judicial Reform Strategy Document is the product of a consultation process with wide participation for more than a year, Minister of Justice Tunç said, “Within this scope, we examined national and international developments in the field of justice, conducted detailed analyses and surveys. We also took into account the reports and evaluations of the European Union, the Council of Europe, the Venice Commission and other international organizations.”

Describing the Judicial Reform Strategy Document as a “vision document”, Minister Tunç said: “The Judicial Reform Strategy we have prepared includes 264 activities ranging from legal regulation requests to administrative practices. We will implement all these activities with determination, adhering to a certain schedule with our action plans through the monitoring and evaluation system we will establish.”

OUR JUDICIARY WILL CONTINUE TO PERFORM ITS DUTY WITH DETERMINATION

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç stated that in recent days, members of the judiciary have been targeted by some judicial investigations, and unfounded statements have been made that have no place in the rule of law.

Emphasizing that these actions are unacceptable, Minister Tunç noted:

"Threatening statements that undermine the right to a fair trial, target members of the judiciary and seek to influence judicial processes are never acceptable in a state of law. No one should be concerned regarding our determination to protect the independence of judicial bodies and to take the necessary legal steps against all kinds of pressure and interference attempts against the judiciary. The Republic of Türkiye is a state of law. In the last 23 years, major reforms have been carried out for the consolidation of the rule of law and the establishment of a high standard democracy based on national will.

Instead of the judiciary who supported the putschist, tutelary mentality on May 27, September 12 and February 28, today we have an independent and impartial judiciary that stood by the national will on July 15, rushed to the courthouses that night and gave detention orders against the putschists, and we are proud of their heroism. Even if those who long for the times of administrative tutelage are disturbed by this reality, our judiciary will continue to perform its duties with determination in line with the principles of independence and impartiality."